I’m Not Scared

Apparently, those of us who sneer at the professional agitators and usual suspects currently protesting about a president in a foreign country are scared and – wait for it – being undemocratic. Yes, really.

…an intriguing narrative is quickly taking hold in Britain that to protest against Trump is stupid, self-defeating, hypocritical, evidence of the younger generation’s oversensitive nature (never mind that people of all ages took part in the Downing Street protest and the Women’s March). The Daily Telegraph has run two pieces this week protesting against protest, and the Times published an especially sneer-heavy article claiming that the protesters are “wasting their breath”. A full-page editorial in the Daily Mail on Wednesday dismissed anyone who protests against President Trump as “liberal elites and their sheep-like followers”.

Perhaps because the hysterical protesters are not speaking for the silent majority – do they ever? Perhaps because the silent majority are aware that this is a foreign country and what they do and whom they elect is their business and we let them get on with it for better or for worse? You know, like grown ups do? As an aside, the Mail is wrong. These people are not by any stretch of the imagination liberals they are highly illiberal.

Leaving aside that peaceful protest is the root of democracy, the idea that mass protest doesn’t achieve anything can be made only by someone with literally no knowledge of history. As for the suggestion that the best way to deal with Trump is not mass protest but “respectful” engagement, as the Times suggested, this can be made only by someone with absolutely no understanding of the man. He is not a normal politician. To treat him as one is almost as stupid as sneering at protest.

I have observed many protests over he course of my life and apart from the mass refusal to cooperate during the poll tax debacle, none of them has achieved anything other than adding to global warming. Politicians are renowned for not taking any notice of a few thousand marchers who do not reflect the views of  the silent majority. Nor for that matter do they take any notice when the marchers do occasionally reflect the attitudes of the silent majority, which, I suspect, they did over the war in Iraq. So, no, they do not achieve anything and sneering seems perfectly apt. I am no fan of Trump – he is a protectionist and is an unpleasant piece of work, as those who clashed with him over his golf courses in Scotland will doubtless attest. However, the mass hysteria and demands that he be removed that is coming from the usual suspects means that he is proving a rich source of entertainment. They had an election. He won by the rules of engagement. Now get over it. But they can’t it seems. They want him removed, despite the democratic process having played out according to the rules. The popcorn industry will be struggling to cope.

What we are seeing is a chipping away at dissent. Those who sneer at protest should ask themselves what, exactly, they are hoping to achieve. Telling people not to protest is not proof of calm sophistication – it is anti-democratic and strongly suggestive of fear.

No one is telling anyone not to protest. No one is chipping away at dissent, we are merely laughing at it. The only anti-democrats here are those demanding that an election result be overturned because they don’t like the result. The lack of self-awareness here is beyond belief. Still, as an example of the strawman fallacy, it would go nicely in a text-book on the subject.

It is not those of us who look down on the protests as foolish and pathetic who are undemocratic and trying to close down debate. However, if we are, then we are merely learning the lessons so well given by the nasty, anti-democratic left. The boot is now on the other foot and they really, really don’t like it. So, as far as I am concerned, I have no sympathy, will continue to sneer and continue with my absolute disdain for these people. They are well deserving of it, for they now reap what they have sown.

And, no, I am not afraid. Not remotely.