Dictators Don’t Play Fair
The No Kings protests on October 18 drew millions of people to 2,700 different locations to voice their opposition to Trump’s increasingly dictatorial policies. Despite predictions by Sen. Ted Cruz and others, the protests were peaceful and civil. I doubt that Trump’s minions will allow that to continue because dictators don’t play fair.
Every dictator in history has punished anyone who challenged his authority. Trump has pursued criminal charges against some of his most prominent critics, such as James Comey, John Bolton, and Letitia James, and he has threatened to prosecute many others in his campaign of retribution. After the October 18 protests, he responded by posting a video of himself flying a fighter jet and dropping fecal matter on the protestors. Trump has made it abundantly clear that he has no tolerance for those who disagree with him.
The Bully-in-Chief does not hesitate to express his displeasure, and his MAGA sycophants are ready to carry out his wishes, even if those wishes aren’t explicitly expressed. Consider the video mentioned above as an example.
Trump has essentially given his mindless followers permission to treat No Kings protesters like excrement. All it will take is one MAGAster following Trump’s lead to incite a riot. And then, Trump may shut down future protests and claim the protesters are violent.
Granted, this is speculative. But dictators don’t play fair, and they will use any means available to “justify” their edicts. Trump told us he would prosecute his political enemies if re-elected. Many didn’t believe him, and his devoted followers cheered him on. He has shown the world that he would like to silence the No Kings protesters by dropping the contents of a cesspool on them.
With freedom of speech under attack, it is worth remembering the words of our first President. George Washington famously said, “If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.” Washington was right. If we can’t express our ideas and opinions without punishment from the government, we cannot know the truth. If we can’t challenge our government, then we are nothing more than slaves.
Dictators don’t play fair. Nor do those who aspire to be a dictator.