Gianforte's win is a sea change for US politics; Violence is OK now

[Absentee Voting Ghost of Ruin]

I have been saying for some time now that we (the left, or the miscellaneous anti-Trumpian forces) need to admit to ourselves that our opponents are willing, even eager, purveyors of violence. And that they have no respect for, nor belief in, democracy. That DOES NOT mean immediately resorting to violence ourselves. Even if there were not many other considerations  - and there are -  violent politics has something like half the success rate of non-violent protest.

It DOES mean being prepared for violence from our opponents. We need to understand that they are NOT a legitimate opposition with whom we may disagree with all involved staying inside the framework of democratic government that we've had. We need to understand the reality we're facing, and find the best responses to it. With 'the best' meaning those most effective at stopping them, while simultaneously promoting the values of freedom, justice and prosperity for everyone.



Also, it behooves us to remember the old words of wisdom: the first one to propose violence is always a Fedplant.

[Absentee Voting Ghost of Ruin]

We're punching back against you guys if anything.

Everything you said could be said about people on the left as well.  Stop pretending that your side collectively has the moral high ground.

I think my recent comment from another thread on violence sum it all up:

Cue those falsely claiming that actions of random protesters on one side and prominent politicians on the other make both sides equivalent.