Inciting Violence
"God Bless America" is one of the most used and abused endings of speeches made in public settings. We have heard those words from every U.S.-president and just about every American politician. But is God still blessing America? Or has he given up on this task? Has there ever been a godly blessing over this country? Have the prayers of its citizens been heard? If God blesses America would he let its citizens kill each other? Wouldn't he punish the bigots and xenophobes and the people who kill?
Let's leave God out of the equation for now and ask ourselves how it is possible that the U.S. is seeing a spike in politically motivated violence.
For over 2 years the U.S. President has fed his hateful rhetoric out to Americans, first during his campaigning period, later from the offices of the White House. Time after time we have heard him accusing minorities of all kind of terrible crimes. He has been blaming Mexicans of being rapists and drug dealers. His hapless followers have swallowed his hateful words against Democrats. He threatens and bullies his way through daily politics. Where ever he appears he's spreading hate and furthering division.
So nobody should be surprised that the words of a leader will fall on fertile ground with those who feel they have been treated unfairly in their lives. And in a country awash with dangerous weapons, it is just to be expected that those radicalized individuals feel emboldened by their leader to make themselves heard.
Whether their hate is directed against colored people, Hispanics, Jews or even journalists - it doesn't matter. For them they are all enemies who need to be killed.
America is standing on the rim of a deep gorge. Down below, the fire of hate is devouring decency, compassion, love and unity. It is President Trump who is fanning the fire.
Other countries have laws against inciting violence. In Canada, if I put a threat against another person on Facebook, the police will knock on my door the next day. Civilized countries have laws to protect people against lies and threats. Is Trump above the law? Or is America failing to indict and prosecute this monster of a president?
In criminal law, incitement is the encouragement of another person to commit a crime. Depending on the jurisdiction, some or all types of incitement may be illegal. Where illegal, it is known as an inchoate offense, where harm is intended but may or may not have actually occurred.
Hoping we can turn this around next week by voting some of his partners in crime out of office.If not,I'm going to have to give some serious thought to seeking asylum in Canada.
ReplyDeleteClearly the worst state of affairs in the lifetime of many of us. Our often coveted constitutional democracy is being strained. Only one other time have I considered asylum in Canada, during the Viet Nam war era. Now, were I any younger, it would be the second time.
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