Sunday Thoughts: Politics and Violence

The Democrats did not control the New York Senate for years, partially because of a coalition of independents that Governor Cuomo helped as a means to retain power. The legislature was divided, leading to a "three men in a room" (governor and one from each legislative body) dynamic.

My former state senator, the granddaughter of a disgraced member of Congress, helped to end their control and regain Democratic control of the Senate. Biaggi was young and enthusiastic. She is a strong feminist voice. 

An article on IDC challengers notably cites two (including Jessica Ramos, making her support of Cuomo that much more disgusting) who are running for mayor. And, won't win. I think it's fairly safe to say that. Still, Zellnor Myrie is fine.

President Trump should start with a nationwide address condemning violence and taking steps to bring people together as a national leader. As someone who has been the victim of political violence himself, he should understand the stakes and the need for empathy, reassurance, and guarantees of free expression and democratic engagement.

Richard Hasen, Election Law guy, says this in his statement responding to a political assassination in Minnesota. We are at that point in the chat. 

Anyway, Hasen's strong denunciation of political violence is valid. I do not support the "punching Nazis" even as a a rhetorical strategy. 

Use some other language. Violence these days is dangerous, even rhetorically. 

One person said we need to be open to serious harm to ourselves in the fight against fascism. Okay. I don't know when he is going to be seriously at risk of being beaten up by the police or something, but okay. 

Still, it is hard to take to have him saying that and not say "yeah right." He pardoned insurrectionists and multiple other people involved in political violence. Is he going to suddenly stop? Being a victim of political violence (barely -- I'm sorry -- he was grazed) didn't stop him there.

Trump is suddenly now going to show "empathy, reassurance, and guarantees of free expression and democratic engagement"? Who is going to take him seriously? There are some people and institutions (including leaders of the Republican Party) who might take a lesson here. Perhaps, Trump can show himself by his actions. I don't trust him to stay on script if there is some sort of national address.  

When people say this sort of thing, they need to at least note reality.