Sunday 13 November 2016

Rioting, really?

What does rioting say about a civilised, democratic nation?

Disturbing the peace is usually associated with anti-democratic and anti-social behaviour. And yet, with the result of the US election, there have now been four consecutive nights of protesting - including rioting - in some places.

The irony is that it seems these people feel it is their duty to uphold democracy and the level of progress they see their country having made.

But let's think: democracy is about letting the people have their say. With the current voting system, Trump won the election. And people are upset with that. Put simply, people seem upset with democracy... because it means some people don't get what they want.

Let's also think: how does a civilised person respond to not getting what they want? Well, a child will respond by getting upset and throwing a tantrum: a one-child stand because they want their chocolate bar or a certain toy. If the mark of civilisation is for people to respond to a democratic vote by marching through the streets and (in some places) inciting a riot, then I guess I've misunderstood.

Another irony is that it is precisely these people who talk of 'tolerance', and they will expect everyone to be tolerant of their views... but it is these people who are showing a massive act of intolerance by resisting a democratic outcome and exhibiting riotous behaviour.

I'm not sure about rioting, but there was certainly resistance to the result of the EU referendum too, even calling for a re-vote!

It's a nice display of hypocrisy from those who stand for 'progress'.

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