ynthrepic

New Zealand.

We're currently enjoying a right wing government with a few Trump inspired figures, skyrocketing cost of living, rising crime, and very disconcerting xenophobic and quasi racist musings coming out of certain public figures. But blissfully and blessedly we're a long way away from the chaos your brothers and sisters are going through now and the hell that may be soon to come.

The fear is the global world order falling apart may not be long in following.

Well said yeah. There are definitely some nuances in the way to defend yourself in a country where everyone is armed to the teeth, and a whole lot of cynicism given the circumstances. My words are aspirational at best, I get that. In reality, I'm saying what I'm saying because I share your concerns for your people.

I have no concerns about defending yourself in your own home or even your neighborhood if it comes to door to door mob on mob like that.

If they open fire on unarmed civilians fracture is much more likely than if they open fire on an armed milita. I'm just looking to encourage avoiding giving the authoritarian side any excuse to claim the higher ground.

I'm saying you armed Joe citizen can't win an armed conflict against the military. That's all.

Victory worth having has to be won through peaceful civil disobedience, or there's a very good chance a lot of people will die for nothing.

I'd like to hear arguments to the contrary, but so far it's crickets.

2. and 4. Aren't right.

Peaceful protests aren't just performative. Not sure how I gave that impression. They are challenging authorities to demonstrate their commitment to the common good. Violence (even very mild violence) against peaceful people is unequivocally wrong unless they're doing something that might directly harm others.. like blocking an emergency vehicle route or something.

It also puts pressure on politicians to do the right thing.

Right now, against this government, we don't know how effective protests will be in the end. We don't know if military officers will remain loyal to the constitution and state leadership tover the orders of the dictator in chief.

There are too many unknowns and it's far too early to be giving up on a non-violent solution.

Obviously don't fire the first shot; but if they do, it needs to be met with a shot back.

By whom and in what context?

Are you really saying US citizens matyring themselves by provoking armed crackdowns by the military is more reliable than peaceful protest? Because that's what it sounds like you're saying.

There is no "battle" right now. There is no civil war yet. What you're saying is the kind of behavior that will start it.

This is illustrative of your whole problem over there though - the solution to crap government is better government, not regression to fuedalism. Peaceful protest is not "sticking your head in the sand" - it's putting yourself in real danger given what Trump and the federal military are currently doing. But everyone standing across the line with a gun in their hand is a human being. The moment you arm the mob, the military has a mandate to engage and they will be far less sympathetic to the plight of the citizenry. Armed resistance, or any kind of violent resistance whatsoever, should be the absolute last resort.

Nice Rs.