Michelle Malkin is running a series of stories that are called "Liberals Are So Lovely", which highlights, in her mind, attacks from liberals on Republicans. So, for example, she linked to this story which shows a man's car that was vandalized because he had a sign in his car that said: "Democrats Kill Babies, Attack Churches, Slander President Bush, But Accuse Others of Spreading Hate". Let's just ignore the directly inflammatory nature of the man's flier in his car, and the fact that he was putting it there to piss people off (otherwise, why tar all 'liberals' with that brush he was using?) and say this:
It's stupid and pointless to denounce an entire group of people based on the actions of a few, UNLESS, said action is directed from the leadership. Hence, there isn't the claim that the guy kicking the protestor at the RNC represents ALL Republicans, but is just a complete ass himself. Also, isn't it possible that these acts of violence are just random acts of vandalism that are prepetrated by children, teenagers, who, in their rage lash out at those who they feel are in power? Probably, and we only hear more about it because of the highly charged election we're going through now, and increased media coverage, including all of the bloggers jumping all over the story.
I don't excuse the actions. Breaking someone's car window because you don't agree with the message, no matter now ugly it is, is wrong. But to turn and say "Those Damn Liberals" is shortsighted and dumb, and you're just another dickhead playing partisan politics.
Mr. Reeves, I understand your points above, and to a certain extent I agree with your points. However, I have three counter-points to introduce to the conversation (I welcome any feedback you have):
1. These people are making asses of themselves (as you say), yet in the context of an election many of these actions amount to voter intimidation. No one should feel intimidated when expressing his/her viewpoint. Parents shouldn't feel afraid to put up a political sign on the fence for fear their kids will be harassed while playing in the yard.
2. We could chalk up these incidents to teenage vandalism, yet why do these attacks seem to be primarily directed at *Republican* campaign offices, supporters, etc.? It seems like a certain group of folks are SO angry this election cycle they're letting their emotions boil over. I'm not saying they're generally Democrats, liberals, or anything else (though some of them demonstrably are); I am saying they are nearly all Bush-haters
3. It could be there are Kerry-haters around the country doing these sorts of things too; however, I haven't seen the media reports of such activity. I would denounce equally anti-Kerry campaign activity.
The links below will give a better sense of the wide-spread nature of this phenomenon. True, this is anecdotal evidence, yet note the wide-spread geographical extent of the reports.
Stories originating in objective news sources
*Vandalism at Alaska Campaign Offices
http://tinyurl.com/3uk76
*Union "protesters" invade Florida campaign office
http://tinyurl.com/53r2t
*"Protestors" invade Florida campaign office (may be another piece about same incident)
http://tinyurl.com/5qyvt
*Burglary at Washington campaign office
http://tinyurl.com/4huhu
*Harassment & death threat to Republican candidate
http://tinyurl.com/6o5bk
*Florida Democrat assaults Repub campaign worker at office
http://tinyurl.com/452u3
*Campaign office shot up in Tennessee
http://tinyurl.com/6c6zz
*Campaign sign vandalism in Maryland (includes reports of both Dem & GOP sign vandalism)
http://tinyurl.com/6vf2c
*Campaign office vandalized in W. Va.
http://tinyurl.com/4692d
*Another Wash. campaign office burglarized
http://tinyurl.com/6tsp4
*Ripping up the campaign sign of a small child in West Va. (there was some speculation this might have been a hoax, but that has now been refuted)
http://tinyurl.com/6ecxk
Stories originating in partisan news sources (for what they're worth)
*Eyewitness account of being attacked by Bush haters in Mass.
http://tinyurl.com/5zrwg
*Examples of vandalism in Minnesota
http://tinyurl.com/5tq24
*Repub web site press release
http://tinyurl.com/3pc6k
Cheers,
Mike
When does the volume of anecdotal evidence allow it to be classified empirical evidence? These acts are the natural outworking of liberalism whose ideologically entrenched intolerance, bigotry and consequentialism makes these incidents not only likely, but accepted practice.