Si-Fi Author Paul McGrath Takes on Guns, Militias & Politics
by Bob Gatty
What if it took visitors from another planet to confront the problems we refuse to solve here on Earth?
That’s the provocative premise behind author Paul McGrath’s Terran Incognito series—and the focus of my latest Lean to the Left podcast interview.
McGrath, a veteran journalist who spent nearly five decades in the newsroom, has turned to fiction to explore some of the most urgent and divisive issues facing America today: gun violence, extremist militias, human trafficking, and political dysfunction.
And he does it through the eyes of aliens.
🚨 A “What If” That Hits Close to Home
At the heart of McGrath’s storytelling is a simple but powerful question:
👉 What if all civilian guns in America suddenly disappeared?
In his novels, that’s exactly what happens.
The result? Chaos, fear, and a desperate scramble for power. Militias regroup. Criminal enterprises adapt. And society is forced to confront just how deeply embedded gun culture has become.
It’s fiction—but it doesn’t feel far from reality.
⚖️ Accountability—Taken to the Extreme
One of the most striking ideas McGrath raises isn’t about aliens at all. It’s about accountability.
In our conversation, he discusses a scenario in which members of Congress are required to serve as pallbearers for children killed in school shootings.
Let that sink in.
Would forcing lawmakers to face the human cost of inaction finally lead to meaningful gun reform?
It’s a disturbing thought—but that’s exactly the point.
📚 From Journalism to Fiction
McGrath spent decades as a journalist, where objectivity and fairness were essential. But like many reporters, he had opinions he couldn’t fully express in the newsroom.
Now, through fiction, he’s found a new voice.
“I let my characters say the things I couldn’t say,” he told me.
That freedom allows him to weave real-world issues into imaginative narratives—creating stories that entertain while also challenging readers to think more deeply about the world around them.
🧠 Fiction Meets Reality
What makes McGrath’s work so compelling is how closely it mirrors current events.
His stories incorporate:
- Right-wing militias and extremist groups
- Human trafficking networks
- Political polarization and disinformation
- The growing disconnect between leadership and accountability
At times, it’s hard to tell where fiction ends and reality begins.
And that’s not an accident.
🌎 What Would Outsiders See?
By using alien characters as observers—and sometimes participants—McGrath offers a unique perspective on American society.
What would outsiders think of our politics? Our priorities? Our inability to solve problems that seem obvious from the outside?
It’s a clever device that strips away partisanship and forces readers to see familiar issues in a new light.
🎙️ Watch the Full Interview
This was one of the most engaging and thought-provoking conversations I’ve had in a while—equal parts entertaining and unsettling.
If you care about where this country is headed, you’ll want to hear what Paul McGrath has to say.
👉 Watch the full interview here.
👉Listen to the full interview here.
📣 Join the Conversation
What do you think?
- Would extreme accountability measures change anything?
- Has America reached a point where fiction feels more honest than politics?
- Are we ignoring solutions that might seem obvious to outsiders?
Drop your thoughts in the comments—and don’t forget to share this post.
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