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Political Violence – Oppose It

Posted on Wednesday, October 26, 2022
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by AMAC, Robert B. Charles
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Political Violence

Political violence – unacceptable in America – arises in societies where “rule of law” is not respected, leaders not trusted, and those who guide public dialogue – politicians and media – permit it. We cannot become that place.

Indicators of political violence have grown since mid-2020. Most disturbing is this “chicken and egg” idea, a tit-for-tat approach to justifying political violence. We need to nip that.

Today, countless media outlets report Republicans “started it,” citing the several hundred who overran the Capitol on January 6, 2021, against the backdrop of several hundred thousand who peacefully registered concern over COVID-driven election changes.

The rhetoric is now at fever pitch, with those who support Donald Trump or his “Make America Great Again” slogan – initially used by Ronald Reagan in 1980 – regularly demonized.

These law-abiding voters – 74 million in 2020 – have been called by a Democrat President, Speaker of the House, and Senate Majority Leader “enemies of the state,” “a threat to democracy,” and “extremists.”

If nothing else, the references are petty. But the aim can be interpreted as more insidious, to ridicule opposing convictions, disparage hundreds of millions of Americans for their faith, belief in the Constitution, unapologetic patriotism, centered on the Bill of Rights and accountability.

In rough alignment with Sol Alinsky’s “Rules for Radicals,” the aim looks to be chilling support for the opposing party by threatening to bring the coercive power of the State down on them, already happening to dozens who served in the Trump Administration and the former president.

To a student of history, the push to delegitimize a political movement that is centered on fair administration of laws, constitutionalism, preserving history, science, free speech, faith, sound borders, reduced crime, parent control in education, and a stable economy, is ominous.

When words like “enemy of the state” are used – just like Communist China declaring thousands of death sentences annually for their political opponents – the skin crawls. That reference could be accidental or innocuous, but it is surely un-American.

When words like “threat to democracy” are used, twisted to condemn those most hopeful, in the populist and Jeffersonian tradition, about preserving democracy, something is wrong.

When the comeback to legitimate requests for accountability, limited government, accord with the First, Second, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Tenth amendments in our Bill of Rights, is that these people – these everyday Americans – are “extremists,” something is woefully off track.

Sensibly, logically, objectively, empirically – the conclusion one draws is that tolerance for opposing opinions is not favored, not invited, not respected, and they will be suppressed.

Making things worse, this is done by leaders who pretend to have moral authority, who assert culture must be changed from the top down, as under communism, with words like “woman,” “girl,” “boy,” “Mom,” Dad,” “gender,” “illegal alien,” “illegal drug,” “terrorism,” and “racism” al redefined, always in the direction of reduced respect for biology, history, law, and logic.

Despite this tip to radical attacks on the opposing party, what seems an invitation to political violence, the half of our nation rudely disparaged has held in their frustration – with few slips.

Remarkably, this has been so, even as laws are selectively enforced – like those protecting justices of the Supreme Court, southern border, children from illegal drugs, civil rights of parents, police officers, parishes, and conservative speakers.

All this is to say, political rhetoric has gotten edgy, even provocative, an incitement to political violence.  But where did that come from? Leading Democrats say “Republicans.” Is that right?

For sure, Trump is opinionated, a disruptor of bureaucratic inertia, who pushed – through appointments, budgets, legislation, and challenges federal employees – that government must be accountable, smaller, more diffuse, closer to The People, less expensive, and liberty-centered.

He is not the first president to do so, but he did so in an unorthodox, often offensive way, calling out agency leaders, dressing down officials, questioning things not questioned, challenging people, including his political opponents.

His approach reflected newness to government, but he got big things done, helped all Americans, left a record of extraordinary economic, legal, regulatory, legislative, judicial, energy, foreign policy, and national security accomplishment – and across all demographics.

That is a mouthful, but true. So where did the business of permitting political violence begin? In truth, it started in 2020, with Democrat-supported race riots in 200 cities, defunding police. That was not from Trump or Republicans. 

The events of 2020 were fanned by activists, intent on political violence, dropping piles of bricks across cities, doing major damage to minority neighborhoods, leaving a path of carnage.

Chicken or egg? Did it begin with race riots and lockdowns? Maybe crushed expectations among Democrats in 2016, when Trump won? Or with Republicans in 2020? Is it again in prospect because one party does not want to lose power – and has turned shrill?

In the end, it does not matter. If you believe in America, rule of law, electing leaders worthy of our trust … If you believe in the Constitution, Supreme Court, citizenship, accountability, holding onto our institutions, we must stop inciting hatred and halt the drift to political violence. 

Why? Political violence erodes respect, trust, and order, excuses crackdowns, and is the real “enemy of the state,” “threat to democracy,” and definition of “extremism.” Americans know it. Biden knows it. We all need to turn the volume down. Enough said. And don’t forget to vote!

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David Millikan
David Millikan
1 year ago

The VIOLENCE is BACKED by FASCIST liberals and DICTATOR Beijing biden.
Why do think that DICTATOR Beijing biden has TERRORIST antifa and TERRORIST blm on speed dial.
Oh, can’t forget George Soros who funds a lot of it with their COMMUNIST CHINA buddies.

Dan W.
Dan W.
1 year ago

When did political violence involving race begin in this country ?

Perhaps post Civil War during and after Reconstruction; or maybe only 100 years ago in Tulsa, Oklahoma; or maybe in the 1960s in Detroit or Los Angeles or in 1968 in Chicago but well before 2020.

Diana Kurth
Diana Kurth
1 year ago

I agree with the gist of your article. Thank you for writing and publishing it. I can hope that I can possibly share this with some of my acquaintances, friends and possibly family and relatives. I know that I have seen the damaging consequences of many policies (which should not have ever been approved of and…) implemented in my own community. Then some of my relatives have even seen even more dangerous activities and crime in their communities. You cannot really argue with experience and obvious, literal, “hard” evidence of detrimental behaviors and policies.

Max
Max
1 year ago

This nation continues to be divided. The adversary will continue its evil and confusing rhetoric on the public so as to maintain confusion.

Stephen Russell
Stephen Russell
1 year ago

Agreed BUT Dems &^Radicals WANT IT

Steve Rossiter
Steve Rossiter
1 year ago

The problem is that the Constitutional government of the United States of America has collapsed when government agencies are the perpetrators of so much of the lawlessness in America. The Founding Fathers warned us 250 years ago that their government design only worked as long as honorable and virtuous people remained in control. Is there equal justice under the law in America today? If you think so, you’re not paying attention. Do America’s elected and bureaucrat official lie to us? It would seem so. Does free speech exist in America? It seems that government sanctioned censorship is running wild by proxy. My article below discusses these topics more thoroughly. Originally published in the Canada Free Press in early 2021.

canadafreepress.com/article/when-all-legal-remedies-are-exhausted

anna hubert
anna hubert
1 year ago

Political violence has been used by those trying to push destructive ideology for longest time It is the only tool they have

Mary Annie
Mary Annie
1 year ago

Here is one of the things that was said following NBA great, Bill Russell’s recent death.

“And we hope each of us can find a new way to act or speak up with Bill’s uncompromising, dignified and always constructive commitment to principle.”

I may not have agreed with all that he said, but having said it in a dignified way, he
likely got people’s attention and respect. I, for one, look to our leaders to lead with dignity and commitment.

Michael Lewis
Michael Lewis
1 year ago

 The media does lie, spike news stories that portray the left in a bad light, hype and distort news stories that portray conservatives in a bad light and censor conservative voices!

Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis: “Our government is the potent, omnipresent teacher. For good or ill it teaches the whole people by its example.”

Justice is no longer equal for all. Best examples, why aren’t Hillary Clinton and Hunter Biden in jail?

I am an old man and do not want violence. If violence can be avoided praise God. If not, I pray Americans still value the Constitution and Bill of Rights sufficiently to do the necessary:

The “tree of liberty” phrase was originally used in a letter from Thomas Jefferson written two months before the drafting of the Constitution in 1787. The full quote reads, The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.

Gunny Joe
Gunny Joe
1 year ago

I would ask who has allowed the political elite and not so elite, the news, the schools to redefine words to support their political view?

Patricia A Arsenault
Patricia A Arsenault
1 year ago

I don’t give a rats ass what you want to call yourself. I’m sticking with what is called: get ready….COMMON SENSE! #AmericaFirst

Rich
Rich
1 year ago

It’s definitely time for America to re-learn how to sit down, listen to each others views even if we don’t agree, and move on. We must take the views that make the most sense and that help make our country great and implement them, not destroy our country with hatred and character assassinations. The socialist/democrats are the masters of the blame game and have used the Jan.6 “insurrection” to their advantage. This however will help defeat them in November.

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