As a libertarian I am firmly against violence directed at functionaries of the State, as a strategy or tactic to produce positive change.
This doesn’t work (like killing cockroaches with your shoe, there’s always many more) and causes a tremendous blowback. Nearly everyone in the US believes in democratic voting for change rather than victory by killing your opponents. Violence can only intimidate, not convince.
This is why the recent anti-Trump/GOP, progressive Democrat shooter in Virginia was totally wrong-headed for his attack. Any similar acts should be condemned regardless of who or why committed.
That is clear.
Nonetheless, it is hard to miss the irony. There is dramatic fuss over the (thus far) nonlethal act by one deranged individual against members of a body which — as a whole — directs millions of armed killers who daily inflict thousands of grievous wounds upon others. Congress tells us we need no obsolete Declaration of War to arm and fund these military killers in dozens of foreign lands. They merely label people as “enemies” and the shooting begins. Let the drones fly!
In Roman imperial times when the Huns, Goths and Vandals arrived at the gates of the capital city, Senators knew trouble was at their door. They either bugged out or coughed up treasure as bribes. They were happy to vote for imperial wars so long as they could stay safe at home and enjoy the spoils. Not so happy when vengeful barbarians wanted payback. Rome was sacked more than once.
Well, Congressmen and Senators, barbarians are now at your gate. As cries of “not my President” and “Resistance” are heard from the sore losers in the recent elections, the thirst for revenge stirs not only in the parlors of Georgetown DC and Upper East Side Manhattan, but in the suburban American ranch homes of agitated partisan malcontents. Attacks on supporters of the elected president and riots preventing public appearances by conservative speakers are quietly condoned or applauded by resentful media-intellectual elites. If Congress can effortlessly commit mass mayhem, why not unhappy Harvey Q. Nutcase? Is not his war equally legal? Are not the President and Republicans “illegitimate” rulers? Then declare them your enemy on your Facebook page and start shooting.
The pain and injury of being attacked is all too real today for those in our own imperial capital. Some in Congress were victims of vengeful violence on June 14.
If they have the wisdom and morality they often claim, Congress should develop empathy for this same grief and pain they inflict upon others using their military agents in far off lands. Angry vengeful barbarians are already lining up at their gates. Foreign and domestic.
For any real healing to occur, Congress needs to halt their support for senseless and unending violence and work instead for peace here and abroad.
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Source: Murray Rothbard from Lew Rockwell – Barbarians at the Gate