Opinion articles provide independent perspectives on key community issues, separate from our newsroom reporting.

Letters to the Editor

Reactive violence by progressives only strengthens Trump

An SUV, with a bullet hole in the windshield and a flat tire, sits in the parking lot at the scene of a multiple shooting in Alexandria, Va., June 14, 2017, involving House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of La., and others, during a congressional baseball practice.
An SUV, with a bullet hole in the windshield and a flat tire, sits in the parking lot at the scene of a multiple shooting in Alexandria, Va., June 14, 2017, involving House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of La., and others, during a congressional baseball practice. Cliff Owen AP file

The recent congressional shooting is just another example of the disease of extremism infecting our country. It is not extremism of the left alone, as fake news experts Rep. Devin Nunes and Trump would have you believe. It is extremism alone, the idea that violence will solve all our problems. That, of course, is the premise of our so-called war on terrorism, which only serves to create more terrorists.

You can be sure Trump supporters will use the shootings as an excuse to spend more money on internal security (surveillance). And Congressman Nunes will use them as an excuse to not hold town hall meetings – a support to his fake news claim of the existence of violent left elements in his district.

Progressives need to ensure that the right does not have any excuse for reaction – we need to be careful of any provocateurs. Progressives also need to continue to protest, of course. But reactive violence only strengthens Trump. Giving him all the ammunition he needs to restrict our rights even further.

Stephen Pendleton, Visalia

This story was originally published June 27, 2017 at 4:00 PM with the headline "Reactive violence by progressives only strengthens Trump."

Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER