I Won't Be Silenced by the Left
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
I'm amazed but not surprised. Those who seek political advantage by dividing the nation hurl the worst possible accusations to silence anyone who challenges their left-wing agenda.
In a recent radio interview on the Joe Pags Show, I explained why I wasn't concerned by the Trump supporters who came to Washington on Jan. 6 to protest peacefully. Thousands of protesters—no one knows the actual number—marched to the Capitol. Only about 800 people illegally entered the Capitol. Still fewer engaged in violent acts. I condemned those lawbreakers at the time and continue to do so. But I feel compelled to push back as Democrats and their media allies try to equate the two groups by implying that all present were "armed insurrectionists" determined to overthrow the government.
I told Joe Pags the truth: I honestly never felt threatened on Jan. 6. But, I added, I might have been worried if Donald Trump had won and the violent leftists who burned Kenosha, Wis., and Minneapolis last summer had come to Washington. Here's exactly what I said: "Now, had the tables been turned—Joe, this could get me in trouble—had the tables been turned, and President Trump won the election, and those were tens of thousands of Black Lives Matter and antifa protesters, I might have been a little concerned."
I said "this could get me in trouble" because I have been repeatedly attacked for challenging the left's false narratives. I had no idea they would so thoroughly twist my words and reflexively play the race card.
Leftists who want to memory hole last summer's political violence immediately started lecturing me that the 2020 protests were mostly peaceful. Apparently they've forgotten that, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project, 570 leftist protests became riots last year. Twenty-five people lost their lives and 700 law enforcement officers were injured. Braying about "peaceful protests" offers no comfort to those victims or the other innocent Americans whose homes, businesses and property were destroyed. The same people fail to see the damage they do by pushing a narrative designed to portray the 74 million Americans who voted for Mr. Trump as potential domestic terrorists or armed insurrectionists.
We should all be disgusted at the cynical way antifa and other leftists hide behind the banner of equality—a goal we all share—even as they carry signs calling for an end to America or talk of burning cities down. It was also sadly predictable that liberals would hurl the accusation of racism. This isn’t about race. It’s about riots. The rioters who burned Kenosha weren’t of any one ethnicity; they were united by their radical leftism.
Their politics, together with their taste for violence—so different from the Trump supporters I know personally or the Trump rallies we all saw carried out peacefully—should concern us. There’s a reason why the boarded-up windows in the downtowns of major cities came down soon after Joe Biden won the election: Nobody was worried what Trump supporters would do if their guy lost; they were worried about what Biden supporters would do if their guy didn’t win.
Unfortunately, much of the media have lost any sense of fairness and objectivity. They shed all pretense of being unbiased the moment President Trump won the 2016 election. As a result, approximately half of America simply doesn’t trust the mainstream media or rely on what it reports. An unbiased free press is essential in a democracy, but the censorship of conservative perspectives in today’s cancel culture is antithetical to freedom.
Most reporters today put advocacy above journalism. Instead of conducting interviews with conservatives, they conduct arguments. They push their political viewpoints and are willing to lie, twist, distort, omit, censor and cancel anything or anyone with an opposing view. They are oblivious to the harm they are doing. All who value liberty and free speech must push back.
Mr. Johnson, a Republican, is a U.S. senator from Wisconsin.
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“Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently.”
― Maya Angelou
Well done Senator
you like poking the bear.... I'm gonna make some popcorn.
Does anyone Believe the charges of racism coming from those who think the burning of hundreds of minority owned businesses and the destruction of statues to Lincoln and Grant are legitimate protests?
Ron Johnson is a clown.
That's a great argument.
www.washingtonpost.com /politics/2021/03/15/ron-johnson-keeps-digging/
Ron Johnson keeps digging
Last week, Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) yet again caused controversy by saying what he really thought about the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. Having previously downplayed the severity of it and raised a debunked conspiracy theory that it might not have been perpetrated by supporters of former president Donald Trump, Johnson said he never truly felt threatened. His reason: Because, in his words, “those are people that love this country, that truly respect law enforcement, would never do anything to break the law.” He said he would have felt more threatened if Black Lives Matter or antifa were behind the riot.
On Monday, Johnson kept digging.
In an appearance on a local Wisconsin radio show , Johnson fought back against allegations of racism for invoking BLM and saying he would have been more scared if that movement had been behind it.
But there are several problems with his defense.
One is that he proclaimed to be surprised by the backlash.
“I completely did not anticipate that anybody could interpret what I said as racist,” Johnson said. “It’s not. This is about rioters.”
Johnson also referred to the “innocuous statement that I made, never anticipated [my opponents] would turn it into what they always turn the debate into: racism.”
That doesn’t really fit with what Johnson said last week, though. In the course of making his controversial points to conservative radio host Joe Pagliarulo, Johnson acknowledged that his comments would “get me in trouble.”
“Now, had the tables been turned — now, Joe, this will get me in trouble — had the tables been turned and President Trump won the election and those were tens of thousands of Black Lives Matter and antifa protesters, I might have been a little concerned,” Johnson said.
To the momentary credit of Johnson’s interviewer Monday, conservative host Dan O’Donnell, O’Donnell mentioned that comment to Johnson while following up. But he didn’t press him on the apparent incongruity, and Johnson skated past it.
Johnson responded of BLM: “They have proven, repeatedly, pretty violent. Which is why I would have been — I said ‘a little concerned.’ ‘A little concerned.’ So no, this is being blown way out of proportion. Again, they’re just using the race card as they always do.”
Update: Johnson told reporters later Monday that his “get me in trouble" remark wasn’t anticipating being accused of racism. “I was just commenting on the fact that I’ve been attacked repeatedly trying to get to the truth," he said. "I’ve been challenging that narrative. And so when I said you know, ‘this will probably get me in trouble,’ I’m pushing back on that narrative.”
Elsewhere in the interview, Johnson made the case for why his comments weren’t actually racist, pointing to the White participants in BLM protests.
“Remember those leftist activists, those protesters, some of them turned violent and turned into riots — a lot of them are White,” Johnson said. “You see the pictures on [Fox News host] Tucker Carlson, and it looks like most of them are White. So there’s no racism involved in this at all.”
Whatever the composition of the Black Lives Matter protests, though, the images that have played on Fox shows like Carlson’s hardly project a majority-White movement. And the videos of violence are definitely not majority-White. Even if you set aside that most people would associate Black Lives Matter with Black people, it doesn’t really pass the smell test.
Johnson continued.
“I have to admit, obviously I knew how sensitive the left is, and they have a narrative,” he said. “And the narrative they’re pushing is that there were literally thousands of armed protesters. Well, I kind of busted that up a little bit by asking the FBI witness how many guns were confiscated. None.”
First, it’s not clear where Johnson is getting his idea that “the left” is saying there were “literally thousands of armed protesters.” Most estimates peg the number of those entering the Capitol in the hundreds, and none that we’ve found say thousands were there and actually armed. It’s a great straw man to knock down.
Johnson’s claim about the lack of armed participants rests on an exchange he has earlier this month with Jill Sanborn, assistant director of the FBI’s counterterrorism division. But as fact-checkers have noted, while Sanborn said the FBI hadn’t seized guns, other law enforcement who were involved — and much more plentiful on the scene — did . An NPR database shows that more than a dozen who have been arrested in the Capitol riot had dangerous or deadly weapons . Even after Johnson’s comments Monday, two suspects were arrested for allegedly spraying bear spray on a police officer , Brian D. Sicknick, who later died. And among the broader group of protesters, D.C. police officer Daniel Hodges told The Washington Post they “ had been seizing guns all day .”
“Listen, I understand that some of the protesters used flagpoles as weapons, and I don’t discount the harm that can be created by a thrown flagpole or metal fence part or baseball bat,” Johnson said Monday. “And I condemn all of that. But the fact of the matter is the left wants to push this narrative that 74 million Americans are somehow potentially armed insurrectionists or domestic terrorists.”
Another straw man. Nobody of substance is saying this represents all Trump supporters. The allegation is that the Capitol riot was the result of Trump’s baseless questioning of the 2020 election results and claims that the election was stolen, and that a relatively small number were radicalized by it — enough to put lawmakers like Johnson in danger.
Johnson, though, insists he didn’t feel endangered like his colleagues did — despite a member of his own party, Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah), having to run away from danger.
The last and perhaps biggest problem with Johnson’s comments is the scale and the target. There is no question that racial-justice protests occasionally turned violent last summer. As The Post’s Philip Bump has written , though, there is no comparison when it comes to the number of people involved and the relative death toll.
Johnson referenced 25 deaths tied to Black Lives Matter protests, but those were spread out across the country, involved hundreds of thousands more protesters, and lasted for months. By contrast, Sicknick is among five people who died as a result of the Capitol riot, according to authorities. Given the limited number of people involved — by Johnson’s own account — it was exponentially more deadly. It also involved a literal assault on the seat of government of the United States. If you had to be in the middle of one of hundreds of racial justice protests or the Capitol riot, which would you choose?
What’s perhaps most telling about Johnson’s version of events is how few of his fellow Republicans have joined in it. These are generally allegations reserved for far-right elements like the ones Johnson cited in raising his allegation about who was behind the Capitol riot. Few of them are downplaying what happened that day or have made similar arguments suggesting it wasn’t actually Trump supporters. They’ve merely argued that Trump wasn’t culpable or that impeaching and convicting him wasn’t warranted.
The idea that the people who overran and injured police officers “truly respect law enforcement” and that they “would never do anything to break the law,” despite about 300 of them having been arrested, was already pretty remarkable. But on Monday, Johnson continued to cast doubt on what actually happened during an event in which the historical record is pretty clear.
Ron Johnson originally denied that the Capitol rioters were Trump supporters and tried to blame it on "antifa". He is a clown who tries to emulate Trump (who is a clown).
Thanks for posting the entire opinion piece, but that is Aaron Blake's argument and I can quickly dismiss it as progressive projection. The fact that Johnson mentions BLM or fears it, does not, in any way, imply racism. Many black residents of the cities that saw so much violence last year must also fear BLM, IMO.
That is debatable. Are members of a group like the Oathtakers representative of the average Trump supporter? I say NO.
and tried to blame it on "antifa".
There was an antifa member there trying to instigate, but you couldn't blame antifa for Jan 6th. So he is wrong on that one, but that doesn't make Johnson a "racist" either. As usual those who are throwing the word around are worse than racists.
Actually, his mentioning Black Lives Matter does imply racism. He could have easily just said "leftist radicals" instead.
You know how and why Johnson does what he does, so you could stop playing "innocent".
Your "arguments" get farther and farther out there as time goes by. Ron Johnson is a widely discredited individual.
Why would he do that? According to the facts cited by ACLED: "Well over 80% of all demonstrations are connected to the Black Lives Matter movement"
You know how and why Johnson does what he does, so you could stop playing "innocent".
John, we happen so see things differently, remember?
Your "arguments" get farther and farther out there as time goes by.
As opposed to yours, I guess.
Ron Johnson is a widely discredited individual.
No, John, It doesn't work that way!
Yeah. Making openly racist comments will get you into trouble. And he knew it before he said it. And people still defend him. It's truly pathetic.
The "tables turned" involves race???
Here: This is what a racist statement is:
“You got the first mainstream African American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy. I mean, that’s a storybook, man.”
Or this:
“We should challenge students in these schools. We have this notion that somehow if you’re poor, you cannot do it. Poor kids are just as bright and just as talented as white kids.”
How about this:
“Well, I tell you what, if you have a problem figuring out whether you’re for me or Trump, then you ain’t black.”
This statement suggests white kids can't be poor.
They can't?
How about this:
"But she is a typical white person who, uh, if she sees somebody on the street that she doesn’t know there’s a reaction that’s been been bred into our experiences that don’t go away and that sometimes come out in the wrong way and that’s just the nature of race in our society."
Your post states that, not me.
You know who made that statement right?
My post? Those are the words of Joe Biden. You decided to interpret them: This statement suggests white kids can't be poor.
Doesn't matter to me who said it - I said that the statement suggests that white kids can't be poor.
I meant in your post - sorry, my error. In your post that statement suggests that white kids can't be poor.
BTW not a Biden fan.
Ok, can we then assume that anyone who thinks white kids can't be poor is probably racist?
Not discussing racism with you, because you fail to understand what it means.
To the contrary: I gave you numerous examples, all of which fit the definition.
I understand why you don't want to answer.
I told you why I will not talk to you about it. I understand why you don't want to accept the truth.
Please speak the truth to us.
Not worth it - you will only ticket me again and again and again.
I PM'd you
Isn't that what some of us call "whataboutism?
Only racist in the eyes of true racists....those who unceasingly play and exploit the race card
This reads like typical right wing bull shit. One just starts with the premise that everything and everyone on the left is of one mind, then throws in some ephemeral yet omnipresent antifa, stirs it in with a good dash of hyperbolic city burning and rioting with undertones of Satanism, and "poof", one ready made diatribe that, were it not so pervasive and ubiquitous these days, would be laughable.
It is hard to understand why he is so upset at journalists questioning what he is saying when every other idea he spouts is distorted beyond the limits of credulity.
Well, here is what the ACLED actually said :
There is some really good content that puts the events of last summer into a more balanced perspective than Johnson's portrayal.
Oh dear!
There is some really good content that puts the events of last summer into a more balanced perspective than Johnson's portrayal.
You must have something hidden in the words. 570 violent demonstrations is a lot for the rest of us. I'll let the people of Portland and Seattle and Chicago etc know that those riots only accounted for 5% of the protests held by the radical left last year. I'm sure they'll feel much better about it.
I have to say none, unless you can show otherwise.
Really?
Please show us the proof of that claim.
It's amazing how they think that helps them. It was "only" 570 violent riots. Who could possibly be bothered by 570 violent riots?
I'm sure it was the same guys who beat Officer Sicknick to death with a fire extinguisher.
It would be like the Judge telling Paul Manafort Well, look at it this way - it could have been for life!
Do you ever think about what you think you know?
You don’t get it. Nobody beat anybody to death with a fire extinguisher. That’s the point.
Two months in and they don't know the cause of death. That is really incredible.
Actually there still is no official cause of death. One thing has been determined, though: He suffered no blunt force trauma of any kind.
" Two law enforcement officials told the New York Times last month that Sicknick’s injuries were the result of being hit in the head by a fire extinguisher, but a medical examiner has reportedly disputed that account, according to CNN , finding no evidence of blunt force trauma."
Message and answer are still the same, talking to ME or not.
Man who helped ignite George Floyd riots identified as white supremacist: Police
..
Police: Richmond riots instigated by white supremacists disguised as Black Lives Matter
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Many hundreds of thousands of citizens peacefully marched to protest the inequality of treatment the police too often show toward people of color.
ANYTIME you get that many people together there's the risk of opportunist, anarchy or instigators jumping on to try and take advantage of the gathering.
( About 5 to 7 % of the time for the BLM rally's. )
.
Here are five American cities which rioted after sporting success and defeat
.
Johnson is a raciest, lying jackass trying to bury the pile of dog crap that is the Trump followers who tried to use lethal force to overthrow the legally elected government and the roll played by the large portion of bigots and white supremacist in the current Trump gop behind the weakest of what about isms.
Saying he's fine with things like this;
AP PHOTOS: Scenes of violence at U.S. Capitol Shock world
Neo-Nazi Who Killed Charlottesville Protester Is Sentenced To Life In Prison
But when poor ol Johnson catches a glimpse of the black in the LARGELY PEACEFUL BLM gatherings, well then he starts shivering and pissing himself in fear.
He knocked the windows out and walked away.. That somehow forced innocent BLM supporters enter the store, loot it and set it on fire. It also made them break into other stores, loot and burn them down. And it also makes him responsible for the 570 other violent riots.
Poor BLM rioters, so mentally weak that a single man breaking a few windows gave them no choice but to destroy an entire city.
know, Y don't U X plane as day to me what is unseen by you
Go right ahead, Vic, give them a shout out. I used to live near Capital Hill in Seattle, and I know the park that had the CHAZ in it. It was a tiny area in relation to the city, yet to hear some clamor on about it, you would have thought that they barricaded the freeways and had the whole town under siege. This faux, manufactured outrage is just what I am talking about when I say right wing BS.
Here is the definition of violent protest from the site that 570 number comes from:
Further:
To be clear, one violent act is too many, and I by no means mean to diminish the consequences of these acts, but to characterize these demonstrations with a blanket label of "violent" is not just disingenuous, it is utterly false and a lie. Those people who continue to claim that the BLM protests were violent in nature are just lying, pure and simple. Facts are facts and there are no "alternate facts" allowed in truthful debate. If the characterization rises again, I will feel free, as should anyone on this site, to call the claim a lie, because it is.
But, once again, it comes from nowhere strange(from the same page):
Have a nice day.
yes, the left never, ever does that.
Imagine the left picking a single riot and using it to stereotype an entire movement. That would never happen.
Add in the Antifa agitators, and that's who causes most of the violence of those supposedly peaceful protests.
In contrast to one protest that turned violent by a small number of alleged Trump supporters, while the vast majority of those present at the Capitol remained peaceful.
I learned it from you, Tessy.
Admit it. This is a true statement.
Probably because Trump supporters were pushing the big lie and wanted to steal the election.
Admit it, This is a true statement. Imagine being pissed about that.
The reason doesn't matter. The point is one side has a consistent history of violence, and the other basically has an isolated incident.
DUuuu
Here's exactly what I said: "Now, had the tables been turned—Joe, this could get me in trouble—had the tables been turned, and President Trump won the election, and those were tens of thousands of Black Lives Matter and antifa protesters, I might have been a little concerned."
Mr. Johnson, a Republican, is a U.S. senator from Wisconsin
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Hell yeah he wasn't too concerned, it was HIS side attacking the capitol.
This one really does get my ... DUuuuuu
Maybe he should have been concerned. From what I understand, the noose they had was for Mike Pence. In fact, if you go back to Trump’s speech and understand his words in context, he was urging people to make themselves heard to Republicans, not Democrats. They all already knew Democrats weren’t going to budge. It was Republicans they were trying to convince.
I'd say you understand more than he did. So much of this was so over the top and unrealistic.. Hopefully a once in a lifetime crazy time.
trumps ultimate goal in sending people to disrupt the government's business must have been to enable trump to legally order Martial law allowing him to hold power.
trump's a frickin idiot .. a very twisted dangerous one.
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martial law
noun
You forgot the quotes around "Convince"
We have all now witnessed Ron Johnson lying his ass off enough to verify that he has zero credibility. He is a joke, a punch line. He can go eat a bug...
You're funny.