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The United States was borne out of political violence, slaves were liberated due to political violence & the author of the Decleration of Independence argued explicitly that the revolution entailed that "the tree of liberty [be] watered with the blood of patriots & tyrants."
Given the history, it seems odd that political violence is being condemned as always wrong - even where that violence serves the cause of justice or liberty.
Violence directed towards moral good can be justified & can sometimes be obligatory.
Violence directed towards moral good can be justified & can sometimes be obligatory.
That's certainly how Jefferson felt. For him, the revolution wasn't a moment of struggle that ended after the war, it was a constant struggle to live up to the ideals set out in the Declaration of Independence that "all men are created equal."
The moral equivalence being drawn between the 'Black Lives Matter' protesters and the terrorists who attacked the capital reminds me of the distinction Machiavelli makes between the actions of Cesare Borgia & Agoathocles in 'The Prince.'
Whilst the former used nefarious means to create a Republic, the latter did the opposite, destroying a Republic to serve his own ends.
Trump must be condemned for the same reason. Not because political violence is always wrong but because it was directed towards undermining or destroying the norms, values & institutions that support the Republic.
