# Which Party Has the Mobs? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 1, 2018, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-party-has-the-mobs/823828 "2018-11-01T10:45:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2018, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-party-has-the-mobs/823828/101 "2018-11-02T02:57:42Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > Throngs of drunken vandals and rock-throwers are mobs. Nazis beating up peaceful protestors are mobs. “Sovereign citizens” terrorizing federal agents with firearms and taking over government property because they don’t want to pay their legally owed fees and taxes are mobs. ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2018, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-party-has-the-mobs/823828/102 "2018-11-02T03:30:50Z")
Let me ask a more general question: Even outside politics my experience has always been that accusers assume others have the same sins they have. When A accuses B of cheating or stealing or lying or lusting after A’s womenfolk, it’s often the case that A is a cheater or thief or liar or luster, respectively. Do others’ experiences agree with this? The tendency is so common that I’m sure it has names. (“It takes one to know one.”?) One certainly sees this with today’s GOP. To see into their hearts just listen to the lies they prattle about their opponents … but realize they’re revealing themselves. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2018, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-party-has-the-mobs/823828/103 "2018-11-02T03:55:27Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > Let me ask a more general question: > > Even outside politics my experience has always been that accusers assume others have the same sins they have. When A accuses B of cheating or stealing or lying or lusting after A’s womenfolk, it’s often the case that A is a cheater or thief or liar or luster, respectively. Do others’ experiences agree with this? The tendency is so common that I’m sure it has names. (“It takes one to know one.”?) > > One certainly sees this with today’s GOP. To see into their hearts just listen to the lies they prattle about their opponents … but realize they’re revealing themselves. Projection, or False Consensus Bias would be the names I’d use. It does seem to be prevalent among today’s Republicans. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2018, 9:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-party-has-the-mobs/823828/104 "2018-11-02T09:46:43Z")
> [@Scylla](#): > > You are literally going to place the death toll from white against black hate crimes at the feet of Republicans, and put that up against the guy shot by the Sanders supporter and claim the score is now 49 to 1 against Republicans. Actually 98 to 1, since that’s 49 killed and 49 wounded v. 1 wounded. But god_ **damn** _, one shouldn’t _need_ to keep a tally of this sort of horror; it should be plainly **obvious** which side is more violent and dangerous. > [@](#): > > I had hoped to appeal to reason, but you seem pretty deeply committed to your tribal monkey jabberings. I am actually sorry to hear that. > > I hope cooler heads prevail and things get better. > > Anyway, good luck to you and to everybody else. I may check back in in a few years, but I think this it for me. > > -Adios Our regret at your departure will be so immeasurable that nobody will bother to measure it. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2018, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-party-has-the-mobs/823828/105 "2018-11-02T11:49:15Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > Seems there was a little disturbance in Charlottesville a year back or so. You might have heard about it. > [@Derleth](#): > > [Jesus Christ, you just drove right into that one, didn’t you?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unite_the_Right_rally) > [@WillFarnaby](#): > > Not a mob. Mobs are roving bands of assault and property destruction. Given that the C’ville Nazis committed multiple acts of assault (and one of murder) as they roamed through the town, they’d sure seem to qualify. You can win this debate in your head by simply defining away the stuff that you don’t want to acknowledge, for whatever good that does you. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2018, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-party-has-the-mobs/823828/106 "2018-11-02T11:49:52Z")
> [@begbert2](#): > > Didn’t you see how he said “urban” in his definition of it? That explicitly means liberal. Oh, “liberal” isn’t the tune _that_ particular dogwhistle plays… ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2018, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-party-has-the-mobs/823828/107 "2018-11-02T12:03:19Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > [Numbers as of July 5, 2018.](https://www.breitbart.com/the-media/2018/07/05/rap-sheet-acts-of-media-approved-violence-and-harassment-against-trump-supporters/) Click and scroll. > > I’d be curious to see what this would look like from the other side, as well. It’s actually worth clicking through for the amusement value. Some for-instances: > [@](#): > > August 19, 2018: Dad Dares Daughter To Knock Off Guy’s MAGA Hat For 100 Bucks. She Does It. > August 18, 2018: Trump supporter assaulted by aging punk rocker. > August 14, 2018: CNN’s Chris Cuomo justifies and encourages violence against Trump supporters. > August 12, 2018: TX Restaurant forced to close social media accounts over photo of Jeff Sessions > August 9, 2018: ‘Frozen’ Actor snatches Trump banner away from audience member > August 9, 2018: Antifa blocks Infowars reporter’s access to park > August 8, 2018: Democrat protester harass GOP rep. “Shame on your Mexican wife!” > August 6, 2018: Infowars reported harassed by Antifa in Portland > August 6, 2018: FL: Vandals throw dead fish on Lee Co. Republican headquarters > August 4, 2018: Democrat Alison Grimes ‘Jokes’ about Rand Paul beating > August 4, 2018: Left-wing terrorists Antifa follow and harass Candace Owens > August 3, 2018: Anarchy Breaks Out in Portland, With the Mayor’s Blessing There are instances of threats or someone being punched or shoved or a brick being thrown through a window, but this list is dense with junk like the ones above. ---
**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:** [November 2, 2018, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-party-has-the-mobs/823828/108 "2018-11-02T14:54:14Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > There are instances of threats or someone being punched or shoved or a brick being thrown through a window, but this list is dense with junk like the ones above. There’s a ton of ones way back that are just stolen yard signs. Stolen by MS-13? No. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2018, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-party-has-the-mobs/823828/109 "2018-11-02T15:12:53Z")
This may be slightly off topic (but what the hell, it’s my topic), but [Trump’s words are making it easier for rulers elsewhere in the world to justify killing people they don’t like.](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/02/world/africa/nigeria-trump-rocks.html) > [@](#): > > Amnesty International as well as leaders of the protest said more than 40 people were killed at the march and two other smaller marches, with more than 100 wounded by bullets. A Reuters reporter counted 20 bodies at the main march. > > \ > > Early Friday morning, the [Nigerian] military responded to the criticism. > > The Army’s official Twitter account posted a video, “Please Watch and Make Your Deductions,” showing Mr. Trump’s anti-migrant speech on Thursday in which he said rocks would be considered firearms if thrown toward the American military at the nation’s borders. ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2018, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-party-has-the-mobs/823828/110 "2018-11-02T18:55:58Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > This may be slightly off topic (but what the hell, it’s my topic), but [Trump’s words are making it easier for rulers elsewhere in the world to justify killing people they don’t like.](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/02/world/africa/nigeria-trump-rocks.html) So, we’re Making the Whole World Great Again? ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2018, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-party-has-the-mobs/823828/111 "2018-11-02T22:14:22Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > I’m honestly not sure what you’re asking. Are you saying that we shouldn’t include the head of the Republican party from the count of people who embrace conspiracy theories about Democrats and minorities? And, what the president and head of the Republican party says shouldn’t count towards riling up mobs? > > **octopus** , I thought your mention of the loony left in this particular thread was extremely knee-jerk and pretty disingenuous. Do you agree with the premise of the OP or not? If you include Trump, do you agree with that premise? Trump is so nutty that it skews the comparisons. I think that there are factions and lone nuts that are loosely affiliated with each side of the spectrum. I think political violence, in general, is bad. Which is worse? I think neo Nazis are clearly dangerous and are rightfully revolting to most. I think violence that is less severe but obfuscated by slightly more nobler sound bites is more dangerous in the long run even if the body count at the moment is lower. ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2018, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-party-has-the-mobs/823828/112 "2018-11-03T00:26:38Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > So, we’re Making the Whole World Great Again? [Tanzania’s government urges citizens to turn in names of gay people.](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-46048804) I don’t know but would not be surprised to learn that U.S. evangelical elements had a hand in this. I believe they have pushed similar things in Uganda. [“The anti-homosexuality bill would never have come about without the involvement of American fundamentalist evangelicals.”](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/how-uganda-was-seduced-by-anti-gay-conservative-evangelicals-9193593.html) ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2018, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-party-has-the-mobs/823828/113 "2018-11-03T00:30:42Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > …violence that is less severe but obfuscated by slightly more nobler sound bites… Cite. > [@octopus](#): > > I think violence that is less severe but obfuscated by slightly more nobler sound bites is more dangerous in the long run even if the body count at the moment is lower. How so? ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2018, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-party-has-the-mobs/823828/114 "2018-11-03T02:26:42Z")
> [@Guest-starring\_Id](#): > > Cite. > > How so? Cite for an opinion? Well, it’s my opinion that violence in the name of something noble sounding is more readily acceptable to a larger audience. Genocide because of racial supremacist ideology strikes most people as bad. Violence because free speech is hate speech doesn’t come across as dangerous as it actually is. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2018, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-party-has-the-mobs/823828/115 "2018-11-03T03:44:43Z")
Well, at the very least, you could cite the alleged obfuscation. What relatively less violent leftist actions do you think have been ignored or downplayed? ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2018, 9:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-party-has-the-mobs/823828/116 "2018-11-03T09:56:33Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > I think violence that is less severe but obfuscated by slightly more nobler sound bites is more dangerous in the long run even if the body count at the moment is lower. You can _think_ whatever you want. Doesn’t make it relevant. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2018, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-party-has-the-mobs/823828/117 "2018-11-03T13:16:28Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > Trump is so nutty that it skews the comparisons. I think that there are factions and lone nuts that are loosely affiliated with each side of the spectrum. I think political violence, in general, is bad. > > Which is worse? I think neo Nazis are clearly dangerous and are rightfully revolting to most. I think violence that is less severe but obfuscated by slightly more nobler sound bites is more dangerous in the long run even if the body count at the moment is lower. Right, but Trump is the reason we’re having these comparisons. His speech has, purposely or not, emboldened racists, white nationalists, and other right wing groups. We didn’t have these conversations during the Bush or Obama administrations because they weren’t so obviously pandering to right-wing or left-wing extremists. So, I’m going to have to disappoint you and say that, no, Trump shouldn’t be excluded from these comparisons. It’s OK to say that, right now, it’s the Republican party that has more mobs. I would guess that, in the 1960s, between the Southern Racist Democrats and the Northern Civil Rights Democrats, it was fair to say that the Democratic Party had more. Back then, I imagine the Republicans sat around in their mansions and the banks they owned and clucked their tongues at all the unpleasantness. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2018, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-party-has-the-mobs/823828/118 "2018-11-03T15:11:29Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > Cite for an opinion? > > Well, it’s my opinion that violence in the name of something noble sounding is more readily acceptable to a larger audience. Genocide because of racial supremacist ideology strikes most people as bad. Violence because free speech is hate speech doesn’t come across as dangerous as it actually is. If I’m parsing this correctly, you are trying to say that slugging a Nazi for killing a black person is worse than the Nazi actually killing a black person because it’s morally ambiguous and some people might approve of it? ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2018, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-party-has-the-mobs/823828/119 "2018-11-03T15:11:33Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > It’s actually worth clicking through for the amusement value. Some for-instances: > > There are instances of threats or someone being punched or shoved or a brick being thrown through a window, but this list is dense with junk like the ones above. If it were just a few of the type of issues you cite, this really wouldn’t be an issue. But rampant. Grabbing someone’s hat may not seem like a big deal, but the retaliation it would rightly merit can escalate quickly. And the sheer number combined with the more serious ones makes this something that shouldn’t be hand waved away. Look at the crowds outside the rallies leading up to the election. And here are two more recent examples of behavior that has no place in civilized society: [Vile, pussy Antifa shithead.](https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2018/10/woman-whose-husband-died-on-9-11-assaulted-by-antifa-thug-when-thug-confronted-instant-karma-video/) [Bullying shithead white liberal accosting smaller black guy.](https://clashdaily.com/2018/10/watch-white-leftist-confronts-black-man-with-maga-hat-and-its-disgusting/) ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2018, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-party-has-the-mobs/823828/120 "2018-11-03T15:44:26Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > And here are two more recent examples of behavior that has no place in civilized society: > > [Vile, pussy Antifa shithead.](https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2018/10/woman-whose-husband-died-on-9-11-assaulted-by-antifa-thug-when-thug-confronted-instant-karma-video/) > > [Bullying shithead white liberal accosting smaller black guy.](https://clashdaily.com/2018/10/watch-white-leftist-confronts-black-man-with-maga-hat-and-its-disgusting/) Excellent. Now, please cite instances where the Democratic Party or high-level Democratic politicians encourage this, support the antifa, and so on. Otherwise, these examples are purest bullshit – the question isn’t whether there are leftist troublemakers; it’s which party is encouraging their fringes. Repeat after me: The Democratic party does not support antifa. Please read the title of the thread before responding. Otherwise, you’re just being a knee-jerk, disingenuous asshole. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-party-has-the-mobs/823828.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-party-has-the-mobs/823828.md?page=7)