The recent troubling events surrounding Boggy Creek Farm in Austin, Texas, where a conservative event hosted by the Texas Public Policy Foundation was met with aggressive backlash from leftist activists, resulting in serious threats against the farm owners. The situation highlights the escalating language and violence within political discourse, particularly towards conservatives.
• Increase in Hostility: A significant rise in derogatory language linking conservatives, particularly Trump, to fascism has been observed, especially in the last few years. This rhetoric appears to have real-world consequences, including threats and violence against individuals associated with conservative viewpoints.
• Incident at Boggy Creek Farm: On October 15, 2025, a Reddit post initiated a campaign against Boggy Creek Farm for hosting an event by the Texas Public Policy Foundation, labeling the organization as fascist. The post encouraged community members to pressure the farm to cancel the event.
• Response to Pressure: Following extensive online harassment and calls for boycotts, the farm's owners, Carol Ann Sayle and Larry Butler, canceled the event. They claimed they were unaware of the full affiliations of TPPF and expressed a desire to remain neutral politically.
• Escalation to Threats: After the cancellation, threats escalated against the farm, including death threats aimed at employees and their families. The farm announced it would close temporarily due to the intense backlash and fear for safety. They reported potential losses of between $600 to $5,000 during this period.
• Irony of "Neutrality": Despite claiming political neutrality in their cancellation statement, the farm had previously hosted events for left-leaning organizations, which suggests a history of political engagement that contradicts their claim of a neutral stance.
• Normalization of Violence: The tactics of online harassment and violent threats are becoming normalized among activists in Austin, with language labeling opponents as "fascists" contributing to a justification for harmful actions.
• Call for Accountability: The author urges conservatives to respond with facts rather than rage and to stand up against this dangerous rhetoric. There's a strong call for Democrats and leftist individuals to reconsider the language they use, as it has serious implications for societal discourse and safety.
The episode at Boggy Creek Farm serves as a cautionary tale about the growing hostility in political debate, especially towards conservatives. The increase in dehumanizing language can lead to serious threats and violence, demonstrating the need for accountable discourse in the public sphere.
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