# What good does it to be a part of a protest on inauguration day? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [January 18, 2017, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-does-it-to-be-a-part-of-a-protest-on-inauguration-day/777463 "2017-01-18T12:46:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2017, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-does-it-to-be-a-part-of-a-protest-on-inauguration-day/777463/161 "2017-01-20T23:33:07Z")
On the off chance that anybody’s still interested in discussing the original thread topic, I’ll revisit this when I come back from the DC march in case I encounter any other ideas to share on what good it does to be part of a protest. 🙂 See you! ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2017, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-does-it-to-be-a-part-of-a-protest-on-inauguration-day/777463/162 "2017-01-20T23:42:02Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > Reality isn’t quite so binary. Do you have another explanation? You’ll note that I’m not saying that anyone who flies or defends the Confederate flag (which includes some of my relatives of whom I’m fond) is evil or irredeemable. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-does-it-to-be-a-part-of-a-protest-on-inauguration-day/777463/163 "2017-01-21T00:30:05Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > So we shouldn’t take anything you say seriously until, say, you admit that it’s entirely reasonable to see the Confederate flag as a racist symbol, and anyone who flies it or defends it is either a racist or utterly ignorant of history? > > Or is this just an excuse to ignore an organization that you don’t like because they might have made a single mistake? According to your cite, 66% of whites and 17% of blacks believe the Confederate flag is more a symbol of Southern pride than a symbol of racism. That’s the majority opinion in this country. I’m not calling the minority opinion “unreasonable”, but to call 66% of whites and 17% of blacks “racist or utterly ignorant of history” for having a different opinion seems a good bit over the top. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-does-it-to-be-a-part-of-a-protest-on-inauguration-day/777463/164 "2017-01-21T00:31:06Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > On the off chance that anybody’s still interested in discussing the original thread topic, I’ll revisit this when I come back from the DC march in case I encounter any other ideas to share on what good it does to be part of a protest. 🙂 See you! We’ve thoroughly derailed the thread, but I hope you have a wonderful time at your march, and look forward to your report back here afterwards. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-does-it-to-be-a-part-of-a-protest-on-inauguration-day/777463/165 "2017-01-21T01:00:01Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > According to your cite, 66% of whites and 17% of blacks believe the Confederate flag is more a symbol of Southern pride than a symbol of racism. That’s the majority opinion in this country. > > I’m not calling the minority opinion “unreasonable”, but to call 66% of whites and 17% of blacks “racist or utterly ignorant of history” for having a different opinion seems a good bit over the top. Have they flown the flag, or actively defended it? That’s different than answering a question on a poll. I’m criticizing Breitbart, who actively defended flying it. That’s a racist, or entirely ignorant, position. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-does-it-to-be-a-part-of-a-protest-on-inauguration-day/777463/166 "2017-01-21T01:02:07Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Have they flown the flag, or actively defended it? That’s different than answering a question on a poll. I’m criticizing Breitbart, who actively defended flying it. That’s a racist, or entirely ignorant, position. So holding the opinion is fine, but saying, or writing it, is racist / ignorant? That’s a very … interesting … point of view. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-does-it-to-be-a-part-of-a-protest-on-inauguration-day/777463/167 "2017-01-21T01:42:25Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > So holding the opinion is fine, but saying, or writing it, is racist / ignorant? That’s a very … interesting … point of view. It’s not my point of view. A poll can’t capture nuance, and it’s very possible that many of the people who said the flag is a symbol of “Southern pride” still condemn it (because they recognize many of their neighbors see it as racist) and would never fly it or defend it. In fact, I personally know many southerners who feel this way. My point of view is that it’s either racist or highly ignorant to fly or defend flying the Confederate flag. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Economist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c89c15/32.png) [@Evil\_Economist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Economist)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-does-it-to-be-a-part-of-a-protest-on-inauguration-day/777463/168 "2017-01-21T01:53:13Z")
> [@Evil\_Economist](#): > > I remember when we were discussing the DOJ report on Ferguson, and if I remember correctly you had a great deal of trouble identifying racial bias, even when there was a detailed report describing it to you. > > Your racial sensitivities seem to have been amended considerably since that discussion. So congratulations, I guess. > > So, I guess this is a good time to ask: did the DOJ report on Ferguson conclude to your satisfaction that there was a significant racial bias in the treatment of black people in Ferguson? Hey, **HurricaneDitka** , don’t forget to answer this question. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2017, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-does-it-to-be-a-part-of-a-protest-on-inauguration-day/777463/169 "2017-01-21T10:04:45Z")
To quote our president: > [@](#): > > We can’t let this happen. We should march on Washington and stop this travesty. Our nation is totally divided! Donald Trump, 2012 ---
**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:** [January 23, 2017, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-does-it-to-be-a-part-of-a-protest-on-inauguration-day/777463/170 "2017-01-23T01:56:34Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > To quote our president: Donald Trump, 2012 Didn’t his tweets of that day also mention something how Obama wasn’t the real President because he won in the Electoral College, not through the popular vote? ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2017, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-does-it-to-be-a-part-of-a-protest-on-inauguration-day/777463/171 "2017-01-23T02:03:41Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > We’ve thoroughly derailed the thread, but I hope you have a wonderful time at your march, and look forward to your report back here afterwards. Thank you! 🙂 Report: A. The march was great B. My feet are very sore Details to follow! ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2017, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-does-it-to-be-a-part-of-a-protest-on-inauguration-day/777463/172 "2017-01-23T02:11:11Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Didn’t his tweets of that day also mention something how Obama wasn’t the real President because he won in the Electoral College, not through the popular vote? [Yes.](http://mashable.com/2012/11/06/trump-reacts-to-election/#xHa7xxH7iuqE) > [@Donald Trump](#): > > We can’t let this happen. We should march on Washington and stop this travesty. Our nation is totally divided! > > Lets fight like hell and stop this great and disgusting injustice! The world is laughing at us. > > This election is a total sham and a travesty. We are not a democracy! > > The electoral college is a disaster for a democracy. > > He lost the popular vote by a lot and won the election. We should have a revolution in this country! > > More votes equals a loss…revolution! ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2017, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-does-it-to-be-a-part-of-a-protest-on-inauguration-day/777463/173 "2017-01-23T02:57:19Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Didn’t his tweets of that day also mention something how Obama wasn’t the real President because he won in the Electoral College, not through the popular vote? Which is doubly hilarious, since Obama handily won the popular vote in both elections (by 10mm in 2008, and 5mm in 2012). Not just hilariously hypocritical, but also factually incorrect. (Only 2 presidents have won despite losing the popular vote in living memory - Trump, and GW Bush (in his first term). The only other 3 are all in the 19th century - John Quincy Adams in 1824, Rutherford B Hayes in 1876, and Benjamin Harrison in 1888.) ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2017, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-does-it-to-be-a-part-of-a-protest-on-inauguration-day/777463/174 "2017-01-23T16:05:29Z")
> [@Damuri\_Ajashi](#): > > They are venting. > > Not in DC they’re not. At least not “probably” I was wrong about the violence ☹ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-does-it-to-be-a-part-of-a-protest-on-inauguration-day/777463.md?page=8)