The Progressive Gamble

 

As I watch the growing chaos, I am beginning to conclude that progressives are making a big bet that the best way to lever President Trump out of the White House and seize power for themselves is to promote anarchy. They seem bent on achieving the two-way win: if they succeed — great; if they fail, they are simply creating evidence for their true believers that even more chaos is required.

I hope the NeverTrumpers now see what it is that they are aiding and abetting by making common cause with progressives in wishing that President Trump was not … well … President. No, I am not asking that NTs swear fealty to President Trump; I have not so sworn. But civil society requires that people abide by our public compact. And progressives have no desire to do so and are pleased to make law fit desires rather than make desires fit law.

I am not a conspiracy nut. I tend to think things happen based on opportunity. Progressives have been sowing discontent for decades because that gave them political power. Creating identities and division was the path. In the process they were able to cover their actions with Newspeak, making words mean the opposite of what they had always meant. So today “riot” means “protest” if it is for a progressive cause, and “protest” means “riot” if it is for any other cause.

From this toxic brew, discontents can flare, as they are doing now in Minneapolis and several other places, as they did in Ferguson, as they did in Detroit, as they did in LA. Bad things are going to happen, and when they do, it takes good faith and common decency to sort through it, assign responsibility, and make changes as required. But when an opportunity for progressive power is to be had, good faith and common decency become the enemy, not the pathway.

The danger here is not simply the property damaged, lives taken, or disrupted. It is the sense that problems can only be solved by central authority and not local resolutions. And that is the goal of this latest chaos: to promote violence that local and regional authorities cannot deal with, to promote a heavy federal hand. If the heavy federal hand does not come, progressives will claim that, just like with the pandemic, President Trump is not up to the job. If it does come, progressives will claim that their persistent labeling President Trump as an authoritarian was correct. Either way, according to progressives, President Trump must be removed. If this were just about President Trump, that would be all fine and good. But it isn’t.

I wish I knew what to do. I am glad it’s not my call. But “law and order” will come into fashion again, because the alternative is just not acceptable. The only question is who will be holding the reins. Pray it is not the progressives.

Published in General
This post was promoted to the Main Feed by a Ricochet Editor at the recommendation of Ricochet members. Like this post? Want to comment? Join Ricochet’s community of conservatives and be part of the conversation. Join Ricochet for Free.

There are 80 comments.

Become a member to join the conversation. Or sign in if you're already a member.
  1. Barfly Member
    Barfly
    @Barfly

    Rodin: I tend to think things happen based on opportunity. Progressives have been sewing discontent for decades because that gave them political power. Creating identities and division was the path.

    Rodin: From this toxic brew discontents can flare

    There’s certainly an emergent component to the progressing upheaval, but there’s conspiracy and hidden leadership behind it as well. The coordination is obvious to everyone this time, but it’s been evident enough before.  

    I think what happens is that society regularly produces a few charismatic intelligent individuals of the malicious variety. When conditions on the ground are suitable these people flourish.

    • #1
  2. Dr. Bastiat Member
    Dr. Bastiat
    @drbastiat

    Rodin: So today “riot” means “protest” if it is for a progressive cause, and “protest” means “riot” if it is for any other cause. 

    Very true.

    Rodin: But “law and order” will come into fashion again, because the alternative is just not acceptable. The only question is who will be holding the reins. Pray it is not the progressives.

    Brilliant point.

    You don’t like Trump?  Fine.  But just imagine the alternative.”  That makes the upcoming election a pretty simple decision, I would think.

    • #2
  3. DonG (skeptic) Coolidge
    DonG (skeptic)
    @DonG

    The last time we had rioting and space launches, we got Nixon crushing a super-progressive candidate. 

    • #3
  4. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    Rodin: But “law and order” will come into fashion again, because the alternative is just not acceptable. The only question is who will be holding the reins. Pray it is not the progressives.

    I am most pessimistic about the “American personality” of independence and rugged individualism.  There has been a concerted effort nationally in many ways to eradicate rule of law, American morality, truth, and any historical concept of justice.  Law and order may return but will it be in the form that is being lost and in which we would recognize it?  Or will it be in a new post-Christian socialist form?

    • #4
  5. EODmom Coolidge
    EODmom
    @EODmom

    We were talking about this earlier. What we speculated on was the likely responses in case of either the President being re-elected or Biden being elected. If the first – I think 2016 “Resistance” will look like a cartoon. If the latter, I think the Left will more really fast to button down their control and there will be other extreme volatility. Neither looks good to me. I hope if the President is re-elected he will skip the part where he tries to get along for form’s sake and goes directly to law and order as first designed. 

    • #5
  6. Fritz Coolidge
    Fritz
    @Fritz

    Taking one step back from the news, it seems to me that governors and other blue-state local officials, who were quick to shut us all up in our homes and enforce all kinds of edicts for the last two and half months, have now been revealed, helplessly word-salading their way thorough riots, looting, shootings, murder of one federal officer, to be totally feckless.

    They can sue and/or arrest and fine a 77-year old barber who has to work or go hungry, but they make no meaningful moves to put down violent unrest that is a free-for-all, not a protest. Because racism or something.

    Pathetic. I only hope these states’ voters will remember and respond the next time these idiots are up for election.

    • #6
  7. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    Fritz (View Comment):

    Taking one step back from the news, it seems to me that governors and other blue-state local officials, who were quick to shut us all up in our homes and enforce all kinds of edicts for the last two and half months, have now been revealed, helplessly word-salading their way thorough riots, looting, shootings, murder of one federal officer, to be totally feckless.

    They can sue and/or arrest and fine a 77-year old barber who has to work or go hungry, but they make no meaningful moves to put down violent unrest that is a free-for-all, not a protest. Because racism or something.

    Pathetic. I only hope these states’ voters will remember and respond the next time these idiots are up for election.

    Maybe The Squad can help.  Perhaps Minnesotans will lead the fight for Ayanna Pressley to be president, Rashida Tlaib VP, Ilhan Omar al Nur DNI, and AoC to be Atty General.

    • #7
  8. Headedwest Coolidge
    Headedwest
    @Headedwest

    Fritz (View Comment):

    Pathetic. I only hope these states’ voters will remember and respond the next time these idiots are up for election.

    I hope so, too.  And I hope there are no mass mail-in ballots for harvesting.

    • #8
  9. Ron Selander Member
    Ron Selander
    @RonSelander

    A dozen likes for this post. I am watching the City where I was born become a hellhole like Detroit. The Dems don’t seem to give a damn; the are rationalizing the wanton destruction and giving excuses for actions that are inexcusable! I am saddened beyond belief.

    • #9
  10. MichaelKennedy Inactive
    MichaelKennedy
    @MichaelKennedy

    EODmom (View Comment):

    We were talking about this earlier. What we speculated on was the likely responses in case of either the President being re-elected or Biden being elected. If the first – I think 2016 “Resistance” will look like a cartoon. If the latter, I think the Left will more really fast to button down their control and there will be other extreme volatility. Neither looks good to me. I hope if the President is re-elected he will skip the part where he tries to get along for form’s sake and goes directly to law and order as first designed.

    I also see a possible acquittal of this cop in Minnesota as new videos surface.  Then we will have another Rodney King riot scene. The authorities in Minneapolis seem pretty incompetent, from Ellison on down.  If they can get a black jury to convict him, they will almost certainly include reversible error.  The hysteria right now is only the beginning.

    • #10
  11. Clifford A. Brown Member
    Clifford A. Brown
    @CliffordBrown

    Barfly (View Comment):

    Rodin: I tend to think things happen based on opportunity. Progressives have been sewing discontent for decades because that gave them political power. Creating identities and division was the path.

    Rodin: From this toxic brew discontents can flare

    There’s certainly an emergent component to the progressing upheaval, but there’s conspiracy and hidden leadership behind it as well. The coordination is obvious to everyone this time, but it’s been evident enough before.

    I think what happens is that society regularly produces a few charismatic intelligent individuals of the malicious variety. When conditions on the ground are suitable these people flourish.

    AG Barr is no Jeff Sessions. He sees exactly what is going on and issued the clear warning this Saturday that crossing state lines to participate in or promote violence is a federal crime. Soros needs a 0400 visit from a FBI heavy team. The only media tip should be to OANN.

    Rodin:

    I hope the NeverTrumpers now see what it is that they are aiding and abetting by making common cause with progressives in wishing that President Trump was not … well … President. No, I am not asking that NTs swear fealty to President Trump; I have not so sworn. But civil society requires that people abide by our public compact. And progressives have no desire to do so and are pleased to make law fit desires rather than make desires fit law.

    Karen and Karen French seem to be all in with Antifa now, because Orange Man Bad.

    • #11
  12. Clifford A. Brown Member
    Clifford A. Brown
    @CliffordBrown

    DonG (skeptic) (View Comment):

    The last time we had rioting and space launches, we got Nixon crushing a super-progressive candidate.

    Yes, indeed. 

    • #12
  13. Clifford A. Brown Member
    Clifford A. Brown
    @CliffordBrown

    Fritz (View Comment):

    Taking one step back from the news, it seems to me that governors and other blue-state local officials, who were quick to shut us all up in our homes and enforce all kinds of edicts for the last two and half months, have now been revealed, helplessly word-salading their way thorough riots, looting, shootings, murder of one federal officer, to be totally feckless.

    They can sue and/or arrest and fine a 77-year old barber who has to work or go hungry, but they make no meaningful moves to put down violent unrest that is a free-for-all, not a protest. Because racism or something.

    Pathetic. I only hope these states’ voters will remember and respond the next time these idiots are up for election.

    Three Likes!

    • #13
  14. Headedwest Coolidge
    Headedwest
    @Headedwest

    MichaelKennedy (View Comment):

    I also see a possible acquittal of this cop in Minnesota as new videos surface.

    Do you have information about this possibility, or is it just wishful thinking?

    • #14
  15. Clifford A. Brown Member
    Clifford A. Brown
    @CliffordBrown

    Headedwest (View Comment):

    Fritz (View Comment):

    Pathetic. I only hope these states’ voters will remember and respond the next time these idiots are up for election.

    I hope so, too. And I hope there are no mass mail-in ballots for harvesting.

    Harvest harder. No sniveling allowed when we are forewarned. We care more about the elderly shut-ins and the poor, so we should naturally be helping them vote where that is the way the game is played. Lots of Democrats on the voter rolls came over in 2008 and have since said they were sick of the current crop of D’s, so naturally we should be finding oodles of inactive voters who we help get back in the voting habit this time. Fight to win.

    • #15
  16. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    Clifford A. Brown (View Comment):

    Headedwest (View Comment):

    Fritz (View Comment):

    Pathetic. I only hope these states’ voters will remember and respond the next time these idiots are up for election.

    I hope so, too. And I hope there are no mass mail-in ballots for harvesting.

    Harvest harder. No sniveling allowed when we are forewarned. We care more about the elderly shut-ins and the poor, so we should naturally be helping them vote where that is the way the game is played. Lots of Democrats on the voter rolls came over in 2008 and have since said they were sick of the current crop of D’s, so naturally we should be finding oodles of inactive voters who we help get back in the voting habit this time. Fight to win.

    But… that’s using fire to fight a fire.

    • #16
  17. lowtech redneck Coolidge
    lowtech redneck
    @lowtech redneck

    I hope Rodin’s optimism proves accurate, and we lose nothing by pointing all of this out, but if anybody was already unwilling to stop the Left up to this point, they won’t change their minds now.  They’ll probably just openly adopt the Progressive narrative (I heard that the Governor of Minnesota is already blaming Russia and ‘white nationalists’).

    Its Chinatown…..in more than one sense.

    • #17
  18. Manny Coolidge
    Manny
    @Manny

    I agree on the NeverTrumpers. They’re incorrigible. But lawlessness tends, I think, help Republicans in general. I think that’s what I remember. 

    • #18
  19. MichaelKennedy Inactive
    MichaelKennedy
    @MichaelKennedy

    Headedwest (View Comment):

    MichaelKennedy (View Comment):

    I also see a possible acquittal of this cop in Minnesota as new videos surface.

    Do you have information about this possibility, or is it just wishful thinking?

    Oh yes.  First is his criminal record.  Second is a video linked by Cheryl Atkinson taken  from the restaurant across the street.  It shows the cops treating him respectfully before the final scene. Plus of course the coroner report.  I’m not saying they can’t get a black jury in that district, the way Gil Garcetti did for OJ. I don’t think the  Barr DOJ will do what Clinton’s did but the USSC might not look the other way as incompetents like Ellison screw this up.

    This might be edited.  The one Atkinson linked is longer.

    https://news.yahoo.com/security-camera-shows-additional-footage-203000777.html

     

    • #19
  20. EODmom Coolidge
    EODmom
    @EODmom

    MichaelKennedy (View Comment):

    EODmom (View Comment):

    We were talking about this earlier. What we speculated on was the likely responses in case of either the President being re-elected or Biden being elected. If the first – I think 2016 “Resistance” will look like a cartoon. If the latter, I think the Left will more really fast to button down their control and there will be other extreme volatility. Neither looks good to me. I hope if the President is re-elected he will skip the part where he tries to get along for form’s sake and goes directly to law and order as first designed.

    I also see a possible acquittal of this cop in Minnesota as new videos surface. Then we will have another Rodney King riot scene. The authorities in Minneapolis seem pretty incompetent, from Ellison on down. If they can get a black jury to convict him, they will almost certainly include reversible error. The hysteria right now is only the beginning.

    I agree. I think Ellison is beyond incompetent- I think he’s a malevolent force which supports the anarchy. 

    • #20
  21. Sisyphus (hears Xi laughing) Member
    Sisyphus (hears Xi laughing)
    @Sisyphus

    Ron Selander (View Comment):

    A dozen likes for this post. I am watching the City where I was born become a hellhole like Detroit. The Dems don’t seem to give a damn; the are rationalizing the wanton destruction and giving excuses for actions that are inexcusable! I am saddened beyond belief.

    Dems are endorsing the looters and rioters publicly. Huge surprise. The poor in the victimized neighborhoods will suffer for it. Huge surprise. The police are not eager to be inserted into this festering boil, especially at the command of corrupt politicians endorsing the mayhem. Huge surprise. Blue mayors and blue governors who have endorsed the murder and looting and not jailed the four policemen who started this blame orange man bad. Huge surprise. Orange man emits stupid stuff unnecessarily, inflicting own goals. Huge surprise. 

    It took over twenty years for some streets in DC to clear and rebuild after 1968. A vote for Blue is a vote for more of the same. From sending infected elderly from hospitals to nursing homes to die and infect their neighbors to needlessly beggaring their healthy to tank the economy hoping to win a presidency through the death and hunger of and economic collapse, what have they done that qualifies them for office?

    We know who the rioters work for. They are very busily not burning down Blue city halls or governor’s residences. They are brutally attacking Secret Service protecting the White House. They seem to think John McCain or Mitt Romney is president. 

    Screw Blue, everyone back to work. If they want civil disobedience, let’s give it to them good and hard.

    • #21
  22. Headedwest Coolidge
    Headedwest
    @Headedwest

    Clifford A. Brown (View Comment):

    Headedwest (View Comment):

    Fritz (View Comment):

    Pathetic. I only hope these states’ voters will remember and respond the next time these idiots are up for election.

    I hope so, too. And I hope there are no mass mail-in ballots for harvesting.

    Harvest harder. No sniveling allowed when we are forewarned. We care more about the elderly shut-ins and the poor, so we should naturally be helping them vote where that is the way the game is played. Lots of Democrats on the voter rolls came over in 2008 and have since said they were sick of the current crop of D’s, so naturally we should be finding oodles of inactive voters who we help get back in the voting habit this time. Fight to win.

    The only way to win is to be more evil than they are.  Not a win to be proud of.

     

    • #22
  23. Headedwest Coolidge
    Headedwest
    @Headedwest

    MichaelKennedy (View Comment):

    Headedwest (View Comment):

    MichaelKennedy (View Comment):

    I also see a possible acquittal of this cop in Minnesota as new videos surface.

    Do you have information about this possibility, or is it just wishful thinking?

    Oh yes. First is his criminal record.

    Not going to accept that.

    • #23
  24. I Walton Member
    I Walton
    @IWalton

    Amazing, the left gets away with this stuff all the time.  One thug cop gives rise to hundreds of thugs doing what ever they want.  Thieves grabbing stuff, political opportunities letting them, burning innocent’s homes and businesses trashing whole sections of  cities.   And authorities let it all happen, at best because they’re cowards and don’t want to be seen supporting the thug cop, at worst because they see it as an opportunity to undercut some authority which may serve their interests.   It’s insane.  I’ve seen it often, very third world where the mobs’ and thieves’ street power far exceed that of authorities.  We don’t have that excuse.  It’s either cowardice or political opportunism as it’s easy to stop. 

    • #24
  25. James Gawron Inactive
    James Gawron
    @JamesGawron

    Rodin,

    I think your Darth Soros meme is exactly spot on. Keep up the good work and follow on with your excellent theme.

    Regards,

    Jim

    • #25
  26. Rodin Member
    Rodin
    @Rodin

    James Gawron (View Comment):

    Rodin,

    I think your Darth Soros meme is exactly spot on. Keep up the good work and follow on with your excellent theme.

    Regards,

    Jim

    Now that you have complemented it, I should credit the source where I found it: https://theconservativetreehouse.com/2020/05/29/the-anger-games-friday-night-riots-open-discussion-thread/.

    • #26
  27. Rodin Member
    Rodin
    @Rodin

    Hopefully, everyone will watch this video: https://www.citizenfreepress.com/breaking/intense-moment-in-seattle-damn-this-cop-reacted-fast/

    This cop is exactly the kind of law enforcement officer we need.

    • #27
  28. Unsk Member
    Unsk
    @Unsk

    I hope AG Barr follows up his big talk with some big prosecutions. Soros’s people are crossing state lines to foment violence. I believe there a Federal crime in there someplace and it should be prosecuted to the fullest.  When we see Antifa taken done, the Leftists may choose to crawl under those rocks they came from. 

    • #28
  29. Gary Robbins Member
    Gary Robbins
    @GaryRobbins

    You wrote:

    I hope the NeverTrumpers now see what it is that they are aiding and abetting by making common cause with progressives in wishing that President Trump was not … well … President. No, I am not asking that NTs swear fealty to President Trump; I have not so sworn. But civil society requires that people abide by our public compact. And progressives have no desire to do so and are pleased to make law fit desires rather than make desires fit law.

    I made no such public compact.  I have been NeverTrump since 2015, sometime between the birther kerfuffle and Trump’s preference for war heroes who had not been captured.  My instincts were confirmed virtually every day in the last almost five years since Trump entered the race.  It was increased when Trump spoke about Ted Cruz’s father helping Lee Harvey Oswald kill JFK, and then Charlottesville.  The final straw was that only one Republican was willing to vote to remove Trump, and only two Representatives and one Senator have seen fit to condemn Trump about Joe Scarborough.  

    • #29
  30. Gary Robbins Member
    Gary Robbins
    @GaryRobbins

    Dr. Bastiat (View Comment):

    Rodin: So today “riot” means “protest” if it is for a progressive cause, and “protest” means “riot” if it is for any other cause.

    Very true.

    Rodin: But “law and order” will come into fashion again, because the alternative is just not acceptable. The only question is who will be holding the reins. Pray it is not the progressives.

    Brilliant point.

    You don’t like Trump? Fine. But just imagine the alternative.” That makes the upcoming election a pretty simple decision, I would think.

    Humm.  The alternative.  Well, the other 16 Republicans who ran in 12016, Romney, McCain, W., Dole, H.W, Reagan, F9rd, Nixon (who had the decency to resign), Goldwater, Eisenhower, Dewey, Wilkie, Landon, Hoover, Coolidge are all a better alternative than Trump.  I am an American, a Conservative and a Republican in that order.

    • #30
Become a member to join the conversation. Or sign in if you're already a member.