Do “No Kings” rallies encourage violence?

[John Meissner]

Estes Park and especially the left-wing Voice and League are thrilled with the growing participation in local anti-Republican Party rallies.

I would never ever resort to even thinking about violence in an attempt to get a legitimately-elected official out of office.  I am happy to denounce the actions of the mob on January 6, as our Democrat-registered colleagues should be related to Butler, PA or last night's attempted assassination at the WHCD.

At this increasingly divisive time, it would be helpful if the League and the Voice would go on record as advocating for respecting the results of elections, instead of endlessly promoting activities which encourage unstable or misguided followers/acolytes to get rid of ELECTED officials by any means necessary.

-join the rational and sane

[John Meissner]

As predicted (attached).  I hope there is a way forward that doesn't involve additional No Kings Manchurian brainwashing exercises on easily impressionable gamers prior to the next presidential election.

[Gary Hall]

John, I believe that our elections (national, local, elsewhere) are highly trustworthy and I accept the results of those. You've heard me say “democracy in action” since my first hour as mayor, even when on the minority side of a vote. I accept and support the Board decisions; I accept the national decisions. America chooses who it wants to support. (I am, though, a “popular vote” fan without electoral archaisms and I hope America switches to that some day.)

I don’t think any political party or group has a monopoly on violence, but I do think that violent tendencies mostly inhabit only the extreme elements of any party or group. Generally, I see the “no kings” folks as arguing with policy, actions, words, methods of the duly elected administration.

So count me in as advocating the acceptance of what I consider still to be highly accurate elections. Thanks for the thoughtful ruminations. 

. 

Gary M. Hall

Mayor of the Town of Estes Park

Cell 970-744-9052

Email: gh...@estes.org