Please tell me how the phrase "Take back America" and all its variants does not imply violence

[Stinky The Clown]

The cover for using that phrase is always that the speaker means at the the ballot box.

Can we all agree that's merely cover? Can we admit, to ourselves at least, that such phrases, once benign, now, in today's climate, means violence?

I think what's saving us from violence now is cowardice on the part of most of the "patriots" and cowardice on the part of most of the defenders.

Whatever reasons there are for the continuing lack of violence right now can easily change.

The desire, the intent, the threat, is there.

[HopeHoops]

1. All they need is a map with gun sights on it or someone to say "lock and load".

D'OH!

[GKirk]

2. I suspect that

some on our side have used that phrase too.

[Stinky The Clown]

4. I don't suspect that. I *know* that.

[Loge23]

3. Pressure needs release eventually

...and that works both ways.
How much longer can we go on with crooked - even criminal - politicians acting as leaders?
State governments being run as "businesses" (read: corporations, where 90% goes to a few, and the rest is left for everyone else)?
The media, obsessed with celebrities, with a doddering, deceitful fool (McCain) as resident military expert?
The continuing, blatant erosion of rights? Strong attacks on reproductive rights, invasion of privacy, a general de-evolution of human dignity and respect?
Racist, homophobic creeps being set up as legitimate potential "leaders"?
Attacks on education and the arts? Education!!! In a country that's rapidly adapting to a third-world status!!
Yes, the intent and desire is clearly there on the wacked-out right.
But let's not forget that force has it's opposition.

[Stinky The Clown]

6. Ironically, my OP singled out no political side.

[Loge23]

8. Not that I'm advocating it!

It's just seems to be getting more and more edgy.
Certainly, the economic issue will ultimately decide how this all plays out.

[karynnj]

5. Uhhhmmmm - Do you remember Take Back America in at least 2005, 2006 and 2007?

I went to Take Back America 2007 - I admit it. I also posted John Kerry's excellent Take Back America 2006 speech whenever remotely relevant - and occasionally posted Hillary Clinton's far less well received one the same year.

There are many things that I have a problem with - especially potential candidates (Huckabee most recently) that suggest the President is not legitimate due to being born in Kenya.

[mmonk]

7. It's not inherently violent.

But having a bunch of ignorant people with guns that believe in violence can make it so or at least a call for intimidation. It amazes me how little is changing in this country and what bothers me about it is a sickness being solidified. My dream is still to get my sons out. It will remain so until I can notice a real change in direction.

[Stinky The Clown]

10. The qualifier to the absolute, in the OP, was "In today's climate."

True enough, unqualified it doesn't necessarily imply violence.

[WatsonT]

9. Look at these monsters:

http://www.takeamericaback.org/

Chills you to the core.

/as others have pointed out the phrase "take back America" has been in use by various organizations and political groups for many years. Can't pick and chose when it is acceptable and when it isn't. If the GOP were to take "hope and change" would that imply violence on their part?

[Stinky The Clown]

11. Hope and change has been shown to be quite draconian, too.

[Stinky The Clown]

12. The OP had the phrase "in this day and time"

[WatsonT]

14. Ah so in a time when

every politician and pundit is the perfect gentleman and there are no heated debates/protests it will be acceptable?

Ok.


Look, you're free to hold your opinion, as I am to hold my own. I hear "take America back" and simply think the person saying it is unhappy with the way the nation is heading and would prefer to move it in his/her own preferred direction.

That probably describes about 90% of the population.

[Myrina]

13. Please tell me who they're "taking back America" from?

It sure as hell ain't us average liberal folk ...

[mmonk]

15. And that's the point and why it can be dangerous.

[Yo_Mama]

16. I don't think so

Realistically, politicians are out there asking for votes.

And if we want to "take back America", it's going to require voting for politicians who will implement policies in the public interest, not this weird sort of proto-banana Republic thing we've got going.

You hear, read and see politicians using such phraseology all the time, and they are asking for votes. And you hear, see and read unions and political associations using similar slogans all the time, and they are asking for votes.

I don't really think most politicians are that afraid of violence. After all, if a lot of violence erupted they'd be first in line for protection. I think most of them are deathly afraid of voters voting them out!!!