SAN DIEGO: Portland erupted into chaos after a recent confrontation between the left militant group, “Antifa”, and far-right Patriot Prayer. During a Patriot Prayer rally a massive brawl ensued. It was yet another violent clash between protester and counter-protester. In an almost pre-determined dance, Antifa set an American flag on fire prompting one Patriot Prayer member to rescue the flag in the latest series of America’s street wars. This scene is repeated from protest to protest.
Dueling street clashes take America down a path of violence.
Antifa
The principal feature of Antifa (anti-fascist) groups is described by their use of direct action, harassing those whom they identify as fascists, racists or right-wing extremists. They lean militant left including anarchists, communists, and socialists. Antifa embodies a network of groups and individuals that are autonomous with no formal organization or membership. Though many point to Hungarian billionaire George Soros as a significant funder of the group (The Origins of Antifa).
Antifa’s actions result in vandalism, destruction of cars and property, smashed windows, bullying the innocent and hand-to-hand fighting. They show their contempt by cheering as they burn the American flag.
Patriot Prayer
Portland’s Patriot Prayer is described as a far-right group, not to be confused with “alt-right”. Patriot Prayer advocates free speech while opposing big government. They do organize pro-Trump rallies. According to Joey Gibson, Patriot Prayer’s founder, his group is neither white nationalist nor white supremacist. Nonetheless, their protests sometimes attract “alt-right” groups.
Gibson says Patriot Prayer supports “freedom, love, and peace.”
Antifa and Patriot Prayer reflect the divide among millions of Americans.
Patriots are fed up with anti-Americanism and anarchy and those wanting to deconstruct our free republic. Vigilante violence rages on to eliminate opposing views.
“No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare,” wrote James Madison.
We all are embroiled in this dangerous war of ideological rhetoric and terror tactics that threaten America from coast to coast. Burning a flag patriots have died to defend, warns of a rampant moral sickness spreading fast.
“Antifa claims freedom to burn a flag. And an unknown protester fires back – “Treason, not freedom. That flag gave you the clothes on your back.”
The flag is many things to different people. The flag represents the sacrifices and contributions of our military, who carry it to where evil threatens. Antifa flag burners have most likely never been face to face with hateful insurgents, eager to kill with rockets, mortars, rifles, and bombs. They have not walked through a graveyard of slain servicemen to look up and see an American flag waving on top of a hill.
Have Antifa members sacrificed for, or only taken from that flag? But, quite possibly, their fathers and grandfathers gave much…or all.
Photograph of Flag Raising on Iwo Jima, 02/23/1945 (NWDNS-80-G-413988; National Archives Identifier: 520748); General Photographic File of the Department of Navy, 1943 – 1958; General Records of the Department of the Navy, 1804 – 1958; Record Group 80; National Archives.
An American flag draped on a silver coffin, carrying a fallen soldier, is sacred. Have Antifa members ever watched an Honor Guard hand that flag to a grieving wife or family member, recognizing the loss of that wife, mother, husband or father? The child who will grow up without their father or mother to guide them.
Our flag means freedom from foreign tyranny. Yet anti-American militants spark domestic tyranny against the innocent.
Our flag is a reminder of that fight against tyranny and the cost of it all in lives.
Our stars and stripes speak silently of courage, nobility, duty, love…
… of the patriot who was struck in the chest by an RPG trying to save a wounded brother trapped in a blasted, burning vehicle. It embodies the American pilot who was shot through the skull while protecting ground troops, crashing his helicopter, and losing an eye.
Our flag’s the heartbreak for the young Marine who lost both legs below the knee, asking a flight medic when he can get back to his unit. Since the flag’s creation in 1777, there are thousands of stories of valor. Today, every service member wears it on their sleeve.
The torch “Antifa” takes to our flag is desecration at its worst. Do we, who reap from our flag’s promise of liberty, take a knee or stand up? Or watch the disgrace?
ANTIFA Arrested On Arson Charges After Burning American Flag Outside L.A. Federal Building, Screen Shot Mark F https://youtu.be/yazWp58W5zc
A flag in flames, shout-outs, incivility will not endear anyone to your cause.
We are not slaves to one point of view in the United States of America. Yet the streets erupt with tyrannical duress. Many Democrats and Hollywood activists champion incivility and overlook violence in order to put down Republicans and conservatives. Recently Hillary Clinton took the gloves off:
“You cannot be civil with a political party that wants to destroy what you stand for, what you care about,” she said. “That’s why I believe if we are fortunate enough to win back the House and or the Senate, that’s when civility can start again. But until then the only thing the Republicans seem to recognize and respect is strength,”
What is Clinton’s ‘strength’ – big stick rule of the masses, extremist left street gangs clubbing their message, mobs assaulting Republicans? How far will Democrats like Clinton go? If they win the majority in Congress then we backslide to big government and socialist restructure. Bingo – a free republic is not so free anymore.
For Democrats and liberal activist supporters – all it takes is a different opinion to recruit incivility.
Hollywood popularity offers a distribution advantage for rebellious activist rhetoric.
Fox News reported actor Alec Baldwin recently spoke at a fundraiser in New Hampshire, indicating to candidates, officials and activists, that merely winning Congressional seats won’t cut it.
“In an orderly and formal way, and lawful way, we need to overthrow the government of the United States under Donald Trump,” stated Fox News. Baldwin twice reiterates, “It is time to overthrow the government of Donald Trump — not in a violent way or unlawful way — but it must be overthrown nonetheless.”
Overthrow indicates a need for more force than the election process, which is orderly, formal, and lawful. The left can’t get over losing in 2016 – they think force sells the American people what they don’t want.
Society must make government officials promoting civil strife or Hollywood activists calling for a show of force accountable. Inflammatory rhetoric such as this is a dangerous influence on today’s millennials already on edge, eager to physically fight for a cause, whether just or unjust.
Take note militants, liberals, promoting civil unrest, from Desmond Tutu.
A powerful message from Tutu’s address at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Houghton, Johannesburg, South Africa, 23 November 2004,
“Don’t raise your voice, improve your argument.” Desmond Tutu
What is the argument of Portland’s Rose City Antifa? A quote from their Facebook reads,
“We believe that a broad coalition response is necessary to combat this particular extreme right alliance.” Rose City Antifa identifies white nationalists, crypto fascists, and far-right parties in the extreme right alliance.
“We are committed to the idea that people in our community should be able to participate in resisting this bigotry in whatever capacity they find appropriate…We are unapologetic about the reality that fighting fascism at points requires physical militancy.”
Patriot’s Prayer’s argument stated on their Facebook,
“Patriot prayer is about using the power of love and prayer to fight the corruption both in the government and citizen levels that seek to gain power through division and deception.”
We can see their arguments as self-described. But look at the contrasting methods of persuasion. Every American needs to reach down inside and find common ground with one another. We must build on shared aims and interests, not destroy over individual ideologies.
Violent force or threats – a sure path to resistance and failure of a cause.
Collaboration, cooperation, and constructive action are tenants of a free republic. The majority of voters proved in the 2016 election – we support these tenants – which many saw slipping away. The past administration’s attempt to divide a free republic and turn it into a socialist state did a lot of damage. The fallout we still see today. Cells of agitators are overrunning citizen rights.
Certainly, people on both sides are rising up and civility is elusive. Consequently, peace is a hard-to-find gemstone when buried in unhinged political passion.
“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
“‘Hope and change’ has become a cliché in our nation and it is daunting to think that any American could hope for change from what God has blessed.” The late Billy Graham.
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