Trump's Support

[BmorePat87]

(06-06-2016, 01:47 AM)Sociopathicsteelerfan Wrote: You absolutely do need to wait.  By the very nature of the word, defense, you cannot defend yourself until someone takes offensive action against you.  We live in a society in which speech is protected.  You don't go to jail for denying the holocaust or offending someone.  Short of directly advocating violence, which no one can show Trump has done, you do not get to physically attack someone and claim defense unless they physically attacked you first.  This moral cowardice is what paralyses the left at the moment, the need to justify violence by claiming defense against words.  If you disagree, what words do you feel should be criminalized?  Blasphemy?  Against what faith?  Does anything that harms the sensibilities of another warrant legal sanction or physical violence?

The ironic thing about this whole "debate" is that left leaning types are now directly assaulting the first amendment.  Words are only acceptable if I agree with them, if they differ I can meet them with physical violence and claim the mortal high ground in so doing.  Quite honestly, the tyranny from the left in this regard is just as insidious and odious as that coming from the right in the days after 9/11.  Maybe it doesn't bother you because you agree with the current oppression?  Myself I'll take freedom of expression, without fear of physical reprisal, in every instance because this country was founded on it.  Feel free to disagree, the Constitution allows for that.

If I can convince a jury that I had a reasonable fear of an imminent threat of force that accompanied those words, then, yes, it is justified.

I understand where this is getting muddled up. I never suggested that anyone who was attacked at the Trump rally acted in a manner that warranted violence. I concurrently suggested that the attacks were unprovoked while also stating I disagreed with the notion that one's words and actions can't ever justify assault. It's odd that I have to keep saying this, but I believe numerous people are trying to lump my position in with another poster's. 

I certainly agree that it is ironic that the liberals are the ones getting upset at speech. I certainly do not agree with violence nor do I believe that anything stated warranted these unprovoked attacks. I find it out of character for you to suggest that I do as I have always found your posts grounded in reason and logic. 

It's not contradictory to say that Trump has been irresponsible in advocating for violence while also holding the opinion that he is free to voice any and all of the opinions he has voiced.