Message to Rioters and Looters
We really must end the hypocrisy about political violence. If we cannot unite behind a common understanding that political violence of ALL kinds, including violent protests, is an attack on our democracy – and a crime – we do not have a nation. We do not have a common culture. And we do not have a civil society.
We should not nullify laws or stop the wheels of justice based on a claim that the violence is “for a good cause.”
In fact, those who engage in violent protests are harming the causes they purport to be championing.
Of course, we understand that rioters do not give a rat’s ass about the cause. They are there to loot and burn out of greed or anger. They get perverse pleasure – a pathetic sense of personal power — by damaging property and toppling statues.
Once they engage in violent and destructive activities or protests… once they break the law in the name of any cause … They are no longer demonstrators or protestors. They are low-life criminals.
The arsonists, the looters and the vandals are bad enough. But we also have too many in our society that make excuses for them. There are people who justify the violence as a means to a noble end. We have seen generation upon generation of urban protest that devolved into riots. And those on the left constantly claim justification … sympathy … and undeserved tolerance.
As we talk about enablers, we should remember…
CNN’s Chris Cuomo saying “Who says protests have to be peaceful.”
Or Congresswoman Maxine Waters commissioning her followers to accost Republicans in public. “To get out and create a crowd and you push back on them and tell them they are not welcome anymore, anywhere.”
Then there is New York Democrat Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley saying that “there needs to be unrest in the streets.”
And even House Speaker Nancy Pelosi lamenting, “I just don’t know why there are not uprisings all over the country. Maybe there should be.” These are not the voices of calm and comity.
As a conservative, I am more than a little angered. I am angered at those who turned a demonstration on Capitol Hill into a destructive and deadly riot. I hope that they will be identified, prosecuted and incarcerated to the full extent of the law appropriate to the individual crimes they committed.
Those who did NOT engage in violence on Capitol Hill – and came and left peacefully – can claim patriotism. So can the thousands who have peacefully protested over the years for civil rights, women’s rights, gay rights, safe borders, honest elections, opposition to wars, Covid-19 lockdowns etc.
We individually may not agree with all the various causes. But to assemble, speak and protest peacefully – respectful of the rights of their fellow citizens — makes all of them patriots by virtue of their devotion to the Constitution and the rights of others.
I am personally offended by those who may have pre-planned to carry out violent protests on Capitol Hill.
They have damaged the conservative cause. They have enabled the enemies of conservative governance to demonize a political movement of limited government and personal freedom that has its roots in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
And they have aided and abetted those who would transition America into a top-down system ruled by an elitist class. Those committing violence on Capitol Hill are not conservatives – and they are definitely not patriots.
The same is true of those on the left who have been burning, looting and killing in our major cities. The greatest number — and the most violent and deadly – of civil disruptions have been associated with the quest for civil rights and equal justice.
And like those on Capitol Hill, the reprobates who hijacked peaceful protests to rampage have done as much harm to the legitimate civil rights movement. Just as the skinheads and neo-Nazis have done to patriotic conservatism.
1960s civil rights leader Whitney Young once said that America does not need coalitions of Blacks against coalitions of Whites … liberals against conservatives … Democrats against Republicans – but rather coalitions of good against the coalitions of evil. There is no better time to embrace his wise counsel.
So, there ‘tis.
I love this blog post!
And I totally agree that the seditious insurrection aimed at overturning the election has done incredible harm to the Republican Party and the “Conservative” movement in general. The majority of Americans are happy about this. It also exposes the hypocrisy of the “Blue Lives Matter” movement. The violent mob of terrorists proved that it was a lie.
I was also impressed that the the Republican Mob was able to achieve something that the Confederacy was never able to do, fly the Confederate flag on our Capital.
I am curious to see if the Republican lawmakers that provided recon tour to the terrorists will be prosecuted.
Great article Larry! I’m curious to see what compromises the Right is willing to make to come together!
Ben, whatever your purpose in posting here is, it’s nonsense, and I think you know it. Nice try, clown.
Actually kenm, you are the one whom is wrong here. I have been reading Ben’s posts for some time now. His purpose is to expose the truth and to expose the lies and hypocrisy of the conservative right. He respectfully promotes the values of most Americans. And I think he does it rather eloquently. And he does it without calling anyone name like you do. As an independent, non-partisan voter, it is posts like yours that use name calling, disrespectful posts by many conservatives that use foul language and promote lies, and Trump’s behavior during the first presidential debate that caused me to vote Biden. Independents are growing, and we are a large voting block that watches and evaluates the party positions, the grace of their leadership, as well as the behaviors of their membership. So if you want my vote, work on your behavior. Try showing me that you can truly respect someone with a different point of view. It starts with you raising the bar on your behavior!
Good point Ben. The Confederate Army of Va never got to the capital to raise the “Stars and Bars” as we call it down south, battlefield flag. Amazing that it was the Republican conservatives that willfully breached the people’s capital, raised a flag that represents enslavement, privilege, racism, and white rule. As an independent non-partisan voter, I often do not agree with liberal Democratic statements and policies. But I have never seen them march the racist Stars and Bars to the Capital of a country that brags to be “the worlds best chance”, “home of the brave”, “land of the free” ” one nation under God” etc. Seems like the conservative movement has plenty of hypocrisy! I enjoy reading your thoughtful posts! I actually like your posts more than Larry’s articles!
Of course you like Ben’s posts….lol. You are birds of a feather. And Tom, stop trying to peddle your “independent” posture. Everything you have written is off the left wing narratives.
Boy I just get back on Parlor and see crap like this from “Ben.” What the heck.
Larry, I just read an article were there Cult is turning on dear leader. Seems once he took your advice to admit defeat they are saying he betrayed them. They gave their freedom and some gave their lives and he just turned his back on them!
I copy pasted some of the comments from them for you and your readers.
Among the recent messages excoriating Trump in dedicated pro-Trump networks: “tbh I hope they hang Trump at this point”; “He deserves what’s coming to him”; “he is literally done he will die in jail”; “Seriously hoping they’ll lock him up or lynch [him]”; “Guy is the biggest cuck ever at this point”; “Can’t wait til the left locks up his bitch ass. Rot in prison.” Several people have proclaimed that at this point, Trump can only redeem himself by declaring martial law to maintain power by force.
So there ‘Tis
Larry,
After every arrest, inevitably the terrorist has said,” we take our marching orders from our President” “ We are here at the behest of our President.”
Hell, they were within 100’ of capturing the Vice President, who they intended on beheading.
Larry even if us Trump cult members fold up and attempt to get along the leftist democrats will not allow it. They really want a civil war. And don’t think that they are so anti gun. Them thugs are heavily armed. But if they were to take America they wouldn’t know what to do with her. They’re like dogs chasing a car. They don’t know what to do if they caught it. I personally wish that we as Americans could get along and just sometimes agree to disagree like we used too. But it seems like that probably won’t happen. Too many people on both sides stirring the pot.
Thom, you seem to think there are only two sides. You are incorrect. Many forget that the largest block of voters that Trump lost was we non-partisan independents. We broke for Biden. We are the voice of moderation you seek. Vote more of us into Congress and you will have your wish.
Vote more of your kind into congress and we will lose our country. You people are morons. Our country was on the way to becoming great again. But millions of us know that joe didn’t win.
Non-partisan independent voters are the voice of moderation. We are willing to listen to both sides and determine what is the greatest good for ALL Americans. Yes I am sure that there are millions of people like you that have been deceived by the lies and conspiracy theories. There is nothing great about losing a trade war, taking health care from Americans, continuing a 30 year immigration problem, denying DACA students and young people, charging the Capitol building and attempting to harm elected officials, over-using and abusing the EB-5 Visa program while telling the masses to hate China, insulting our European allies, cozying up to DPRK, paying hookers bribes, spreading lies and deception, and on and on. If this is your version of great, you have a problem Mack. And most people in the USA have spoken that they do not want the Republican, Conservative, QAnon policies. There is hope for you Mack. We can put you into a civility camp and teach you how to be a good citizen.
You say you broke with Trump this time? Tom, did you vote for Trump in 2016?
ILL TELL YOU WHAT WE NEED WE NEED TO RIP THESE DISGUSTING DEMORATS OUT OF THE WHITE HOUSE AND SHOOT THEM ALL FOR TREASON. TO HELL WITH ALL THIS HEALING TALK . THERE IS NO HEALING WITH THESE MORONS THEY MUST BE PURGED. START THE WAR NOW. EFF THESE COMMIE BASTARDS. NEVER EVER BIDEN
Therapy! Now!
You been drinking or just not taking our meds?
IMHO,
The chaos and violence we are witnessing in our country are both directly related to redefining mental illness as something to be admired, tolerated and God forgive us, something to be protected under the law, rather than what it actually is, abhorrent and unacceptable behavior that should be forbidden in civil society as it historically has been for thousands of years.
For the same length of time, the people that have opposed and sought to destroy the nuclear family, ie: 1 man,1 woman and children are the same individuals that today want the world to accept their abominable behavior as the new normal. They seek to teach the world, that evil is actually good and beneficial to humanity, and that the ancient concepts of what is good and wholesome should be abandoned to accomodate their unholy perspective.
LBGTQ is simply the lastest label being used to describe those people. They have been around for thousands of years. They present the most dangerous threat that confronts American society today. They are as dangerous to Humanity as ISIS, socialism and any of the many other movements that seek to overthrow the lives of decent people in order to create an environment that succors and justifies their filthy, immoral actions.
There ’tis
Dear Anon, I have yet to see an LGBTQ behead anyone, deny women an education, practice genital torture and disfigurement, gas anyone in chambers, execute/shoot masses over differing political views, etc. And if they have been around for thousands of years, then they were around during the founding of this country – and may have been some of the founding fathers! Equally as filthy is a government that gives tax breaks to big business and borrows money to pay for the tax cuts thereby passing on the debt to future generations to garner votes today. The God you reference said “Thou shalt not steal.” The Conservative God fearing people you speak of actually stole money from future generations and pulled it into the present to give big business tax breaks. Those same God fearing Conservatives marched a racist flag to the Capital of all the people – yet you do not seem to mind this filthy incident. That God that you praise said “Thou shalt not kill” yet the conservatives that marched on the People’s capital killed several – that is very filthy. You seem to be very selective in what filth you accept and what filth you condemn. You practice hating one group in the name of a God of Love, while accepting other forms of hatred and oppression. This stains you and makes you as immoral as those you condemn. Perhaps you should examine the pond you are swimming in. It may be more polluted than you think.
Tom …. look up John Gacy and Jeffery Dahmer. Members of the gay community have cut off a few heads. and DO NOT come back with some homophonic bull crap. I have supported basic gay rights for more than 30 years. But I deal in realities … not political fantasies.
Hey Anon, LGBTQ has always been part of the American tapestry. Anon, please read this article and see how many of the founding fathers and their associates were gay. https://www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/2017/1/18/15-gay-founding-fathers-and-mothers#media-gallery-media-1
I still think rioters and looters should be shot on site. They take way peoples rights to fulfill their livelihood. this would really sway them from more rioting and looting and help reduce their numbers.
So you are in favor of shooting Republican conservatives that kill people in their peaceful demonstration?
All in all a good article Larry. I must say that you pivot just as well as Trump!! Good job! Trump betrayed your so called “conservative movement”, and his lapdog Rudy betrayed you as well. Most of the folks arrested are all singing the same song, “I did it for the President”. Not to mention the Republicans that continued the “stolen election” hype, they betray you and your movement too. Republicans must begin to face the truth, that there are more people in this country that do not want them in power than those that do want them in power. Truth is the elections were very secure and nothing was stolen. Truth is that I am an independent and Trump’s behavior during the first presidential debate is what stole my vote! We independents were the largest group that Trump lost. And we left voluntarily! It will be interesting to see what they do with Trump. It will be interesting to see if Republicans really can negotiate in good faith. It will be interesting to see if Republicans can find a way to represent all Americans in a fiscally responsible way – this means jobs and infrastructure that Trump promised but never delivered, health care for all Americans that Trump promised but never delivered, resolution of DACA which most Republicans do not want but we independents do want, social justice reforms which we and most Americans want, expanded access to power for all Americans, and promoting those ten brave Republican heroes that voted to impeach Trump. Democrats have work to do too, they are no better than Republicans in many cases – but right now they are a little closer to what the majority of Americans said they wanted at the polls. But for now, I think what we will see is more Republicans eating each other and more partisan politics. Republicans will most likely try to excoriate those ten Republican heroes rather than purge their ranks of bias, prejudice, and right wing fanaticism that continues to spew lies. They will try to block any good efforts Biden attempts to accomplish. They will continue to obstruct. The only real question I have Larry, is will your articles tell the truth and will your articles fairly and accurately report the successes the Biden administration has, or can we expect to see more of the same from you?
So, this would have been your response to the Boston tea party and to the Patriots of Lexington and concord. Disgusting! The US constitution is being attacked by the fascists/democrats and you support them?