As lawlessness becomes the norm, we are beginning to witness the push back against those who demand that the old ways be destroyed. I remember four years ago, when we witnessed so many Trump supporters showing up for rallies to find themselves victims of angry mobs. I watched countless videos of people (and kids) being attacked by angry mobs as no one came to their aid.
I was shocked at the time even more by the levels of restraint I saw from those on the right. So many in the category more likely to be staunch defenders of the second amendment, and probably a good many of them have conceal permits. I realize that they didn’t have their guns on them, as you can’t enter a rally with one on your person.
However, it surprised me that some of a mind like the New Mexico Civil Guard, who will be the focus of this post, weren’t showing up at subsequent events ready to show the violent protesters that it can, and often is, a two way street.
As the push by the media continues to advocate for there to be passionate action without reason nor discourse, it seems evident to me that the events I’m about to discuss will be the tip of the iceberg.
In recent weeks since the unfortunate murder of George Floyd, we have witnessed a lot of mob violence, both from angry hordes of citizens, often fanned into more anger by mobs of cops doling out violence without merit to respond to any expression of horror over their misconduct.
Stores have been ravaged/looted, people have been beaten. At times it looks like a scene straight out of The Purge. The problems are many from this approach, as those protesting seem to become the exact problems they protest. I watched a video earlier today of a black woman crying as she films the destruction at her local grocery store, crying because she doesn’t know how she’s going to feed her babies. I’ve seen videos of peoples cars being assaulted, attempts to break the windows to drag the people out for a likely mob beating spurring the drivers to run people down to escape.
Then we have this unfortunate incident with the New Mexico statue of Spanish conquistador Juan de Oñate. I’d never heard of this dude before, a search showing he was a governor back when the land was part of Mexico some 500 years ago. Evidently he was a pretty cruel dude, so its understandable why there could be harsh feelings towards it.
Regardless of the harsh feelings, responses regarding being able to mob up to destroy it (as well as other statues and businesses and such) is one that better be understood by those not only seeking to do such acts, but those who have had enough of these mobs and are showing up to say no way.
With the statue in New Mexico, evidently a militia showed up to stop it from being torn down. I suspect no one in that militia had any particular allegiance for the long dead violent ruler, and were there more from anger that a growing band of people mobbing up has decided they are going to tear down all institutions as we know them and force an as yet unknown way upon the rest of us without our permission.
From videos I’ve watched, the man who became the shooter was involved in several scuffles with those who were there to pull the statue down. In one video I watched, he threw a woman to the ground who was blocking him with her back to him, her elbow in his face. A definite overreaction, but a reaction prompted by an initial display of intolerance on her part. Much here that could have been avoided had there been any will to sit down, see one another and discuss things.
It quickly escalated, with the man from the militia running away as several began to chase him. The video (I’m sharing here) picks up as the camera person catches up, showing the man on the ground as several of the protesters are attacking him. One of them hitting him with a skateboard before the man is somehow able to regain his feet and begin shooting. The man hitting him with the skateboard is now in the hospital, in critical condition from last reports I saw.
Here is that video. YouTube is demanding you to log in to confirm your age to view it on their site if you try to view it on their website. Do not play this video with children present, nor if you aren’t wanting to see extreme violence. I share it to place context on this, as video stops the he said she said stuff. The camera catches up to the man right after the four minute mark.
To watch at YouTube without signing in.
I’ve been disturbed for years at the flare ups of mob mentality that seems to harm mostly those who were innocent. Images of Reginald Denny being pulled from his truck and severely beaten still making me sick to this day.
The government and media who have led us to this point are the ones responsible, yet the anger keeps being unleashed on the wrong folks. Back when Denny was beaten in response to the anger over the acquittal of the thugs who beat Rodney King, much of the nation was turned off from listening. We are witnessing this happen all over again.
As much as people are tired of being used and abused by the institutions of power, there is a lot to be said in favor of it. Goods flow, food flows, things get done. What these groups seeking to turn EVERYTHING over are doing is guaranteeing that the majority will not listen to their hurt and anger. Guaranteeing as they insist on destruction that their violent position to be heard at any cost demands reaction from those they impact.
There is no mistake that the man who got shot at that statue was shot in self defense. Once that man started running, he was no longer any threat. For a mob to chase him and begin beating him looks very similar to the complaints of police brutality that is very much a part of the social discussion at the moment.
I don’t buy into the whole left/right mind-scripts. I typically find myself leaning to the right, as they often seem to have a better grip on their emotions. However, as I’ve stated repeatedly on my blog here, its amazing how much we all have in common if we put our preconceived scripts aside and talk as people with common needs. I’ve had many conversations on BOTH sides of this created schism, and there are plenty of people who will listen if you put that talking point down.
I get it, folks are angry and scared. On one side there are people wanting to destroy society and offer little in their presentation on what they believe will replace it. In fact, some seem to be of the opinion that man and nature would somehow fall into some utopian state if they get their way, ignoring the fact that history bears out that all vacuums invite a new violent structure to fill its void.
On the other side, we have some pretty violent structures designed to keep us down or worse.
I honestly don’t know what the coming weeks and months have in store for us. What I do know is that these mobs seem to care little for what a large segment of the community wants and needs in their desire for revenge and destruction. If this path continues, the violence that happened at that statue will become normal.
It’s time for the majority of us who want peace and healthy structures to show both sides of this extreme they are the minority and moving forward without dialogue and consent will not be tolerated. The statue in question is a perfect example.
As I said earlier, I doubt there could be that many who somehow feel allegiance to a man who was governor of that area while the land was part of another country five hundred years ago. In cases like the calling for destruction of the nations founders and Lincolns statue, there will likely be some backlash. Sometimes in life we don’t get our way. It’s life, and if not understood has consequences.
At the end of the day, the majority of us don’t want to replace the minority that rules now for this violent minority we see taking the streets now. Better get your act together if you want your voices to be heard. You’ve got to be better than what you oppose.
And stop making victims who aren’t part of the group you want to topple. It reveals you are conspiring to install your own terror campaign onto the rest of us, and frankly, your conspiracy is amateur hour compared to the folks who've installed everything you rage against. Drop your insistence on ruling, stop being a pawn for those who you would topple. You drive the majority of us to their support with your demands and random violence.
