A person may cause evil to others not only by his actions but by his inaction, and in either case he is justly accountable to them for the injury.
John Stuart Mill 7
I am ashamed to say that I have been a silent witness out of fear:
however, my silence and the silence of other, terrified civilians must
continue no longer.
When protesters viciously ripped historic statues from their resting places and vandalized them
… I was stunned… but silent.
Those statues were illegally removed with violence.
Violence is not the answer in a democracy. 6
We are the dominant species on this planet — thanks to our capacity for thought and speech AND the ability to comprehend the spoken thoughts of others — and we are more than capable of reaching diplomatic solutions. We are just choosing not to.
When protesters damaged businesses and harmed innocent civilians
… I was stunned… but silent.
Vandalizing someone’s property because you are angry is not acceptable under any circumstance. 4
How does vandalizing property help anything, or anyone? Why not use that energy to HELP people who are suffering? Our communities are struggling to survive, they need that energy more than businesses need broken windows.
When protesters used intimidation tactics and threats of violence or death for political gain
… I was stunned… but silent.
Threatening the life of another human being is wrong and viewed as a criminal or terrorist threat: therefore, punishable by law. 10
If you truly intend to harm yourself or someone else, I would consider seeing a specialist – someone who can help you. Please. If not for you, then for those you love who would experience the fallout of your actions.
I don’t want to be silent.
I don’t want to be a victim of these protesters any longer.
And so, I will tell you what I believe.
I believe that America is experiencing a New Age:
an Age of Domestic Terrorism.
20 Aug 2018
UNC CH, NC 5
14 Aug 2017
Durham, NC 1
27 Apr 2015
Baltimore, MD 11
3 Jun 2018
Portland, OR 2
27 Apr 2015
Baltimore, MD 11
Yes… The United States has Domestic Terrorists.
the term “domestic terrorism” means activities that—
USC §2331.5 12
(A) involve acts dangerous to human life that are a violation of the criminal laws of the United States or of any State;
(B) appear to be intended—
(i) to intimidate or coerce a civilian population;
(ii) to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion; or
(iii) to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping;
12 Aug 2017
Charlottesville, VA 8
1 Jun 2017
Berkeley, CA 9
These kinds of acts:
do NOT represent democracy,
or even freedom of speech.
They represent acts of terrorism.
Some call them “mobs,” but mobs don’t usually have a political agenda. For more information on the difference between mobs and protests, see Don’t confuse mob rule and protest: The Constitution only protects peaceable demonstration. 6
These acts of terrorism need to STOP, on all accounts. At this point? No one is fixing anything.
I know this is difficult to understand, but it is happening, and we need to stand together and
do what’s right, not what’s easy.
Kiminy Cricket 