Webster’s Dictionary: FALSE FLAG- noun: a hostile or harmful action (such as an attack) that is designed to look like it was perpetrated by someone other than the person or group responsible for it.
It is beyond disappointing to see local Republican Representative Steve Gist blaming the “left” for the recent assassination of Democratic Representative and former Speaker of the House in Minnesota, Melissa Hortman, and her husband in their suburban home. Democratic Senator John Hoffman and his wife were wounded at their home the same evening.
Background On The Assassinated Legislators And Alleged Perpetrator
In the 2023 legislative session, Rep. Hortman helped to pass legislation which expanded abortion rights, legalized recreational marijuana, and made employers in Minnesota offer paid medical and family leave. Sen. Hoffman was a fourth term senator and served as the chair of the Human Services Committee.
Fifty-seven-year-old Vance Boelter was arrested two days after the shootings. When Boelter arrived at the victims’ homes, he was driving a black SUV with flashing police lights. Authorities said he disguised himself as a police officer wearing a tactical vest with a badge, black gloves, and a mask. He allegedly also went to two additional public officials’ homes but did not succeed in shooting them. In his vehicle police found a list of 70 potential targets.
A close friend said that Boelter voted for Trump in the last election and was a strong opponent of abortion rights. In the late 1980s, he enrolled at Christ for the Nations Institute, an unaccredited institution rooted in the Pentecostal tradition. He posted some of his sermons online. In one he said, “There’s people, especially in America, they don’t know what sex they are, they don’t know their sexual orientation, they’re confused. The enemy has gotten so far into their mind and their soul.” Authorities also said he and his wife are “doomsday preppers.”
Politicians and Propagandists Blame The “Left” For the Killings
Shortly after the attack, U.S. Senator Mike Lee of Utah released a post on X saying, “This is what happens when Marxists don’t get their way” along with a picture of Boelter wearing a latex face mask. He issued a second post with a photo of Boetler under the caption, “Nightmare on Waltz Street,” an apparent reference to Minnesota’s Democratic Governor and former candidate for Vice President. Elon Musk also weighed in, posting on X, “The far left is murderously violent.”
Lee subsequently removed the posts. He was roundly condemned around the country and in editorial comments from the Deseret News, Utah’s leading news paper. Elon Musk , of course, could give a shit.
Local Legislator, Gist Joins In, Promoting The False Flag Conspiracy
Montana Republican Representative Steve Gist engaged in his own little false flag operation. Regarding the assassinations in Minnesota, Gist uploaded a post saying, “The Extreme Left is sure pushing their luck, time to go after the head of the snake.” Below that heading, he copied a post from David J Harris Jr., a far-right national propagandist.
The Montana Democratic Party issued the following statement about Gist’s post, “The Montana Democratic Party is aware of Representative Steve Gist’s social media post and unequivocally condemns his violent, incendiary rhetoric.
Violence has no place in our democracy, and the language used in Gist’s post stokes division and contributes to the extremist toxicity that exists online and perpetuates political violence.
We are appalled by the silence from Montana Republican leaders and call on Senator Daines, Senator Tim Sheehy, Governor Gianforte, Senate President Matt Regier, House Speaker Brandon Ler, and MTGOP Chair Don Kaltschmidt to denounce Gist’s actions.”
The Missoulian interviewed Gist about his post. Gist said he was referring to “dark money,” but then went on to say, “It’s political warfare, you know, unfortunately. You don’t ever stop it, and it’s gotta stop.” Hard to imagine how it is going to stop if our politicians engage in the kind of propaganda Gist is circulating.
WTF406.com has written about Gist previously, questioning his eligibility to run for his legislative seat representing the town of Cascade and surrounding area, since his business and campaign were run out of a house he owned in Whitefish where his wife lived. https://wtf406.com/2022/10/where-in-the-world-does-steve-gist-really-live/