"The protesters are helping to re-elect Trump"
I'm seeing this phrase pop up more and more in the news media I consume, as the nationwide campus protests of the Hamas/Israel war spread and continue. Columnists who claim sympathy with Palestinians nevertheless focus their criticisms on pro-Palestinian protesters, not on the genocidal overreaction of Israel, not on Biden's unconditional military support for Israel. No, it's the pro-Palestinian protesters who are too violent, too anti-semitic, too uncoordinated in their goals and messaging, etc.
I have my own thoughts and criticisms about the utility or futility of protest, but I support anybody's right to protest. Just don't be surprised if you get arrested for protesting illegally.
To me, this phrase "The protesters are helping to re-elect Trump" is another example of how Democrats have become mirror-image authoritarians in the 21st Century -- Thou shalt not do or say anything that would help to re-elect Trump. You must swear undying loyalty to the Biden campaign, never criticize Biden, it's the only way we can save democracy, etc. No matter how frustrated you might feel with Biden, Trump would be even worse, so just shut up and vote for Biden.
This is nothing new, Democrats have been acting this way since Gore lost the Electoral College to GWB back in 2000. Instead of focusing upon how Gore was a poorly-chosen candidate who made poor decisions (including his poor decisions regarding the Florida recount), Democrats blamed Ralph Nader for daring to run for President also. Shut down the Green Party, they cost us the election!
Democrats have been stuck below 53% of the popular vote since 1964 (after which LBJ embraced civil rights for black people). The Electoral College has tilted ever more Republican, due to Democrats giving up on rural voters and focusing on the concerns of urban college graduates. But instead of adopting widely popular policies that would increase taxes on their wealthy donors, Democrats continue to brew their own version of authoritarianism while pointing fingers at Republicans for doing the same.
Perhaps the best example of this authoritarian/authoritarian death spiral has been the millions of dollars donated by Democratic superPACs to MAGA candidates in the Republican primaries. Authoritarian Democrats believe they'll have a better chance of winning against authoritarian Republicans, so they help authoritarian Republicans to win their primaries. Then Democrats point to these authoritarian Republicans THEY HELPED, and claim we must oppose them to save democracy. It's disgusting.
But, hey, my writing this only helps Trump to win. Ditto your reading it. It's time to shut down Bug's LJ.
I have my own thoughts and criticisms about the utility or futility of protest, but I support anybody's right to protest. Just don't be surprised if you get arrested for protesting illegally.
To me, this phrase "The protesters are helping to re-elect Trump" is another example of how Democrats have become mirror-image authoritarians in the 21st Century -- Thou shalt not do or say anything that would help to re-elect Trump. You must swear undying loyalty to the Biden campaign, never criticize Biden, it's the only way we can save democracy, etc. No matter how frustrated you might feel with Biden, Trump would be even worse, so just shut up and vote for Biden.
This is nothing new, Democrats have been acting this way since Gore lost the Electoral College to GWB back in 2000. Instead of focusing upon how Gore was a poorly-chosen candidate who made poor decisions (including his poor decisions regarding the Florida recount), Democrats blamed Ralph Nader for daring to run for President also. Shut down the Green Party, they cost us the election!
Democrats have been stuck below 53% of the popular vote since 1964 (after which LBJ embraced civil rights for black people). The Electoral College has tilted ever more Republican, due to Democrats giving up on rural voters and focusing on the concerns of urban college graduates. But instead of adopting widely popular policies that would increase taxes on their wealthy donors, Democrats continue to brew their own version of authoritarianism while pointing fingers at Republicans for doing the same.
Perhaps the best example of this authoritarian/authoritarian death spiral has been the millions of dollars donated by Democratic superPACs to MAGA candidates in the Republican primaries. Authoritarian Democrats believe they'll have a better chance of winning against authoritarian Republicans, so they help authoritarian Republicans to win their primaries. Then Democrats point to these authoritarian Republicans THEY HELPED, and claim we must oppose them to save democracy. It's disgusting.
But, hey, my writing this only helps Trump to win. Ditto your reading it. It's time to shut down Bug's LJ.