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Questions

1. Editorial cartoonists often use humor to make light of serious situations. To what ongoing news stories does this cartoon refer?
Challenge: list a few headline examples.

2. a) Define civility.
b) Several leaders of the Democrat party have called on supporters to oppose Republican policies by acting out against Republicans. When supporters have confronted Republicans – yelling, screaming, harassing… Democratic leaders have been silent. (Examples below.)   How effective do you think this tactic is as a political strategy?

  • Eric Holder Tells Crowd To “Kick” Republicans, Prompting Crowd To Cheer & Chant “Fight” (Mr. Holder made the remarks during a rally in support of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams in Stockbridge, Georgia on October 7, 2018).  Eric Holder served as President Obama’s Attorney General – he was the top law enforcement officer and lawyer for the government.
  • Hillary Clinton says Democrats ‘cannot be civil’ with Republicans  – During an interview on CNN Mrs. Clinton said, “You cannot be civil with a political party that wants to destroy what you stand for, what you care about. That’s why I believe, if we are fortunate enough to win back the House and or the Senate, that’s when civility can start again.” – CNN, October 10, 2018.  Hillary Clinton, wife of President Bill Clinton, was a Democratic presidential candidate (and former New York senator and also President Obama’s Secretary of State)
  • Democratic Congresswoman Maxine Waters encouraged supporters to harass Trump administration officials – CNN, June 25, 2018: “And if you see anybody from that Cabinet in a restaurant, in a department store, at a gasoline station, you get out and you create a crowd. And you push back on them. And you tell them they’re not welcome anymore, anywhere,” Rep. Waters said at a rally in Los Angeles

3. What do you think would happen if Trump supporters started employing the same tactics against Democrats with whom they disagree?


Scroll down to the bottom of the page for the answers.

Cartoon by Gary Varvel

Answers

1. Over the past year, numerous Republican officials have been accosted by angry mobs shouting at them (and sometimes cursing) in an attempt to drive them out of whatever public place they are in. These progressive protesters assert that due to various Trump administration policies (on illegal immigration, health care, Supreme Court nominee…) those they are confronting do not “deserve” to be in a public place.

  • Republican Senate Majority leader Mitch “McConnell chased from KY restaurant by protesters” – CNN, July 9, 2018
  • Republican Senate Majority leader “Mitch McConnell harassed by protesters at DC airport over Brett Kavanaugh vote” – CBS News, Oct. 3 2018
  • Republican Senator “Ted Cruz and wife are shouted out of D.C. restaurant over his support for Kavanaugh” – Washington Post, Sept. 17, 2018
  • “Protesters confront Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi at movie screening: ‘You’re a horrible person!’ – Tampa Bay Times
  • “Activists targeted Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen’s home” – Many held signs calling Nielsen a “Child Snatcher” and chanted “No justice, no sleep!” and “Free the children!” (over the Trump administration’s policy on illegal immigration) – June 2018
  • “Protesters chant ‘shame’ at DHS Secretary Nielsen at Mexican restaurant” – Protesters chanted and berated her until she left. – June 20, 2018
  • “Immigration protesters target [White House advisor] Stephen Miller’s home – The Hill. Protesters put up “Wanted” posters around his neighborhood with his photo and a list of his “crimes”

2. a) Civility is defined by Oxford Dictionary as: Formal politeness and courtesy in behavior or speech.
b) Opinion question. Answers vary. One possible opinion. This is not a good strategy. The large majority of Americans disapprove of these protesters’ harassing tactics.

3. What do you think would happen if Trump supporters started employing the same tactics against Democrats with whom they disagree?
Opinion question. Answers vary.

WARNING: GRAPHIC LANGUAGE by people exercising their right to protest:  The liberal media claim the protestors are not a mob: