I'm just now coming around to this.

[bigtree]

47. no question that EXTREMIST violence has shifted far to the right over the last 40 years

...and that a huge percentage of extremist violence has come from the right in the past few decades.

That's generalizing, but pretty close. That's what makes all of the recent incitement from the right from the president on down so consequential, especially since Trump's supporters have already proven to be e threat to actual democracy and cop lives.

What got me here has to do with ny own conviction that Trump had sparked a wave of rw violence that has made up practically all of the shootings, killings, and threats in recent months... almost.

I started a couple days ago with the report about the man who had threatened gay people over the Kirk killing, saying he wanted to kill them in disgusting detail. All on Trump, all on republicans and their trans-terror bullshit.

However, what I also found was that folks who aren't identifying as maga or rw are also, predictably getting animated by all of the hate and entreaties to divide. I saw an escalation in folks who are evidently suffering some kind of mental trauma or disability who are being sparked by all of the things most of us only jawbone about.

I hesitate to post them. Maybe I should, but I'm not there yet. I see more value in what Kelly is saying here. There may come a point where, like me, one recognizes in their own actions and attitudes that some of the things we expect from our political opponents need even more vigilence from those of us who care about such things as comity or non-violence.

Seeing that need out there, the one clear thing that I know I can do is adjust my own behavior, and I think that's a good exercise for everyone, from time to time, to check our own attiitudes and behavior and to make certain that there's not something we can do to help make things better.

So, not withstanding that Trump, maga, republicans, and the rw are some real assholes, it's clear to me that they're now bringing out some of the worst in people that I care about. I have two adult sons living with me, and I noticed long ago that even as my own principles and values are sound, more care is needed to provide a clear and strong example of what is right, and healthy for them.

As you can imagine, tempers run high with young folk who may not be accustomed to coming down from their anger in ways that don't hurt themselves or others. There isn't really room in that effort to indulge in open recrimination that stirs them or anyone else to emotions they may not be able to handle.

I have that ability, and the responsibility to keep them on the right track and to try and keep them from letting their anger come out in unproductive or threatening ways that could very well escalate into violence.

From my own experiences with antagonists in my life, I know there's really no bottom to hatred, and that good behavior must start with each of us, well before we expect others to comport with what we consider right or good.

In short, we can't expect idiots and assholes and the mentally unstable to take responsibility for their own actions, but I believe we can, and should.

Hope that helps.