I am not condoning the violence or damage that people are perpetrating around this. I was just saying that it is the actions of Musk that have inspired it as the actions of Trump inspired the events of Jan 6.
There is discussion here around forms of protest such as the climate protesters who have vandalised company buildings. I have issues with that, but peaceful protest should always be possible. Some climate protesters have been arrested when being peaceful, e.g. sitting in roads, but farmers protesting about tax changes were allowed to drive their tractors into London and cause disruption. I am concerned about some actions of the Labour government even though they align much more with my beliefs than the Conservatives. The 'left' is not what it used to be.
From what I have seen the US is more divided, but then it may just be that I see more reports and many people are not that worked up about politics. You will not see so many overt signs of political allegiance here (no MAGA hat equivalent), but you are likely to see things like pro-Palestinian badges. I know people who are Conservative voters and they may even praise Trump, but I'm not falling out with them unless they say hateful things.
UK political attitudes may just be different to the US. I do think that certain elements have been trying to make politics more divisive, e.g. Nigel Farage.
I grew up in an area with a lot of Indian, West Indian and other nationalities and there was little friction there. It does flare up at times. Farage has been responsible for some of that and Musk stirred it too with comments about Starmer etc.
I have to wonder what more 'traditional' Republicans think of the state of their party since Trump took it over. I have heard that current members of Congress get threats if they step out of line. I have listened to The Rest Is Politics podcasts that have featured Anthony Scaramucci. He is very much against his old boss.
We live in 'interesting' times.
I see, I appreciate the clarification.
I don't think peaceful protestors should be bothered. I've also seen some news reports about how people are being rounded up by the police for their social media posts over there but I'm not sure how accurate or prevalent that is. The global news coverage we see here is so heavily spun one direction or another it's hard to trust. My impression of England, and most of Western Europe, was always one of cultural acceptance and harmony—or at least much greater than we have here in America.
Regarding what traditional Republicans think...it seems like a majority of politicians on both sides have thrown their moral compasses out the window, quite honestly. Their only allegiance is to the one with the power to affect their personal political/financial futures. There are a few who still try to do the right thing but those in power threaten to "primary" them (kill their chances of re-election) so they just end up towing the party line.
Some people were arrested over social posts, but they had to be threatening violence for that to happen. It has happened in various cases, but such laws need to be carefully managed. I know Musk has said he is a 'free speech absolutist', but may take down criticism of himself and most countries have laws around libel and threats.
I see Musk as a threat to US/world stability in various ways. He wants to disrupt and is being allowed to get his way, for now. Don't get me started on the idiocy of Trump...
It is easy to get dispirited about politics, but we need to find signs of hope. Change needs to be peaceful, but divisions are not easily healed.
That sounds much more rational than what the news and social media posts are saying about it over here. They're claiming people are being arrested just for posting their disagreement with certain immigration policies. That didn't seem like it could be true and is a good example of how the truth can be twisted for certain ends. Some American media outlets would have us believing England has slipped into full-on Orwellianism. Yes, I've seen Musk take down certain posts on X and deactivate accounts. I agree, that is very hypocritical of someone claiming to be a free speech absolutist.
I'm growing to fear the increasing ability of the media to cloud peoples' perceptions every bit as much as I am extreme politicians. Change doesn't have to be, and shouldn't be, destructive. I still think, if pressed, most people would realize their positions on most issues are moderate. Lets hope people come to their senses. I hope it's still possible for America to heal itself.