By Mike Killalea, NSD president
NSD has joined the North Shore Republicans of Travis County and issued a joint statement condemning political violence and harassment. The plan is to introduce the joint resolution to the Lago Vista City Council, which will pass it as a statement to all citizens.
It’s a positive initiative, and NSD will be happy to join our Republican neighbors in in a joint statement calling for a non-violent political season. NSD’s executive committee and all North Shore Democratic precinct chairs approved NSD’s version of the joint statement.
NSD statement opposing political violence
NSD has had concerns for some time about the potential for political violence. In early July, NSD officers crafted the following succinct statement celebrating civil discourse and condemning all forms of political violence:
In this election year, the North Shore Democrats of Travis County renew our commitment to free and fair elections, freedom of speech, and an informed electorate. While we respect the thoughtful opinions of others and support vigorous political discussion, we absolutely condemn such behaviors as harassment, physical confrontation, and violence directed towards others with differing political views.
All Americans deserve the right to exercise their Constitutional rights without fear of reprisal.
Democrats have consistently condemned political violence, despite sometimes being falsely tarred with allegations of fomenting violence. Last year, Democrats introduced legislation in the US House of Representatives that would have condemned all forms of political violence in the US, regardless of target or intent. However, the effort failed in the GOP-led House. (1,2)
Face it, folks. America is a violent, gun-obsessed society, full of hate and angst. In the case of the alarming attack on Donald Trump, it’s far from clear that this was a political act. The shooter was a 20-year-old individual who politically is a purple enigma — a registered Republican just eligible to vote in his first Presidential election, but who at age 17 had donated $15 to the Democratic Party.
The most recent reporting indicates that the would-be assassin was more concerned with the nihilistic glory of murdering a famous person. He was researching Biden and other prominent people, as well. But Trump was more convenient.
As with all violence, NSD strongly condemns the attack on the former president, and offers condolences to the innocent victims.
Dems call for non-violence
Numerous national Dems called for calm and nonviolence in the BLM protests that followed George Floyd’s murder, only to see their remarks twisted by right-wing media. (3)
The public is worried. A 2023 study revealed that more than eight in 10 Americans were concerned about the threat of political violence in the US today. (4)
One in four believe violence justified
But while most Americans abhor the notion of political violence, fully one in four believe that political violence may be justified to “save” the country, according to a recent national poll. (5)
Many folks seem to believe that both sides are equally to blame for our society’s violent politics. But that’s just not true.
Most violence directed against Democrats
America has a problem with political violence against Democrats. The Anti-Defamation League counted 29 people killed in the United States by political extremists in 2021; of those, 26 were killed by right-wing extremists. (6)
According to an April 2021 study, right-wing extremists have since 2015 been involved in 267 plots or attacks and 91 fatalities. The comparable figures for left-wing extremists are 66 and 19. (7)
The GOP has become so extreme that many of its leaders and sympathizers make light of or deny political violence committed against Democrats.
There is no corresponding such behavior by leading Democrats when Republicans are threatened or attacked, because Democrats don’t count violent insurrectionists as a political constituency they dare not alienate. (7)
It is therefore very encouraging that our Republican neighbors are striving to plant a strong anti-violence flag.
Because it’s different at the national level. Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene repeatedly indicated support for executing prominent Democratic politicians in 2018 and 2019 before running for Congress. (8)
State and local officials are not immune from threats of violence, either. According to the Brennan Center, 45% of state legislators and 38% of local officeholders experienced threats. (9)
Why now in Lago Vista?
So why now in Lago Vista? Some local social media reported that a LV businesswoman, and apparently others, were harassed by a “psycho leftist” who accused the businesswoman of supporting Trump. I think we all can agree that any such harassment, if reported accurately, is far beyond the pale.
Armed only with third-hand information, I’ll offer my armchair diagnosis. It seems plain that the alleged leftist is a disturbed individual. One can say the same for the man who attacked Democratic icon Nancy Pelosi’s husband Paul with a hammer, nearly killing the octogenarian. (Republican response? Blame Mr Pelosi and laugh about it. Talk about mean spirited) (10,11,12)
Mental health drives much violence
Our nation’s strident and uncivil political discourse is not a positive event for the emotionally unstable. The politics of hatred worsens anti-social tendencies of mentally unstable people. Heck, it worsens my anti-social tendencies sometimes too!
When the rhetoric sound violent, some people can and are pushed over the edge to behave in ways that the rest of us find abhorrent.
A number of new studies suggest a correlation between Americans’ mental health problems and the nation’s political health. The inference is that if we fail to take our nation’s mental health seriously, it could, and probably already is, impacting America’s political stability. (13)
Some people who become radicalized or engage in political violence have experienced trauma and suffer from mental health problems, according to a new article published by the National Institute of Justice. That’s not an excuse for everyone, of course.Still, remedying people’s mental-health issues could help squash political violence. (14)
Some call for increased focus on mental health following mass shootings. How about increased mental health care for all? That would certainly help curb violence.
Neighbors, let’s use recent events as a turning point in our political discussion. We cannot have a free society without politics. Discourse must be open, honest, and free from reprisal. Some are using the recent assassination attempt to blame their political opponents. Let’s all tone down the rhetoric. We have real concerns. But violence is not the way forward.
For now, let’s applaud our community’s positive step against political violence and harassment.
Links:
6 https://www.adl.org/resources/report/murder-and-extremism-united-states-2021#exploring-the-numbers
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