# I am SERIOUSLY WORRIED that these riots are going to get Trump re-elected **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [August 26, 2020, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-seriously-worried-that-these-riots-are-going-to-get-trump-re-elected/919092 "2020-08-26T20:53:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2020, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-seriously-worried-that-these-riots-are-going-to-get-trump-re-elected/919092/121 "2020-08-28T16:20:01Z")
Talking heads report that BLM support is dropping due to unrest. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2020, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-seriously-worried-that-these-riots-are-going-to-get-trump-re-elected/919092/122 "2020-08-28T16:22:47Z")
[Video link to 2016 speech](https://www.c-span.org/video/?412402-8/donald-trump-2016-acceptance-speech). The part in question starts around 4:40. ---
**Author:** ![Deeg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deeg/32/2955_2.png) [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2020, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-seriously-worried-that-these-riots-are-going-to-get-trump-re-elected/919092/123 "2020-08-28T16:40:59Z")
Awesome, thanks. My political reach is roughly equivalent to drops in the ocean but it’ll get used. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2020, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-seriously-worried-that-these-riots-are-going-to-get-trump-re-elected/919092/124 "2020-08-28T18:20:24Z")
Need all the drops we can get. ---
**Author:** ![Win\_Place\_Show](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/win_place_show/32/13469_2.png) [@Win\_Place\_Show](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Win_Place_Show)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2020, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-seriously-worried-that-these-riots-are-going-to-get-trump-re-elected/919092/125 "2020-08-28T18:44:24Z")
Holy shit, that is gold, Lance - well done. Just to expound on it a bit if I may, here’s the same speech on youtube - with a direct link to the 4:40 spot you mentioned. I’m going to use this as my link that I share on social media (Facebook, etc). [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/4CVTuOyZDI0/hqdefault.jpg "FULL SPEECH: Donald Trump - Republican National Convention - THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE USA?") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CVTuOyZDI0) ---
**Author:** ![Win\_Place\_Show](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/win_place_show/32/13469_2.png) [@Win\_Place\_Show](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Win_Place_Show)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2020, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-seriously-worried-that-these-riots-are-going-to-get-trump-re-elected/919092/126 "2020-08-28T18:45:55Z")
Well shit, I didn’t know it would embed the video, I thought it would just paste in the link text. If the mods need to edit it to just make it the youtube link text, please do so. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2020, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-seriously-worried-that-these-riots-are-going-to-get-trump-re-elected/919092/127 "2020-08-28T19:48:13Z")
Working as designed. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2020, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-seriously-worried-that-these-riots-are-going-to-get-trump-re-elected/919092/128 "2020-08-28T23:00:49Z")
This may work for URL with timestamp. Ignore leading backslash. \https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=4m40s&v=4CVTuOyZDI0 ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2020, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-seriously-worried-that-these-riots-are-going-to-get-trump-re-elected/919092/129 "2020-08-29T01:03:50Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > But at the same time I worry that the visceral images of the riots that _infrequently_ arise from protests may have the effect I described. And I’m not sure there’s anything the Dems can do about it. Well, Dems can point out that many of the visceral images that Republicans claim depict an America that is under siege, are not of America at all: > [@](#): > > On the first night of the Republican National Convention (RNC) on Aug. 24, 2020, a video supposedly showing violence on the streets of the United States was aired. The video, entitled “Catalina and Madeline,” featured two sisters from Chicago discussing their support of U.S. President Donald Trump and their fear about the potential of violent protests in Democratic nominee Joe “Biden’s America”: > > Around the four-minute mark of the above-displayed video, clips showing fires and protests start appearing on the screen as one of the women says: “This is a taste of Biden’s America. The riot, the crime. Freedom is at stake now. This is going to be the most important election of our lifetime.” > > … At the 4:15 mark, an image of a large fire on a street appears (shown in the screenshot at the top of this article). > > **This scene was not filmed in the United States. The above-displayed fire actually occurred in October 2019 in Barcelona, Spain.** > > … This footage is available via Shutterstock … > **[Did RNC Video Depict Rioting in ‘Biden’s America’ Using Barcelona Footage?](https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/rnc-video-biden-america/)** > > Also, wouldn't any footage showing 2020 protests in the U.S. be more accurately labeled "Trump's America"? This has been happening fairly regularly on Trump Campaign auxiliary FoxNews, too. In June, a period of no rioting didn’t stop Fox from playing old footage and claiming it showed the current state of the nation: > [@](#): > > … Sometimes the video has a little label in the corner with the date, like “May 28” for fires in Minneapolis, but not always. And if you think the label is sufficient, you’re kidding yourself. The video is often accompanied by talk of “unrest,” violence and inner-city chaos. One of the banners on Sean Hannity’s show Tuesday night said “GROWING LAWLESSNESS IN MAJOR CITIES.” His show, and others, have been blurring the unrest seen in the wake of George Floyd’s death with other, generalized types of crime. Statements like “we have to restore law and order” have implied that law and order has not been restored. … > **[Conservative media is living in the past as unrest subsides across the US](https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/10/media/conservative-media-reliable-sources/index.html)** > > In the "Fox & Friends" and "Hannity" alternative universe, the rioting is still a present-tense threat and could restart at any time. Best: Peaceful protesters don’t allow agitators to create new footage to use to help Trump, AND everyone holds the RNC and conservative-media liars—who have no problem trying to scare voters with fakery—accountable. (my bolding in quote) ---
**Author:** ![Pavelb1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/439d5e/32.png) [@Pavelb1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pavelb1)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2020, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-seriously-worried-that-these-riots-are-going-to-get-trump-re-elected/919092/130 "2020-08-29T05:17:53Z")
Lets be clear…there have certainly been LEO’s who have gone over the line in response to riots. Slashing tires…etc…I’m anti-violence. Anti-looting, but pro-constitution and that 'trump’s all. What i saw in Chicago made my blood boil. LEO’s hemmed in rioters/protesters. On public streets (!) inhibited their freedom of movement and wouldn’t allow them to pass until they emptied out their back packs. FUCK. THAT. SHIT. This isnt a baseball stadium. Its a public street and thats illegal search and seizure. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2020, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-seriously-worried-that-these-riots-are-going-to-get-trump-re-elected/919092/131 "2020-08-30T02:02:10Z")
This is the beginning of a thread by Claire Berlinski from today’s Twitter: > [@](#): > > This report confirms their may be links to White supremacist groups among US law enforcement. It isn’t clear on the details. > **Hidden in Plain Sight: Racism, White Supremacy, and Far-Right Militancy in Law Enforcement** The government’s response to known connections of law enforcement officers to violent racist and militant groups has been strikingly insufficient.([Hidden in Plain Sight: Racism, White Supremacy, and Far-Right Militancy in Law Enforcement](https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/hidden-plain-sight-racism-white-supremacy-and-far-right-militancy-law)) > > But it’s plausible to suspect some law enforcement agencies have been infiltrated by white supremacists. > > If so, this is what will happen in the next 66 days: > > Black men will be killed by white cops. > > This will be filmed. > > These videos will go straight to Twitter, where they’ll be boosted and amplified by not only by terrified black Americans, but by Trump’s campaign and by our friends in the GRU. > > Black Americans can then do one of three things: > > 1. Nothing. > 2. Realize it’s a provocation, and respond intelligently. > … > **[Thread by @ClaireBerlinski: This report confirms their may be links to White...](https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1299350371362627585.html)** > > Thread by @ClaireBerlinski: This report confirms their may be links to White supremacist groups among US law enforcement. It isn't clear on the d. brennancenter.org/our-work/resea… But it's plausible to suspect some law enforcement agencies have been... Well worth a read. The writer pulls no punches: > [@](#): > > …[Trump’s] supporters will see videos of breaking windows and burning buildings on a loop–over and over again–and they will see Trump as their savior. > > He’s counting on this. He’s counting on riots to elect him. > > If you’re protesting because you believe America is fundamentally racist, for God’s sake, act like you really believe it and draw the obvious conclusion. When racist people see black people burning down buildings, it makes them _more_ racist, not less. > > Racists too have the vote. Don’t mobilize them. > > Unless you want to be a puppet for white supremacists, treat any protester among you who indulges in violence as the enemy and deal with him accordingly. Because he is. Objectively, he’s working for Trump. > > Peaceful protest _does_ work. If you actually want things to change, it’s the only way. (For lessons, see Belarus: > … eta: I hope that huge graphic will shrink down. The thread is also visible on Twitter, but the Thread Reader page is easier to read. The Twitter page is: > ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2020, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-seriously-worried-that-these-riots-are-going-to-get-trump-re-elected/919092/132 "2020-08-30T23:50:18Z")
This fellow here reckons we all need to have an uncomfortable conversation. About who’s to blame for this mess. I warn you, it’s pretty powerful! [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/m5h2eh1lin4/maxresdefault.jpg "Message to Democrats") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5h2eh1lin4) ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2020, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-seriously-worried-that-these-riots-are-going-to-get-trump-re-elected/919092/133 "2020-08-31T00:02:47Z")
heh word on some streets are talking about bringing back things like the weathermen and the like and people wondering if the only way to change isa public assassination or two … ---
**Author:** ![galen\_ubal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galen_ubal/32/4440_2.png) [@galen\_ubal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen_ubal)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2020, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-seriously-worried-that-these-riots-are-going-to-get-trump-re-elected/919092/134 "2020-08-31T01:23:29Z")
Coupla tweets from Nate Silver. > This is smart, but I'd add one more wrinkle: I think one of the flaws in the current conventional wisdom is in the assumption that the focus on crime/protests/unrest will either benefit Trump or have no effect, when it's plausible it benefits Biden instead. [https://t.co/s7vj3uyHm0](https://t.co/s7vj3uyHm0) > > — Nate Silver (@NateSilver538) [August 31, 2020](https://twitter.com/NateSilver538/status/1300235135699222528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > The nearest proxy for this issue environment is June, when COVID-19 numbers were getting better and there was a lot of focus on both the protests and the looting that was occurring in some cities. Trump \*lost\* ground in the polls during that period. > > — Nate Silver (@NateSilver538) [August 31, 2020](https://twitter.com/NateSilver538/status/1300235796105048066?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) So, thanks for the concern, but it doesn't seem like the unrest has harmed Biden in any measurable way. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2020, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-seriously-worried-that-these-riots-are-going-to-get-trump-re-elected/919092/135 "2020-08-31T01:52:17Z")
> [@galen\_ubal](#): > > Coupla tweets from Nate Silver. > > . . . > > So, thanks for the concern, but it doesn’t seem like the unrest has harmed Biden in any measurable way. There is no proof. But it seems to me that [this chart fits the hypothesis.](https://www.realclearpolitics.com/elections/trump-vs-biden-top-battleground-states/) As for [earlier looting](https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/philly-pharmacies-reeling-rebuilding-after-more-than-a-third-were-looted/article_3d01bf45-1df6-5a46-859f-1b89bc6bcd8e.html) not having hurt Biden, I think that it then appeared to be minor given the scale of peaceful protests. There probably is a tipping point where Trump’s continual appeal to fear gets enough real-world validation to gain traction. Is this a reason for Biden supporters to panic? No, because that won’t help. Then, it won’t hurt either. ---
**Author:** ![DemonTree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/demontree/32/8646_2.png) [@DemonTree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DemonTree)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2020, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-seriously-worried-that-these-riots-are-going-to-get-trump-re-elected/919092/136 "2020-08-31T13:47:02Z")
That’s very sensible, so I predict it’ll be ignored. From looking at third world countries, insecurity on the streets is the fastest way to get right wing, authoritarian candidates elected - or to get a big enough share of the population to support military intervention and make a coup viable. It’s a Maslow’s triangle thing: safety and security are right on the bottom layer, worrying about injustices happening to other people is somewhere near the top. ---
**Author:** ![Dark\_Sponge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dark_sponge/32/121_2.png) [@Dark\_Sponge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dark_Sponge)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2020, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-seriously-worried-that-these-riots-are-going-to-get-trump-re-elected/919092/137 "2020-08-31T19:08:14Z")
> [@Pantastic](#): > > …So I really doubt that ‘MLKJ type protests’ would get the general approval you’re looking for. Plus, of course, most of the violence is coming from outside agitators or is instigated by police, but people looking to complain about ‘riots’ tend to ignore that… I did state it ‘looks bad’ but that isn’t the primary reason I brought it up. I brought it up because non-violent protests are better at effecting change. Violence in the protests incites violence from the opposition and gives the opposition a chance to try to justify their actions. No one is crazy enough now to try to justify the violence brought on the 100% peaceful protests in the 50s. They refused to get violent even when they were agitated and attacked. That’s what shocked people and took away their excuses. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2020, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-seriously-worried-that-these-riots-are-going-to-get-trump-re-elected/919092/138 "2020-09-01T03:36:17Z")
> [@DemonTree](#): > > That’s very sensible, so I predict it’ll be ignored. > > From looking at third world countries, insecurity on the streets is the fastest way to get right wing, authoritarian candidates elected - or to get a big enough share of the population to support military intervention and make a coup viable. It’s a Maslow’s triangle thing: safety and security are right on the bottom layer, worrying about injustices happening to other people is somewhere near the top. Agreed on all points. Also: > [@Dark\_Sponge](#): > > Violence in the protests incites violence from the opposition and gives the opposition a chance to try to justify their actions. No one is crazy enough now to try to justify the violence brought on the 100% peaceful protests in the 50s. They refused to get violent even when they were agitated and attacked. That’s what shocked people and took away their excuses. The moral high ground is a real thing, even if sociopaths like Trump and his most fervent supporters don’t recognize it. The sight of thousands (and more) peaceful protesters marching through city streets is a powerful indictment of Trump and his administration. But nighttime protesting, so easily contaminated by outside agitators and false-flaggers, with shots of burning cars and crowds throwing projectiles, is a much muddier proposition. The only point of nighttime protesting, it seems, is that protesters fear being displaced from the ground they occupied during the day. But though Occupy Wall Street may well have been about a specific piece of NYC real estate, the protests against police brutality are NOT about land. Why should ‘holding territory’ be anything to do with Black Lives Matter? Why not, instead, concentrate on the moving images of tens of thousands of peaceful protesters walking through the sunshine? ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2020, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-seriously-worried-that-these-riots-are-going-to-get-trump-re-elected/919092/139 "2020-09-01T04:14:55Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > But nighttime protesting, so easily contaminated by outside agitators and false-flaggers, Serious question. Have there been any proven instances of false flag protesting? My Google results only return articles where people claim it’s happening. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2020, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-seriously-worried-that-these-riots-are-going-to-get-trump-re-elected/919092/140 "2020-09-01T15:18:23Z")
False flag protesting? Is that even a thing? I’m not even sure that that means. But being an agitator who wishes to undermine the protest by creating violence? Yes. > **[‘Umbrella Man’ went viral breaking windows at a protest. He was a white...](https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/07/29/umbrella-man-white-supremacist-minneapolis/)** > > Minneapolis police identified the man on Monday as an affiliate of a white supremacist group who allegedly sought to “incite violence" at the protest, according to a search warrant affidavit. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-seriously-worried-that-these-riots-are-going-to-get-trump-re-elected/919092.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-seriously-worried-that-these-riots-are-going-to-get-trump-re-elected/919092.md?page=8)