Good morning!
I am troubled by three threads of our modern life that, together, have created the kindling that likely will erupt in a spate of political violence that has not been seen in America in generations.
TOO MANY GUNS
We have more guns per capita than all but a tiny number of nations (most of which are engaged in civil wars). It is too easy to obtain guns and ammunition, often by people with mental illness, criminal records, or documented support for their use for political gain. Gun sales are up.
TOO ANGRY A POPULATION
We are angry with each other and this shows up in our political realm but also on-line and in personal interactions. Just a few weeks ago, I watched a driver harassing a pedestrian walking down the street because she made him stop for her at a crosswalk. The things he yelled cannot be repeated here.
A GROWING CONSENSUS THAT VIOLENCE IS THE ANSWER
The attack on the Capitol on January 6th was just the most notable example of violent extremism deployed by those seeking political satisfaction. The march on the Michigan statehouse by armed protestors, the attempted kidnapping of the Governor of Michigan are two other examples.
One in six people believe: “because things have gotten so far off track, true American patriots may have to resort to violence in order to save our country.” An overwhelming majority of Republicans believe the last election was stolen.
THE RESULT: MORE VIOLENCE AND THREATS OF VIOLENCE FOR POLITICAL GAIN
These various threads of disturbing news point to the increased likelihood that people will “take to the streets” with opposing protests in our cities. But even more chilling than the random eruption of violence at political rallies and protests is the orchestrated use of violence to achieve political ends.
Violent crime is up. Anger and hate are up. George Skelton, noted columnist for the Los Angeles Times, filed this report, quoting Republican and Democratic strategists who share a fear of the coming danger of political violence: “This UC firearms researcher says America is on a collision course with disaster. We need to listen” https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-11-08/skelton-uc-davis-guns-study-political-violence
And if this isn’t chilling enough, let’s consider what well-meaning public servants are doing in reaction to the threats in their midst. Apparently, it is no longer safe to serve on a school board or on an election commission. They now are hounded by people whose sole beef is that they disagree (often regarding issues they may not fully understand and/or with respect to which they have been misinformed). That a school board member says, “I love serving on the school board but don’t want to die for it,” must lead us to the conclusion that something is wrong.
There have been threats of rape, ominous warnings that people “know where your children go to school,” and other threats of violence. Some of the threats of violence to school board members and their families no doubt are real are are to be taken seriously. Some, I suspect, are to scare people into resigning, so that more radically conservative representatives can take their place: “’I Don’t Want to Die for It’: School Board Members Face Rising Threats”:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/05/us/politics/school-board-threats.html?referringSource=articleShare
Meanwhile, the thirteen Republicans in the House are being harassed and hounded, with death threats, for voting in favor of an INFRASTRUCTURE bill. This is a bill that, by and large, was supported by both parties before it was pushed by President Biden.
I don’t want to be right on this, but I’m pretty sure I am. We will be stunned as a country with the violence that will grip us in the coming years.
Have a good day,
Glenn
From the archives:
I appreciate your incites Glenn, thank you for sharing.