Is the age of effective peaceful protest over? What are the root causes of our current civil unrest?

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 03 May 2015 10:42:23 -0400

This brief debate piece poses two interesting perspectives:

http://www.stripes.com/opinion/is-effective-nonviolent-protest-still-possible-in-the-21st-century-1.343631

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made May 3 at 2015 10:48 AM

SGM Matthew Quick — Sun, 03 May 2015 10:48:37 -0400

Root cause? Opportunity.

Opportunists attempt to exploit a situation for their own personal gain/greed. Maybe smashing windows and stealing Jordan's is a way to protest...I'm just not informed how it is.

Response by SPC Carl K. made May 3 at 2015 10:50 AM

SPC Carl K. — Sun, 03 May 2015 10:50:09 -0400

Quite frankly, and to be blunt, it seems to me there are a lot of people who just want an excuse to burn and loot, under the guise of "protesting."

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2015 11:06 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 03 May 2015 11:06:04 -0400

We can't be sure but it looks as if there may be some truth to the statement that , here in America there is in fact a 'Government With-In the Government' and it is responsible for the worst of the worst situations and policies presented to and inflicted upon American Society. That includes Domestic-Espionage against almost any citizen that mentions 911 or any of the WAR's for profit that we have had to endure. The looting of minerals and energy around the world in the name of Free-Trade. The poor economic conditions being over looked by the American Mass Media controlled by citizens of other countries (Duel-Citizens). GMO food and crops. Chem-Trails are real , Wall-Street bonus amounts to more money than the bottom 45 percent working poor earn all year. More American business went under first time in 30 years than stay afloat recent past years. President signs 'BILL's' into LAW but never reads them ACA. So there are many points of mismanagement but none greater that have taken place during the term in office of the current and prior President. It has nothing to do with the citizens partaking of civil unrest. they were manipulated into the position they are in by a corrupt system. And it's going to get even uglier.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2015 11:27 AM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 03 May 2015 11:27:34 -0400

I think we as a society can still have peaceful protesting, but I think that somehow the "entitled" generation will take a while to learn what peaceful protesting really is.

Response by Lt Col Fred Marheine, PMP made May 3 at 2015 12:47 PM

Lt Col Fred Marheine, PMP — Sun, 03 May 2015 12:47:25 -0400

I think the short debate you linked to has great utility in describing - or at least pointing to - the root cause. From the second speaker:

"At some point, our liberal friends and fellow citizens need to take a good, hard look not only at the “repressive regime” they themselves endorse and helped build, but the culture that’s festering around it."

Exactly, but even this doesn't go far enough. There is an actual industry - people earn their livelihood from it - that has arisen around fighting the "repressive regime" and there are a significant number of politicians who base their incumbency on perpetuating and exploiting the energy generated by "fighting the repressive regime." This all despite the fact that this same industry and set of politicians is fighting tooth and nail to protect the "repressive regime" where/when-ever it comes under attack, in addition to advancing both the reach and the repressiveness of the regime whenever they perceive an opportunity to do so. For one reason: the "repressive regime" is the source of their power, influence, and wealth.

From a purely rational self-interest / economic perspective, why would we expect the leaders of this industry and associated politicians to behave in any other manner?

And we need to be honest with ourselves here: those of us who believe in individual liberty, self-sufficiency, accountability, and hard work are now the **minority** in the U.S.

I don't have an answer to solving this, but think it starts with understanding we are indeed engaged (or not, in most cases) in a struggle for the future of the county we thought we lived in.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made May 3 at 2015 2:27 PM

Cpl Jeff N. — Sun, 03 May 2015 14:27:32 -0400

No justice, no peace. That is the often used phrase by many of these rioters both violent and non violent. It is not just a phrase, it is a threat. A threat to anyone that does not give them what they want. That want may change depending on the circumstance/issue but it is not justice. They want justice as they describe it, not the way free societies with legal systems describe it. They want immediate verdicts with no trials, they want their outcomes only.

The no peace, well, that is the threat. If you don't give us what we want we are coming after you. That might be physical, it might be economic or just general security (we will burn this place down). When you hear that phrase, know that if you have worked hard, played by the rules, put together a decent life for you an your family, they feel entitled to some of what you have.

They want their version of justice which is not blind or fair, only mob rule and they want what you (and others) have earned. They feel it is fine to issue a threat to free people that you will give in, or else pay the consequences. We would do well to end this mentality before it mushrooms into a real problem.

The left in this country has promised them much over the decades and have not delivered because what they promised is undeliverable. You will not reach economic happiness and security at the end of the government tether. That reality is unfolding before us.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made May 3 at 2015 3:02 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Sun, 03 May 2015 15:02:37 -0400

There is some truth in all I've read in this discussion thread, however, the one who commented on "opportunists" seems to be reaching the root of the problem.

Political opportunists are exploiting every contentious moment to set groups and classes of citizens (and non-citizens) against each other. They then pretend to be concerned with resolving conflict when, in fact, they take advantage of them to gain control and power.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 3 at 2015 5:48 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 03 May 2015 17:48:05 -0400

I can understand rioting to send a political messages, but I don't understand a city that riots when their teams wins a national championship.

Response by PO2 Harold Ashton made Jul 25 at 2020 10:06 PM

PO2 Harold Ashton — Sat, 25 Jul 2020 22:06:37 -0400

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Response by PO2 Harold Ashton made Jul 26 at 2020 2:43 AM

PO2 Harold Ashton — Sun, 26 Jul 2020 02:43:43 -0400

'That’s an illegal order': veterans challenge Trump's officers in Portland

Two veterans asked federal agents if they understood their oath to defend the constitution and why they weren’t honoring their oath of office.

David said the officers’ response Saturday night to a largely peaceful crowd was completely disproportionate. But he said, it was also clear that they were not trained for this type of situation.

“They have no tactical cohesion to what they’re doing,” he said. “Duston and I are vets. We can tell what’s going on with these guys. There was no sort of command. They were running around and they were scared.”

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jul/24/portland-trump-order-federal-officers-veterans-protests?CMP=share_btn_tw

'That’s an illegal order': veterans challenge Trump's officers in Portland

Two veterans asked federal agents if they understood their oath to defend the constitution and why they weren’t honoring their oath of office

Response by Kally Alenko made Jul 15 at 2021 6:55 AM

Kally Alenko — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 06:55:57 -0400

Peaceful protests are not that difficult. https://bestproductlists.com/tips-how-to-organize-a-peaceful-protest The main thing is to start with your behavior. Not to be the crowd that, like rams, go wherever. Even so, almost no one ever hears protests. But! We will not stop and will continue to follow our rights.

Tips How to Organize a Peaceful Protest

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2021 7:54 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 07:54:46 -0400

Personally I believe it’s singular: some want to change our form of government before they have the votes to do it… intimidation and manipulation