Nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon, which cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who wields it. It is a sword that heals.

Ellen Schaffhouser (posted on FB group Veterans Against Putintrumpism (VAP)

1 hr

Ok Vets... can we prevent another civil war? Can we prevent a flash point at a Democratic rally?

In light of my two experiences observing interactions of Trump supporters and Bernie supporters at the Trump airport landing on Wednesday and The Bernie rally on Friday, I have a suggestion for supporters of any Democratic rally that has Trumpers at it.

I thought about the small group of flag waving Bubba Trumpers out side the Bernie Rally. All men. All taxes taunting.

Could I ever see them as Brothers?

At both the Bernie rally and the Trump landing in Bakersfield what I call Stereotypical bubba Trump supporters wanted to encounter a conflict.

We must be ready to to encounter more of their taunts and hate. Here is a suggestion:

Do not engage in argument but if you feel the urge to say something, engage them in short, brief statement that follows below and then walk away: (carry a small flag waving American flag you can get for a dollar. Great for waving at a rally anyway.)

When approaching a Trumper offer him the gift of your American flag and say,

“You are my BROTHER. All of these people are your Brothers and Sisters, Mothers and Fathers, we are NOT your enemy.” We all live in the same house called the UNITED States of America. The enemy is anyone who will tell you that the person “over there” is the enemy.”(pointing to the Democratic rallyiers)

After I said this to one of them the other day I looked at him with my blue eyes, And aging blond hair and said,
“You shame my white face.” And walked away. (You don’t have to use that line of course)

Unity must be our weapon.

This is not empathy.. this is deescalation in action, unity in Democrats purpose. Unity in disarming GOP supporters. Disarmament of the opponent.

Perry Malcolm Spot on! 👏👏👏👍🏽
I’m comforted someone else is seeing the REAL danger during this flashpoint season!!
Great concrete suggestions!
All in line with the spirit of nonviolence as political “warfare”!

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  Ellen Schaffhouser Perry Malcolm thanks..Now spread the word brother.

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  Zac Vappa Nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon, which cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who wields it. It is a sword that heals.
  
  Martin Luther King, Jr.

Ron Alexander, the founder of this group, flies the Veterans for Peace Flag and is mostly respected by both right and left. When questioned by left, he responds that "we have not have had one day of peace since day one of announced candidacy."   

Martin Luther King, Jr. quotes: Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
The time is always right to do what is right.
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?
Free at last, Free at last, Thank God almighty we are free at last.
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
The quality, not the longevity, of one's life is what is important.
I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.
In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.
The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education.