As I mentioned in my Dec. 13 post, I try to run the most balanced information I can find on what’s going on and tend to avoid opinion articles and media editorials.
But the Times’ series on violent extremism is trying to point out all the levers to protect our democracy from political violence and seems to me worth our attention.
“One of the most effective ways to deter political violence is to make it unacceptable in public life. To do that, all political leaders have an important role to play,” says the Times in its Nov. 26 editorial.
"Leaders in politics, law enforcement, the media and elsewhere have an obligation to do everything they can to remove from public life those who participate in or endorse political violence.
"The onus falls on Republicans. While voters this month rejected some of the most extreme candidates, the party is still very much under the spell of Mr. Trump and his brand of authoritarianism. Two prominent Republicans who have been outspoken about right-wing extremism and baseless lies, Representatives Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, have been driven out of office. Meanwhile, the spread of conspiracy theories that have already inspired violence continues unabated from politicians and conservative media.
"Even if Mr. Trump doesn’t become the party’s nominee for president, the party and many of its supporters seem to have convinced themselves that the spread of extremism in service of their causes is not an urgent concern. Those who can influence the direction of the party — its voters and its biggest donors and supporters — must do everything they can to convince them otherwise. American democracy depends on it.
"Democrats, too, have a role to play. They should not spend money on far-right fringe candidates in the primaries with the hopes of beating them in general elections. To do so only further pollutes the public square, even if it can lead to Democratic victories, as it apparently did this year. Rather than giving in to the temptation to tar the entire party with the actions of its worst members, Democrats should continue to find opportunities for bipartisanship whenever possible.
"The alternative is allowing extremism to run rampant until the degradation of American politics is complete.
"Political disagreement need not include the menace of violence. Americans, and their political leaders, have the ability to choose a different future.”
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