# Oh dear, the violence has started **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [October 16, 2016, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-dear-the-violence-has-started/768778 "2016-10-16T22:25:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2016, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-dear-the-violence-has-started/768778/181 "2016-10-17T16:01:49Z")
> [@ThisIsTheEnd](#): > > If a guy burns down his own empty house for insurance money, are you going to condemn him for “the violence?” You do if he tries to frame you for it. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2016, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-dear-the-violence-has-started/768778/182 "2016-10-17T16:13:15Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > As I said back on page 1 this isn’t good news. > > But I wonder how many of the folks asserting this is the beginning of the end of the Republic lived through the late '60s and early 70s? Not too many I suspect. > > Across our nation of 320 million Americans probably a couple hundred will die in political violence in the next year. That’s certainly a couple hundred more than we’d prefer. And some more than in recent years depending on how we want to score various acts as “political”. > > But if it is a couple hundred citizens it remains a pinprick. For comparison’s sake, it takes about 4 \*days \*for drunk / texting drivers to kill a couple hundred equally innocent Americans. > > Lack of perspective is by far the greater danger here. It was lack of perspective about the real volume of threat from Islamic terrorism in the US that lead to gross overreactions like the Patriot Act, the Department of Homeland Security, a big recession, a stock market swoon, and all the rest. We “fined” ourselves trillions of dollars in lost wealth for our irrationally overblown fears. And (arguably) set off on a rampage in the Mideast that cost additional trillions of dollars plus untold tens of thousands of lives, both American, allied, and locals. > We collectively need to calmly work through the law enforcement process to deal with politically-motivated violence both this next week and this next year. And every year thereafter. While ruthlessly avoiding being stampeded by sensationalist news and sensationalist echo chambers that amplify fear and outrage like a laser cavity amplifies light, into ignorant sensationalist escalations. > > Trump and his most anti-social supporters are the result of 30 years of sensationalist exaggeration of the threat _to them_. Let’s not have the other 310 million of us launch off in an equally stupid crusade based on an exaggerated fear of the threat _to us_. Posts like this are why I still read this board. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![oft\_wears\_hats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7993a0/32.png) [@oft\_wears\_hats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oft_wears_hats)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2016, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-dear-the-violence-has-started/768778/183 "2016-10-17T16:15:50Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > You do if he tries to frame you for it. Or if a mob mistakes the cause of the fire and decides to burn down someone else’s house in retaliation. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2016, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-dear-the-violence-has-started/768778/184 "2016-10-17T16:26:39Z")
> [@oft\_wears\_hats](#): > > Or if a mob mistakes the cause of the fire and decides to burn down someone else’s house in retaliation. It doesn’t help when their Grand Poobah has already announced, without a shred of evidence, who the guilty party is. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2016, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-dear-the-violence-has-started/768778/185 "2016-10-17T16:33:19Z")
> [@oft\_wears\_hats](#): > > Or if a mob mistakes the cause of the fire and decides to burn down someone else’s house in retaliation. There’s the real risk. Less-stable countries are full of stories of mobs exacting “revenge” on innocent minority communities based on rumors of some outrage that later proves unfounded. And the cycle of retaliation spins up until we end up with \*de facto \*ethnic cleansing as various minorities flea the areas where they are minorities for the relative safety of areas where they are majorities, or at least larger minorities. With the utterly predictable result that the two geographically separated groups grow to misunderstand and demonize one another more and more over time. The lesson from Copts in Egypt, Shias / Sunnis in Iraq, Bosniaks in Bosnia, Moros in the Philippines, and hundreds of other flashpoints around the world is simple: break the cycle early. Or pay the vastly larger price. This country bifurcating (tri-furcating?) into multi-generational clans of rural residents, distinct from urban/suburban residents is more of the same. The gulf of mutual incomprehension is growing. Add to that increasing economic inequality, educational inequality, etc. and we’re slowly growing a pretty combustible mixture. One that warrants deliberate management by thoughtful adults. Not demagoguery in pursuit of advertising revenue. ---
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2016, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-dear-the-violence-has-started/768778/186 "2016-10-17T16:45:11Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > The level of anger and even rage in this election is quite incredible. The Sanders/Clinton supporters got very heated. Now Trump/Clinton supporters are vandalizing property and even some physical violence. > > Feelings are on a knife’s edge. I worry about what will happen in the next 6 to 8 weeks. Things may really boil over after the voting and the results come in. > > It’s not who we are. Elections come and go. We don’t need all this rage. Yeah, the rage erupting into violence is quite worrisome. Definitely not a good sign! ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2016, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-dear-the-violence-has-started/768778/187 "2016-10-17T17:53:04Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Bravo to the local Dems for making lemonade our of lemons and getting the crowdfunding to help the Reps rebuild their facility. Hear, hear. Also, unqualified approval for this - > [@](#): > > Early Sunday evening the Clinton campaign tweeted a note of sympathy. > “The attack on the Orange County HQ @NCGOP office is horrific and unacceptable. Very grateful that everyone is safe.” And this - > [@](#): > > The North Carolina Republican Party tweeted its appreciation in response. > “Thank you for your thoughts & prayers, Sec. @HillaryClinton.” That’s how politics is done, or it should be. I don’t know who did it, or why, and I don’t care. This was wrong. Period. We cannot let _any_ partisan considerations affect us when it comes to shit like this - the country cannot afford it, and still function. As Ben Franklin said, “we must all hang together, or we will most assuredly hang separately.” Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2016, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-dear-the-violence-has-started/768778/188 "2016-10-17T17:56:05Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > I don’t know who did it, or why, and I don’t care. This was wrong. Period. We cannot let _any_ partisan considerations affect us when it comes to shit like this - the country cannot afford it, and still function. Trump knows. He knows everything. Alternatively, he’s just keen to throw gasoline on the fire. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2016, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-dear-the-violence-has-started/768778/189 "2016-10-17T17:59:18Z")
> [@ThisIsTheEnd](#): > > I’ll be shocked if it turns out not to be a hoax. > > If it’s a hoax then it’s not an appalling anti-democratic act, or even violence for that matter. Stand around in a candle vigil if you want, I’m not. What’s the hoax? Are you saying there might not have really been a fire bombing of this office? ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2016, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-dear-the-violence-has-started/768778/190 "2016-10-17T18:01:49Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > the jerk that wrote the graffiti may have just watched some spaghetti western with similar phrasing in it or something. Well, we know he didn’t just watch Monty Python … …or else it’d have said “Republicanes Eunt Domus”. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2016, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-dear-the-violence-has-started/768778/191 "2016-10-17T18:03:29Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > That’s how politics is done, or it should be. > > I don’t know who did it, or why, and I don’t care. This was wrong. Period. We cannot let _any_ partisan considerations affect us when it comes to shit like this - the country cannot afford it, and still function. > > As Ben Franklin said, “we must all hang together, or we will most assuredly hang separately.” Agreed. Let’s not worry about whose ox got gored and get the people responsible for it. None of us are safe when any political party’s buildings are attacked. ---
**Author:** ![Katriona](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/katriona/32/113_2.png) [@Katriona](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Katriona)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2016, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-dear-the-violence-has-started/768778/192 "2016-10-17T18:26:53Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > The violence didhttp://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/images/editor/smilie.gifn’t **start** with this incident. There was a foiled [bomb plot in Kansas City targeting Somali refugees](http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-kansas-bomb-plot-targeting-somalis-20161014-story.html). Nitpick; not in Kansas City. Western KS, about 6 or so hours from Kansas City. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2016, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-dear-the-violence-has-started/768778/193 "2016-10-17T19:28:14Z")
> [@sleestak](#): > > It is always funny to watch liberals wet themselves over the supposed calls to violence from the right when, if you actually look at recent history, the liberals are the ones burning shit, breaking things and shooting people for political reasons. [Tell me more about your world](http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/videos/a49676/trump-supporter-hillary-taken-out-patriot/) > [@](#): > > The Wall Street Journal spoke to a man named Dan Bowman at a recent Trump event, and, after he agreed to take off his Trump mask, Bowman happily described how Clinton “needs to be taken out” and that, if necessary, he’s willing to be the “patriot” who does just that. > […] > Bowman seems to think it’s self-evident that the extra-judicial murder of a public official would be warranted: > > “If she’s corrupt, why should she be able to stay in office? Answer that question.” > […] > “I hope we can start a coup. She should be in prison or shot…We’re going to have a revolution and take them out of office if that’s what it takes. There’s going to be a lot of bloodshed.” ---
**Author:** ![awldune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c77e96/32.png) [@awldune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/awldune)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2016, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-dear-the-violence-has-started/768778/194 "2016-10-17T19:43:26Z")
I grew up in Hillsborough. This GOP office is very much a random, small-town office of no consequence. If you look at the street view for 347 Ja-Max Dr Hillsborough NC you will get a good idea of what we’re talking about. (BTW, you will see there was almost certainly no CCTV camera to capture the event) My feeling is that this was perpetrated by a local high school boy, or possibly a local high school boy and his buddy. Very surprising to me this has made the national news. If I am right about it being a kid, the story will get out eventually. If it was an adult we may never know. ---
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2016, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-dear-the-violence-has-started/768778/195 "2016-10-17T19:51:50Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > [Tell me more about your world](http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/videos/a49676/trump-supporter-hillary-taken-out-patriot/) That sort of thing seems like it would warrant a visit from secret service. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2016, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-dear-the-violence-has-started/768778/196 "2016-10-17T20:22:35Z")
[Arizona Republic getting threats](http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/arizona-republic-responds-to-threats-after-presidential-endorsement/ar-AAj1JcD) for endorsing Hillary ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2016, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-dear-the-violence-has-started/768778/197 "2016-10-17T20:44:54Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Hear, hear. > > Also, unqualified approval for this -And this -That’s how politics is done, or it should be. > > I don’t know who did it, or why, and I don’t care. This was wrong. Period. We cannot let _any_ partisan considerations affect us when it comes to shit like this - the country cannot afford it, and still function. > > As Ben Franklin said, “we must all hang together, or we will most assuredly hang separately.” Nice to have a moment of agreement :). ---
**Author:** ![marshmallow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@marshmallow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marshmallow)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2016, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-dear-the-violence-has-started/768778/198 "2016-10-17T20:51:36Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > What are you talking about? [Trump supporter punches black protestor in the face.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzU3FLZgIhc) [Conservative abortion clinic shooters.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-abortion_violence#United_States) [Ferguson businesses burn.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRjlPWgxxNY) Black people are overwhelmingly anti-Trump. Another addition could be the burning of black churches in recent years. Most haven’t been solved so the motives are unclear. At least one was linked to a member of the Aryan Brotherhood, so at least part of it is conservative. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2016, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-dear-the-violence-has-started/768778/199 "2016-10-17T21:16:34Z")
[Dem office in Carrboro NC vandalized](http://www.rawstory.com/2016/10/nc-democratic-headquarters-attacked-on-same-night-nearby-gop-office-was-firebombed/) Carrboro is about 25 minutes from Hillsborough. Both attacks occurred Sunday morning. Just FYI. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2016, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-dear-the-violence-has-started/768778/200 "2016-10-17T21:22:06Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > [Dem office in Carrboro NC vandalized](http://www.rawstory.com/2016/10/nc-democratic-headquarters-attacked-on-same-night-nearby-gop-office-was-firebombed/) > > Carrboro is about 25 minutes from Hillsborough. Both attacks occurred Sunday morning. Just FYI. Gee-it’s as if there’s a fringe group out there that is lashing out at both mainstream Republicans _and_ Democrats. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-dear-the-violence-has-started/768778.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-dear-the-violence-has-started/768778.md?page=11)