Pointing fingers over tension and clashes at Trump campaign rallies
“Protest blocks Chicago Trump rally,” March 12 news story.
Donald Trump is complaining— bizarrely— that Bernie Sanders and protesters who non- violently oppose his message of hate, bigotry and intolerance at his increasingly vitriolic rallies “cause” his devotees’ violence against those same protesters.
No, the non- violent protesters are not “thugs” or “communists” or “professionals” causing violence. It is Trump’s violent, bigoted message that evokes his followers’ own hatefulness and violence. Trump has actively encouraged and “justified” their violence since his campaign started.
The survival in a democratic society of that necessary civic virtue called tolerance does not require “tolerating” bigotry and intolerance; that is only craven acquiescence. Active opposition to intolerance is a vital part of the eternal vigilance that is the price of liberty. I salute the courageous protesters in South Carolina, St. Louis, Chicago and elsewhere who are keeping democracy alive in the face of Trump’s campaign for hate.
It’s the First Amendment of our Constitution which guarantees us freedom of speech. It’s first for a reason; it’s essential for virtually every other freedom.
There is no fine print in the Constitution which says your free speech gives you the right to prevent others from speaking freely. But that is what the ( mostly) young fascists intend to do. And why not? Those in universities or those who hang out on street corners have their immature minds filled with impervious self- righteous beliefs that only they matter.
Sadly, Donald Trump’s opponents ( including even my own choice) opportunistically blame Trump’s speech for the mob action. So far no serious harm has occurred, but that will inevitably change. We can only hope that the First Amendment does not.
BB B The condemnation of Donald Trump by Sens. Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz and Gov. Josh Kasich for the dust- ups at Trump’s rallies has driven me to be a very likely voter for Trump if he becomes the GOP’s nominee. Rubio, Cruz and Kasich should have loudly condemned those who deliberately deprived Trump of his right to free speech.
BB B The Chicago police deserve a commendation for their reaction to the anti- Trump demonstrations last Friday. No shields, no tear gas, no militarized vehicles, no armor. Itwas as America should be, and I amin awe of them. Iwish all American police forceswould be as respectful of the right of peaceful protest as Chicago police demonstrated during that potentially disastrous situation.
BB B “Hail to the bully in chief?,” March 11 Greg Dobbs column.
Greg Dobbs hit the bully on the head with his column about Donald Trump. I am amazed that Americans who are friendly, polite and outgoing have favored a man who is truly a hateful bully and who encourages violence against protesters. He has no clue about international relations and acts as if he will be king. We have had enough of our current president who uses executive orders the same way. We do not need a continuation of the same. Get smart, America!