(10-21-2016 12:12 PM)Barrett Wrote:  Optimistic, I can't tell if you're continuance to chew on the notion of literal pitchforks and torches is with tongue solidly in cheek or not. OldOwlNewHeel2 is not talking about actual, literal pitchforks and torches. His most recent post made that clear. He's speaking of violent, armed resistance or protest. Whether that's with guns, knives, fists, or whatever, the point he seems to be making is about the physical violence.

I believe that Clarke is NOT speaking of armed, violent protest, yet the pitchforks and torches thing is being taken as such. If the parliament were to march on the AD's office, I would term that a pitchforks and torches event, whether or not there actual pitchforks or torches or violece. He referred me to a statement by Clarke implying that Clarke was advocating exactly those things.

Quote:And the "let's just wait and see if there is any armed protest to Hillary winning" card is a bit of dodge, in my opinion. The question on the table is: was Trump being irresponsible and advocating for something dangerous (not to mention profoundly inconsistent with our American political tradition) when he was leaving open whether he would (and thus whether his supporters should) accept defeat on November 8? If one chooses to believe that this is nothing out of the norm, then I guess people will have to agree to disagree.

A bit of a dodge? I expect Clinton to win, and grumbling from the losers, but no armed insurrection. Not accepting defeat is not the same as advocating armed resistance, and frankly I think that is more of a reach than pitchforks. Lots of ways to not accept defeat - recounts and legal action for starters. The same actions we saw from Gore when he would not accept defeat at first. i think this being seen as a call to armed insurrection is just fearmongering. i could be wrong. If we get a stream of people armed with guns, knives, scythes, pitchforks, frying pans, whatever marching on DC in mid November, then I will have been wrong. We will know for sure in three weeks or so. I think there is a stereotype of Trump supporters and this narrative is based off that stereotype.

Trump could have been clearer, but it is his opposition that has supplied their preferred context to his words.

I am not a Trump supporter. He is one of the worst candidates we have ever had. I will not support a bad Hillary just because Trump is not good. So likely I will not vote in that race, or will vote third party. My mind is not made up yet. So please do not expect me to come out of my house boiling with rage and carrying my shotgun. There may be a few like that, but they will be few and far between.