1/ Political violence and language: why it matters.

2/ The most important thing right now is that political violence be met with immediate response - impeachment/replacement and prison time for looters and rioters. But as this crisis passes - and it will - we need to talk about bigger problems and we need the right language.

3/ Why does language matter? Because a bad label of a problem can lead you to a bad solutions. Bad labels can encourage a misleading understanding of the world.

4/ When people evoke the word "coup," it is powerful because coups are horrible. A "coup" often results in the murder of dissidents, activists, and opposition party members.

5/ The word "coup" also suggests that other institutions in society meant to restrain violence and corruption have failed. It means that a council of generals has taken over the radio station announced the need to take a break from elections and freedom of speech.

6/ But you can still believe that American democracy is alive and well and also believe that we still have a incredibly terrible problem on our hands. The US Army is NOT about to ship me off to a soccer stadium, but there is a cabal of violent criminals on the loose.

7/ And you can also believe that one of the major parties has simply abandoned its responsibility to restrain this violent cabal and that is a profoundly bad problem.

8/ If you buy this view, it means that we won't panic and have a melt down. Instead, we have two related problems: punishing rioters and looters, and the long term problem of profound illiberalism within the GOP, where polls showed high support for the #ElectoralCollegeRiot.

9/ If you think that all of America has failed, you might fall into despair and lose focus. You'll see everyone as an enemy. Instead, it's about pushing hard on criminal prosecution while pushing for a change in our culture.

10/ Bottom line: Language indicates how you see the world and what goals and strategy makes sense. Chose the right one so you can pick the right fight.