Thread by @ARCCollective

As the election unfolded and it became increasingly apparent that the Liberals would win a third mandate (and second minority) the online rhetoric turned inevitably to claiming the election was rigged. 1/

In fact the claim the election had been rigged preceded this election and had already been retconned to explain the Liberal win in 2019 and the majority it won in 2015. 2/

The "rigged election" mantra existed before in these circles but really took off in Canada in large part to the "Big Lie" that Donald Trump was cheated out the win in the 2020 presidential race. 3/

Canadians who accept Trump's "Big Lie" also embrace the belief that the same dark forces who opposed Trump are also at work in this country. 4/

For example, despite using paper ballots in every federal election, Dominion Voting machines have been claimed to have changed votes in this country. 5/

It also shouldn't be surprising that other populist authoritarians are going down this route as well. 6/

cnn.com/2021/08/06/ame…

It is then perhaps ironic that while the far-right continue to embrace the "Big Lie", it continues to be shown to be what it is. A lie.

The truth however continues to be denied. 7/

thehill.com/homenews/campa…

The phenomenon is of course worrisome for a variety of reasons, not the least being the danger that people who believe that unless their favoured candidate wins that the election is invalid thus damaging the very concept of democracy. 8/

And if democracy isn't a viable means to enact change, then the alternative is one where violence is perceived as being the only solution.

Which brings us now to Pat King. 9/

10/

On the night of the election when the media called the election for the Liberals, King did a livestream where he claimed that they new the election would be fixed. 11/

12/

The rationale is very much rooted in the Trump "Big Lie." 13/

More than embracing the big lie however is King's rather ominous pronouncements. 14/

"I'm asking for forgiveness for the things that I have to do." 15/

"We have been at this battle for a long time and I know what's coming and I know where we are about to go." 16/

"I'm about to do something tomorrow... that will hopefully put a stall or at least slow down what's about to come." 17/

What that "something" he planned to do was likely alluded to in these two clips. 18/

Something something CIA flag. 19/

He claims that he has to "drop something off" before returning to Alberta. 20/

Later, and though I haven't confirmed this, Chris Saccoccia's surety posted a video suggesting King had "filed papers" to make Alberta an independent country which isn't really a thing an unemployed grifter can do. 21/

FYI, being called a grifter seems to get under Pat's skin.

I'm sure that he is "done!" Like, "in all honesty!" and "100%!" 22/

The remainder of the video is a wink and a nod to armed insurrection.

And I mean that literally. 23/

Be sure to use codes. 24/

"Go hunting." 25/

He urges supporters to build an underground network... then realized that saying "build an underground" isn't really all that coded. 26/

They have a plan. They have always had a plan apparently.

While I'm not sure that is actually true, Pat does continue to go down the conspiracy theory rabbit hole. 27/

Pat implies, as he often does, that he is FAR more important than he actually is.

Given how insignificant most of these people are, it shouldn't be a surprise that Pat has convinced himself he is a central figure in a great struggle.

That belief makes him feel important. 28/

Yeah Pat, I'm not sure I would trust your heart OR your brain at this point. 29/

The next day King continued down the rabbit hole of conspiracy-based paranoia. Now he is asking for military movements because he has heard of military movements around military bases which, well, doesn't seem especially uncommon. 30/

31/

32/

Most alarming however is that Pat us urging his supporters to "monitor" hospitals suggesting that nefarious activities are occurring with in, evidence of which will come to light IF the nurses tell the truth. 33/

Finally, Pat thinks that Premier @jkenney will "pencil" Pat in for a meeting because Pat has documents to deliver to him and a message from "a friend." 34/

I'll address this "friend" in a later thread, but suffice it to say King is absolutely convinced that he has solved some sort of Gordian Knot. 35/

And he is really resentful and pouty when challenged as per usual. 36/

So, yes, we can laugh at Pat and his sense of self-importance. However we also have to recognize the dangers posed by people like King who have been in large part radicalized by unfiltered conspiracy woo on social media. 37/
cbc.ca/news/politics/…

Relevant further reading. 38/

https://twitter.com/StephanieCarvin/status/1441833170295472130?s=20