The random political thoughts thread (Part Deux)

[flippyshark]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

Except that I haven't heard of any gun violence associated with the tea party (there may have been - I just haven't heard of any), yet the vandalism has been present.

Also, there have been threats of violence against latinos that are in support of the immigration law pased in AZ.

I guess scary is in the eye of the beholder.

Gun violence, no, but so much rhetoric essentially saying "we're playing nice for now but push us a little further and we will start shooting." Those sentiments have been from a loud minority, but they are unmistakably threats. (Here, Obama. take my gun, barrel first! - We came unarmed, THIS time! - The tree of liberty must occasionally be watered with the blood of tyrants - all recent and real examples.)

I haven't seen reports of vandalism and death threats such as you mention yet. (if you have links, cool.) The usual name-calling and "but YOUR side is just as bad" crapola aside, no reasonable person approves of threats, vandalism or violence. That doesn't change a thing about the very obvious violation that this new law represents. The smoking gun - those who made and signed the law cannot define a reasonable non-race-based way of defining what constitutes justification for demanding identification. Its glaringly and publicly obvious. Its a bad law and ought to be embarrassing even to those who support tougher immigration laws. Change my mind with reasoned argument. Meanwhile, though I won't approve of destructive behaviour, I will certainly understand why a great big chunk of brown-skinned folks feel very angry right about now.