{"id":2655,"date":"2017-01-21T14:48:08","date_gmt":"2017-01-21T19:48:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dansdigitaldive.com\/web\/?p=2655"},"modified":"2017-01-21T14:48:08","modified_gmt":"2017-01-21T19:48:08","slug":"forty-four-peaceful-turnovers-of-power","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dansdigitaldive.com\/web\/archives\/2655","title":{"rendered":"Forty-Four Peaceful(?) Turnovers of Power"},"content":{"rendered":"

A peaceful turnover of power. \u00a0That’s one of the unique things that makes this country so great.\u00a0Yes; yesterday, the 20th of January 2017 was peaceful. Yes, there were protests; but we shouldn’t let that hold back this great land. \u00a0The recent violence after the election of Donald Trump doesn’t worry me, there has been violence throughout our election history<\/a>. \u00a0In 2008, President Obama won the election. \u00a0People on the far right thought it was the end of the world. \u00a0There was booing\u00a0during Obama’s inauguration<\/a> when then President Bush was announced. Intimidation, threats, and even crimes<\/a>\u00a0took place in some cities. \u00a0There were purported cases of voter intimidation<\/a>\u00a0during the election. \u00a0But you\u00a0know what?<\/p>\n

The country survived.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Would you like a point to ponder? \u00a0Check out these election day brouhahas<\/a>\u00a0from around the globe.<\/p>\n

There is rule I call the “Asshole Factor.” \u00a0In this rule, 10% of [fill in any demographic or descriptor]<\/em><\/span>\u00a0 are assholes; and I write them off. \u00a0The people who destroy others’ property fall into this rule. \u00a0Every citizen has the right to protest – peacefully. \u00a0When you are no longer peaceful, you forfeit your right, as your right to protest (free speech) doesn’t trump another’s right of security and safety, and that extends to their property.<\/p>\n

A favorite passage\u00a0that I have read comes from Ronald Reagan’s 1981 inaugural address:<\/p>\n

“The crisis we are facing today does not require of us the kind of sacrifice that Martin Treptow [, killed during W.W.I,] and so many thousands of others were called upon to make. It does require, however, our best effort and our willingness to believe in ourselves and to believe in our capacity to perform great deeds, to believe that together with God’s help we can and will resolve the problems which now confront us.<\/p>\n

And after all, why shouldn’t we believe that? We are Americans<\/em>.”<\/p>\n

An interesting perspective about politics and violence is written by Kellie Jackson (2011). \u00a0She writes about the challenges of teaching about the power of politics and resistance<\/a>.<\/p>\n

I would like to repeat, and expand upon what I wrote above:\u00a0Every citizen has the right to protest – peacefully. \u00a0When you are no longer peaceful, you forfeit your right. \u00a0Your right to protest (free speech) doesn’t trump another’s right of security and safety. \u00a0I have heard people say the protesters only destroy businesses. \u00a0This may be true; but those businesses are owned by citizens. \u00a0Those citizens have to pay out of their livelihood to fix the protesters damages. \u00a0They have insurance; once again, this may, or may not, be true. \u00a0Even if it is, this type of behavior causes rates to go up. \u00a0If the cost of doing business goes up, that cost gets passed along to their customers. \u00a0So, in short; if you feel the need to destroy a car; destroy your own car. \u00a0If you feel the need to break a window, break your own window. \u00a0If you feel the need… you get my drift.<\/p>\n

Our<\/strong><\/em> country WILL<\/em> survive.<\/p>\n

As Americans, we have the right to pursue our life, liberty and happiness as we see fit. \u00a0As we see fit, provided we do not infringe upon another’s right to the same. \u00a0And that my friends is the crux. \u00a0Too many people want it only their way. \u00a0In this great melting pot we call America – there are many versions of the American Dream. \u00a0And all of us should be allowed to pursue our dreams, provided we do not infringe upon another’s version of the dream.<\/p>\n

That’s right, we are, all of us, Americans<\/strong><\/em>. \u00a0We have the capacity to do great things. \u00a0We can, should, and will, resolve our problems. \u00a0It may not be easy, it never is easy to have those tough conversations and be the first. \u00a0But they need to happen in order for true change to occur, and our nation is up to the task.<\/p>\n

Our Asshole of the month for January, 2017: protesters who destroy the property of others.<\/p>\n

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Want some good reading? \u00a0Check out these inaugural addresses:<\/p>\n