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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Opinion - Trump versus the protesters is a false choice
It's happening again. Violence in the streets. Protesters clashing with police. A president threatening to send in the troops. And once again, America is being told to pick a side: Are you with 'law and order' or 'the resistance'? Tear gas or hashtags? Trump or chaos? It's a false choice — but it's one we keep falling for. That isn't to say you shouldn't pick sides in the larger culture war — or that we should fall prey to 'both-sides-ism.' But when it comes specifically to what is happening right now in Los Angeles, we don't have to choose between anarchy and authoritarianism. A free society needs both liberty and order — rights, yes, but rights with responsibilities. Freedom with guardrails. That's the spirit behind Edmund Burke's idea of 'ordered liberty.' It's a concept that demands balance. And yet here we are, again, in a moment that insists we pick one side or the other, no middle ground allowed. Today's politics operates in binaries: for or against, red or blue, patriots or traitors. Refusing to play this game, increasingly, is treated as moral weakness — as a cop-out. But that's the brilliance of Burke's formulation: It resists simplicity and mocks tribal reflexes. Yes, the government must protect us from violent mobs. But just as surely, we must be protected from an overbearing government that incites them. Either extreme — lawless streets or lawless state power — can strip away liberty and leave the Constitution bleeding out in public view. So what does that have to do with Los Angeles? You can support the right to protest and still expect demonstrators not to torch cars, hurl bricks or wave foreign flags. You can believe in secure borders and still think deploying active-duty Marines to peacetime L.A. is an absurd overreach. Here's the uncomfortable truth for my liberal friends: A nation has the right to enforce immigration laws. But for my conservative friends: How it does so — the tone, tools and legal safeguards — matters just as much. Leadership in moments like this means calming tensions and restoring order without cruelty. But that's not Trump's instinct. He's going out of his way to stoke anxiety and escalate conflict with his displays of dominance. And speaking of displays: The Los Angeles protests are unfolding as Trump prepares for a military parade in D.C. on his birthday. (He says it's to honor the Army. Sure. And people go to Hooters just for the wings.) This isn't policy — it's pageantry. Xi Jinping rolls tanks, Putin shows off missiles. Trump gets a teleprompter, a stage and the Pentagon as his party planner. If it ended there, fine. But let's be honest: You don't have to be paranoid to wonder whether the situation in Los Angeles is softening the public for something worse — a normalization of military crackdowns on domestic dissent. Would Trump declare martial law and refuse to leave office? Maybe not. But would he relish a loyal military prepared to suppress his critics? That's not exactly a stretch. He's already floated ideas far outside the constitutional lines — and found a base willing to cheer him on. And here's the kicker: He recently pardoned the Jan. 6 rioters — the ones who smeared feces in the Capitol and beat police officers with flagpoles — and now wants to send troops into L.A. The irony writes itself. If Trump has achieved anything, it's this: He's turned much of America into tribal hypocrites. The same act is judged as treason or patriotism depending on who's doing it. But while that's true of partisans, it's not true of most people. The average American watching the footage — the fires, the shouting, the Mexican flags — may understandably lean toward order. Trump, as always, is savvy about choosing unsympathetic foils. Of course it would be wrong and stupid to side with a violent mob. But those of us who deeply value liberty should also be able to imagine a time when we could be cast as the 'mob' — when patriotic dissent is recast as sedition, and protest becomes a pretext for crackdowns. That's why the principle of ordered liberty matters. The far left often champions liberty without order. The Trumpian right demands order without liberty — and only for their enemies. So where does that leave the rest of us? If you're watching what's happening in Los Angeles with some ambivalence, that's a good sign. It means you're still thinking. Because to fully side with either the rioters or the National Guard phalanx is to give in to ideological cosplay: simplistic, self-satisfying and fundamentally dishonest. So congratulations — if you've read this far, you haven't surrendered to the cheap thrill of tribal certainty. You're resisting the pull of performance politics in favor of something harder and more important: thinking for yourself. And in times like these, that may be the most radical form of protest there is. Matt K. Lewis is a columnist, podcaster and author of the books 'Too Dumb to Fail' and 'Filthy Rich Politicians.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Trump versus the protesters is a false choice
It's happening again. Violence in the streets. Protesters clashing with police. A president threatening to send in the troops. And once again, America is being told to pick a side: Are you with 'law and order' or 'the resistance'? Tear gas or hashtags? Trump or chaos? It's a false choice — but it's one we keep falling for. That isn't to say you shouldn't pick sides in the larger culture war — or that we should fall prey to 'both-sides-ism.' But when it comes specifically to what is happening right now in Los Angeles, we don't have to choose between anarchy and authoritarianism. A free society needs both liberty and order — rights, yes, but rights with responsibilities. Freedom with guardrails. That's the spirit behind Edmund Burke's idea of 'ordered liberty.' It's a concept that demands balance. And yet here we are, again, in a moment that insists we pick one side or the other, no middle ground allowed. Today's politics operates in binaries: for or against, red or blue, patriots or traitors. Refusing to play this game, increasingly, is treated as moral weakness — as a cop-out. But that's the brilliance of Burke's formulation: It resists simplicity and mocks tribal reflexes. Yes, the government must protect us from violent mobs. But just as surely, we must be protected from an overbearing government that incites them. Either extreme — lawless streets or lawless state power — can strip away liberty and leave the Constitution bleeding out in public view. So what does that have to do with Los Angeles? You can support the right to protest and still expect demonstrators not to torch cars, hurl bricks or wave foreign flags. You can believe in secure borders and still think deploying active-duty Marines to peacetime L.A. is an absurd overreach. Here's the uncomfortable truth for my liberal friends: A nation has the right to enforce immigration laws. But for my conservative friends: How it does so — the tone, tools and legal safeguards — matters just as much. Leadership in moments like this means calming tensions and restoring order without cruelty. But that's not Trump's instinct. He's going out of his way to stoke anxiety and escalate conflict with his displays of dominance. And speaking of displays: The Los Angeles protests are unfolding as Trump prepares for a military parade in D.C. on his birthday. (He says it's to honor the Army. Sure. And people go to Hooters just for the wings.) This isn't policy — it's pageantry. Xi Jinping rolls tanks, Putin shows off missiles. Trump gets a teleprompter, a stage and the Pentagon as his party planner. If it ended there, fine. But let's be honest: You don't have to be paranoid to wonder whether the situation in Los Angeles is softening the public for something worse — a normalization of military crackdowns on domestic dissent. Would Trump declare martial law and refuse to leave office? Maybe not. But would he relish a loyal military prepared to suppress his critics? That's not exactly a stretch. He's already floated ideas far outside the constitutional lines — and found a base willing to cheer him on. And here's the kicker: He recently pardoned the Jan. 6 rioters — the ones who smeared feces in the Capitol and beat police officers with flagpoles — and now wants to send troops into L.A. The irony writes itself. If Trump has achieved anything, it's this: He's turned much of America into tribal hypocrites. The same act is judged as treason or patriotism depending on who's doing it. But while that's true of partisans, it's not true of most people. The average American watching the footage — the fires, the shouting, the Mexican flags — may understandably lean toward order. Trump, as always, is savvy about choosing unsympathetic foils. Of course it would be wrong and stupid to side with a violent mob. But those of us who deeply value liberty should also be able to imagine a time when we could be cast as the 'mob' — when patriotic dissent is recast as sedition, and protest becomes a pretext for crackdowns. That's why the principle of ordered liberty matters. The far left often champions liberty without order. The Trumpian right demands order without liberty — and only for their enemies. So where does that leave the rest of us? If you're watching what's happening in Los Angeles with some ambivalence, that's a good sign. It means you're still thinking. Because to fully side with either the rioters or the National Guard phalanx is to give in to ideological cosplay: simplistic, self-satisfying and fundamentally dishonest. So congratulations — if you've read this far, you haven't surrendered to the cheap thrill of tribal certainty. You're resisting the pull of performance politics in favor of something harder and more important: thinking for yourself. And in times like these, that may be the most radical form of protest there is. Matt K. Lewis is a columnist, podcaster and author of the books 'Too Dumb to Fail' and 'Filthy Rich Politicians.'
Time of India
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'Dil jan se saath denge': Border villagers in Rajasthan pledge support to Indian Army, demand tough action after Pahalgam attack
'Pakistan has murdered humanity' Live Events Government takes stern measures post-Pahalgam attack Civil defence drills ordered Nationwide In Barmer, Rajasthan, not far from the tense India-Pakistan border, fear has given way to defiance. Following the terror attack in Pahalgam on 22 April, which killed 25 Indian nationals and one Nepalese tourist, villagers in this remote desert district are rallying behind the Indian Army . Their message is clear—if a war comes, they are Hasan, a resident, told ANI, "I have heard about the wars that were held between India and Pakistan. We have not witnessed it. We are all ready to help the country and the Indian army in every possible way in case of war, if needed. Whatever decision is taken by the government, we are standing with them. We are not all scared and standing fearlessly. We will all sacrifice our lives for the country. Dil jan se saath denge. We are all ready for everything."Many echoed that determination. Md Roshan added, "We are all standing firm with the government. The government should teach Pakistan a lesson. Strict action should be taken against Pakistan. If today the war takes place we are with the Army."Their sentiment is not just emotional. It reflects a growing frustration with the repeated terror attacks and the belief that India must now respond more Mohammad didn't mince words. In his view, the recent violence crossed all lines. "We believe that whatever the government decides is right. We are with the government. Strict action would be taken against the terrorist. Pakistan has murdered humanity, and it is necessary to teach Pakistan a lesson," he Roshan warned of more attacks if firm steps are not taken. "Strict action should be taken against the terrorist. We are standing with Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji. The suspension of the Indus Water Treaty is good and the water should remain in the country. Apne log sukhi rehne chahiye," he words reflect a common concern in the region—if leniency continues, the consequences may be worse. And the call for water security struck a chord with locals facing frequent irrigation response to the Pahalgam attack has been swift and wide-ranging. The government placed the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance. This treaty, which governs the distribution of water between India and Pakistan, had remained intact even during past wars. It grants Pakistan access to 80% of the water from the Indus system, while India receives the remaining 20%.However, India's new position is conditional. It will not resume the treaty unless Pakistan permanently ceases its support for cross-border terrorism and shuts down the integrated Attari Check government has also taken economic measures. A notification from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry confirmed a total ban on the import, export, and transit of goods to and from Pakistan. This includes direct and indirect trade, cutting off a key commercial channel between the two part of preparations for any possible escalation, the Union Home Ministry has instructed states to carry out mock drills on 7 May. These drills are designed to train civilians—especially students—in basic civil defence measures include activating air raid warning sirens and familiarising the public with emergency procedures during potential attacks. The move aims to strengthen local preparedness and reinforce national Barmer, villagers are not merely calling for action—they want to be part of it. They say their loyalty lies with the country, and they trust the decisions of the Indian government and armed voices, rooted in lived experiences and a harsh geography, signal a broader sentiment rising across India—enough is enough. The Pahalgam attack has not only claimed lives but stirred a determination in people far from the site of tensions rise, the resolve of these villagers may not shift the balance of power—but it tells us where the heart of the nation beats.(With inputs from ANI)
