Would you throw a rock at a random police officer walking down the street? No? Then why should the presence of Donald Trump motivate you to do so, to take up a weapon and act in a way that you would not under other circumstances?
Many people find Trump objectionable, but that does not justify the thuggery of left-wing protesters wherever he goes. If asked to enumerate what they dislike about him, the list would doubtless include his inclination to threaten opponents, his disdain for rational debate, and his pandering to violence. But these are precisely the traits the lefties are themselves displaying.
By throwing rocks and setting fires, by trying to achieve by force what they should (or cannot?) achieve by argument, they show that when it comes right down to it they believe might makes right. Isn’t that essentially what they claim to abhor?
There have been peaceful anti-Trump demonstrations all across America, showing how political protest is supposed to be. Good for them. But violence is suddenly becoming commonplace.
It’s not even as though the rioters’ tactics, which began with the violent shutdown of a Trump rally in Chicago in March, actually work. The headline-grabbing antics actually do the opposite of stopping Trump. Destroying property and throwing rocks and bottles at police officers makes the GOP nominee look more attractive than the alternative the Left offers. His own musings about punching protesters on the nose suddenly seem mild by comparison.
If Trump wins the general election in November, he should send fruit baskets to the organizers of the latest unrest. They are generating sympathy for him by ensuring that a noisy proportion of his supporters are identified as asses who need to be defeated.
There’s nothing more American than peacefully protesting a candidate you dislike, in person, in print, online or over the airwaves. It’s an activity we encourage and regularly engage in. But free speech is a two-word principle. It’s not just the word “free” that counts, but also the word “speech.” The First Amendment does not protect “free rock throwing” or “free fire starting.” Those activities deserve no respect, and rob their perpetrators of any.
The liberty Americans enjoy is the strongest defense of the rule of law, and vice versa. When you can say whatever you want there is no reason or justification for political violence. In a society where dissent is appreciated and political change is always a real possibility, it is up to you to persuade others to your political views. If you cannot do that, perhaps there is something faulty about your opinions. That certainly gives you no right to escalate from speech to violence.
