I find myself in something of a pickle when it comes to this subject. I may have lost control in a discussion with an individual who describes himself as a Trotskiite (which is surprisingly relevant, as you'll see). In previous posts on that same blog, I've expressed my disdain for police along lines that are almost identical to yours. However, the pickle in question is the subject of Antifa, which is a violent gang that should be stopped. Now, one could make the argument that, were it not for Trump's election in the first place, Antifa wouldn't be rioting on a regular basis, but even if that were the case, Antifa is still a violent gang, and they regularly violate other people's rights. So, my logic is thus: if the state prevents citizens from defending themselves and their property (Minnesota has strict duty-to-retreat laws, contrasted with Pennsylvania, which has castle doctrine), then in the interest of preventing the violence from continuing, what is wrong with the federal government doing what the state will not? In other words, does it really matter who stops the violence in the end, as long as it is stopped?
You are viewing a single comment's thread from:
The problems with this seemingly plausible arguments are numerous, though.
AntiFa is a problem, but not one solved by ramping up authoritarianism. All problems can only be resolved by more liberty, and no one seems to be pushing that way except for the Boog Boyz.
Ramping up authoritarianism isn't something I want either, but the solution to a long-term problem may not work in the short term. That's what I wanted to know - if "law-abiding" citizens are prohibited from defending themselves, and no-one else is protecting them, what then? I tried to put myself in the situation, and asked "would I want the National Guard to come in and drive the black bloc out?" but then I remembered, I'd never live in a place like Minneapolis begin with!
Of course, my biggest problem is with Antifa and gangs like it. This is why we can't have nice things. Every time they latch on to a peaceful protest and turn it violent, it's another excuse for the State to take away more of our liberties. Antifa especially pisses me off, because they give anarchists a bad name. It should come as no surprise that I can feel my blood pressure rising every time I get the slightest suspicion that someone is about to defend them.