American Carnage; Antifa's lawlessness

The rioting is out of control. It’s been a little over a week since the barbaric killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis by police. Something feels different this time with the reactions from nearly everyone. Common sense tells me the meltdown and violence around the country are being stoked. But even with all the violence and carnage, the message of unity is getting out. I’ve never seen such support for the black community, from the Church and from law enforcement.

 Baltimore police took a ‘hands off’ approach to policing after the Freddie Gray incident. They still have a presence but it’s significantly reduced. Typically though, the murder rate had gone up 3 times in 2018, but what can they do? It’s too risky for the cops to stop people for shoplifting or vandalism. That's what will likely happen here, a kind of reverse 'broken windows' plan.  

 The carnage gets all the attention because it’s unprecedented in this country. Or if not unprecedented, at least it’s not something that happens every year. Los Angeles has seen terrible rioting in the 60s and the early 90s. Detroit had its day, as did Chicago during the Democratic convention of 1968. I don’t know a lot about Antifa or how they work, but you can bet they’re organized and entrenched in most major cities. I don't assume all the looting, burning and violence is by Antifa, but I do think they organize a lot of it.

The Justice department has been studying them since at least the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Va. They wear masks and bludgeon people, like journalist Andy Ngo, who disagree with their Marxist policies. Officially they oppose Racism, Fascism and Capitalism. But when everyone is a fascist, racist and capitalist then no one is. They think America itself is guilty of all 3. But not just guilty of past grievances, 'rooted' in white supremacy since the founding. What chance does anyone stand if the country itself is sinful? They can think whatever they want but when they start to force their views with clubs and carnage, we have a problem.

Portland, Oregon is their stronghold. They seem to have the run of the place, shutting down traffic when they want and beating up citizens who get in the way.

They use the threat of violence to shut down conservative speakers at college campuses like Ann Coulter and Milo Yiannopoulos. They just tell the college they’ll burn and pillage if the guest is allowed to speak. The college shuts it down for ‘safety’. It isn’t hard to arrest these guys either. Just set a trap and arrest everyone throwing bombs and bricks. Make an announcement that Ben Shapiro is speaking at Stanford or wherever and wait for the mob to show up. Give them a few minutes to get start rioting and bring in a massive swat force. Charge them federally and make the sentences long.

This isn’t difficult but no one does it. Is it because of fear or is there some sympathy on America’s campuses from the faculty? Free speech doesn’t go on campus anymore sadly. These are domestic thugs that break easily when you apply the pressure of a serious jail time. They’ve been treated with kid gloves and given safe haven cities to dominate. But they aren’t terrorists in the mold of Al Qaeda. They’re bratty, rent-a-mob punks.

Aggressive burning and looting allowed to go unpunished by police, or other law enforcement will bring a counter force. No one wants right wing thugs running around anymore than we want left wing thugs. But if something isn’t done about it that’s exactly what will happen, especially if they come to the suburbs. This is still a country with a strong second amendment; a lot unsavory people have stockpiled weapons. Not to mention the regular folks who have guns and plan to defend if attacked. And guess what, they don’t live on 5^th Avenue or Rodeo Drive or Michigan Avenue. And since they’ve seen the destruction on TV they’re likely preparing for violence. City store fronts and parked cars don’t fight back, country folks do.

 The police and National Guard have about 1 more week (a guess) of this kind of destruction. Then the militias will take it back. And they won’t be using clubs and spray paint either. They’ll have shotguns and tactical gear. Punk rioters won’t stand a chance against an unaccountable militia. Then it really will be war. No one wants that.

Let’s pray for peace, our president and racial harmony.

“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

 Ephesians 4:3 (NIV)