The Double Standard of Violence

One of my rare forays into politics on here - I much prefer to keep these discussions to in-person with a select few people and generally over a few beers, but I honestly cannot keep my mouth shut about this anymore.

I've noticed a disturbing trend among the more hardcore left in recent months, what with the election of President Trump (or Satan, depending on who you ask). Now let's get one thing straight - I'm not a Trump fan any more than I was an Obama fan. One of the benefits of being an American (and one that many don't take advantage of) is the ability freedom to think critically and independently; I was always quick to criticize the last president, but also freely admitted when he did something I thought was beneficial to this great nation we live in. Trump is no different. But I digress.

This disturbing trend is the overt threatening of violence - against Trump supporters, against the White House (ahem, Madonna), and against the president himself... and people are cheering it on.

Three days ago, in Phoenix, AZ (look it up, I can't get links to work right, it's in smaller news outlets though), around 40 members of various left-wing political groups showed up to protest a pro-Trump rally in some just adorable matching red neckerchiefs (OMG!)... oh yeah, and a bunch of "tactical gear," armed with various semi-automatic rifles and wearing some holstered sidearms, chest rigs, plate carriers, etc. etc.

Oh, so now you remember what the second amendment is all about... interesting. So am I still a racist/bigot/Nazi for owning guns, or how does that work, exactly?

Anyway, various members of this ragtag band of self-proclaimed Reds voiced their concerns about an impending civil war, making various ominously open-ended claims about their readiness and willingness. (To clarify - I'm not against them exercising their rights or protesting, this is America, after all. If you want my thoughts on open carry of rifles, look in the July, 2014 section over there. ==>)

Quick tangent - I don't think these guys have thought this through. From their budget-ass gear to their perfect hair, I don't think most of these guys (and girls) could fight their way out of a hair salon with an M240. A lot of those same people that they're advocating or threatening violence against have spent at least one enlistment swapping rounds with much scarier people than these - combat experience (however limited) is a hell of a thing, something that I suspect remains lodged in one's subconscious, hiding in there with all the preconditioned responses to getting shot at. I'd bet good money that the first couple rounds cracking overhead would result in sheer panic - whereas if by some miracle they got the first round off at a fireteam of experienced infantry dudes, the response would be a wall of gunfire and the violence of action that will win a firefight every time.

My question is this: at what point did advocating (or perpetrating) violence against those with differing views become acceptable? When right-wing nutjobs did the same thing during the last presidency, it was a complete outrage, all over the news, and the response was overwhelming disgust (and for good reason). But now, it's okay, because it's not your candidate in office? No. That's not how this works... that's not how any of this works. Madonna gives a speech to thousands during a worldwide broadcast saying she wants to bomb the White House, and she gets FUCKING APPLAUDED for it?

You either respect the rule of law, or you don't. It's become clear to me that this element of society does not.

More double standards from the Tolerant Far Left.

Rant off.