Many on the left have condemned armed citizens (usually identified as conservatives) showing up at town hall meetings. I agree completely. You've got the right to bear arms, but I have the right "peaceably to assemble". Neither of us has the right to incite the violent overthrow of the government. In any case, having the "right" to do something (carry arms) doesn't make it the "right" thing to do. David Sirota states it well.
(let's make) public political events firearm-free zones, just like schools and stadiums. That way forward honors our democratic ideals by declaring that politics may be war, but in America it is "war without bloodshed" -- and without the threat of bloodshed.I an unaware of conservative columnists condemning the actions of these (few) citizens with guns who are clearly pushing the limits of political civility and attempting to intimidate. Hopefully, some will do so. And let me know if you know of any.
However, the right is correctly condemning alleged actions by the Black Panthers where they attempted to intimidate voters, by appearing in paramilitary garb, brandishing nightsticks, at a polling place near downtown Philadelphia. I am unaware of liberal/progressive columnists condemning this action, or calling for the Justice Department to pursue the case. Hopefully, some will do so. And let me know if you know of any.
1 comment:
Hi,
Meaning no disrespect, but the you're comparing one incident in one city during an election to a nationwide effort to intimidate politicians on a particular issue. The New Black Panther party seems to have itself, the anti-National Health care movement is funded and organized by Astroturf lobbying firms in Washington. The lobbying firms are in turn funded by the medical insurance industry.
In short, this is like comparing sending a few US Marines into a South American country in the 1930's to the German annexation of Austria. Formally, such a comparison is correct. That said, it would have been wiser to be more worried about the action of Germany.
Ray,
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