The thought from many is that if Donald Trump was inciting a riot, then so was Maxine Waters. If we are to compare them, however, it takes a lot of study. You have to go back and listen to what Maxine said, first determining if it incited a riot. That's the starting point.
It is timely, then, to go back to 2018 and listen to her. Call up her whole speech, listen to it for context. It's a just plea, from my standpoint. But, most of you might disagree. We are here to determine if she said anything that incited a riot. Listen to it, and be ready to point it out. But, also consider whether her words were appropriate, period. I'll post a little bit of it.
"Already you have members of your cabinet that have been booed out of restaurants, who have protesters taking up at their house. Who say, 'No peace, no sleep. No peace, no sleep.' And, guess what? We're going to win this battle because while you try to push the Bible -- Jeff Sessions and others -- you really don't know the Bible. God is on our side, on the side of the children, on the side of what's right, on the side of what's honorable, on the side of understanding that if we can't protect the children, we can't protect anybody. And, so, let's stay the course. Let's make sure we show up wherever we have to show up. And, if you see anybody from that cabinet in a restaurant, in a department store, or at a gasoline station, you get out and join the crowd, and you push back on them. And you tell them they're not welcome anymore, anywhere. We've got to get the children connected to their parents. We don't know what damage has been done to those children. All that we know is they're in cages. They are in prison. They are in jail. I don't care what you call it. That's where they are. And, Mr. President, we will see you every day, every hour of the day, everywhere to let you know you cannot get away with it."
As I listened to the video, the words that struck me hardest were, "And you tell them they're not welcome anymore, anywhere." Would be wonderful if we were more accepting, more tolerant, more patient, more loving of each other. I visualized what it would be like if they were more tolerant of Trump's cabinet. I imagined them politely walking up to the cabinet members when they saw them in the restaurants and in department stores and at gasoline stations. What if they had been polite? What if they had let go of the anger? What if they had smiles on their faces that reflected love? Is that asking too much? Just politely tell Trump's cabinet members you think the children should be reunited to their parents.
Did Maxine call for violence? I'm not seeing it. Did she say anything that could stir people up to protest? Yes. She definitely called for protest, and protest can lead to violence.
I do not fault her for her message, though. Nor do I fault people who to this day are protesting for the children. I am not aware of any of these protests that have resulted in riots. But, perhaps as quick as I say that, someone will point them out. We are talking just about rioting caused by those protesting for the children to be reunited to their parents here. So, be fair and not extend it to anything else.
Here's the whole video. While you listen to it, consider whether what Maxine was asking the people to protest for was a just cause.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1Fu3g1MGHY
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