Well, Ashli Babbit was not blackmailed nor was a child or loved one of hers kidnapped and she then forced to attack the Capital. She made her views known prior to her willing involvement in the insurrection. Were those views and beliefs rational? No. But she was an adult and she chose to embrace those beliefs. Allowing herself…
Well, Ashli Babbit was not blackmailed nor was a child or loved one of hers kidnapped and she then forced to attack the Capital. She made her views known prior to her willing involvement in the insurrection. Were those views and beliefs rational? No. But she was an adult and she chose to embrace those beliefs. Allowing herself to be deeply and wrongly influenced by our then President and by equally noxious media still does not absolve her of her actions. We are each responsible for the information and knowledge, even false knowledge, lies and batshit crazy conspiracy theories, that we take in and what we do with it all.
I don't believe any demagogue should "get off the hook for manipulating other people to do their dirty work". They do but they should not. With regard to trump I believe he should have been arrested for fomenting violence against our government the same day he did so and if not then, then the day after President Biden's inauguration. Allowing him to escape legal responsibility for whatever reason (presidents can't be arrested, it'll look bad, whatever) is wrong.
Once adults, we are each fully responsible for our actions.
Well said, Kasumii. Following demagogues is dangerous business. People are responsible for actions. The rule of law is now asserting itself, even if the current Republicans (aka white supremacists from the 19th century on down...) continue to spread the Big Lie, etc.
Ah, I see.
Well, Ashli Babbit was not blackmailed nor was a child or loved one of hers kidnapped and she then forced to attack the Capital. She made her views known prior to her willing involvement in the insurrection. Were those views and beliefs rational? No. But she was an adult and she chose to embrace those beliefs. Allowing herself to be deeply and wrongly influenced by our then President and by equally noxious media still does not absolve her of her actions. We are each responsible for the information and knowledge, even false knowledge, lies and batshit crazy conspiracy theories, that we take in and what we do with it all.
I don't believe any demagogue should "get off the hook for manipulating other people to do their dirty work". They do but they should not. With regard to trump I believe he should have been arrested for fomenting violence against our government the same day he did so and if not then, then the day after President Biden's inauguration. Allowing him to escape legal responsibility for whatever reason (presidents can't be arrested, it'll look bad, whatever) is wrong.
Once adults, we are each fully responsible for our actions.
100 times, Kasumii.
Well said, Kasumii. Following demagogues is dangerous business. People are responsible for actions. The rule of law is now asserting itself, even if the current Republicans (aka white supremacists from the 19th century on down...) continue to spread the Big Lie, etc.
I'm increasingly coming to see that last statement as either an aspiration or a dogma, depending on the day and my depth of cynicism.
Ah. Well, in my case it's not dogma but an aspiration, a code to live my life by.