This is my usual mode, honestly, with anyone I think has the wrong end of the stick.

But these people KNOW they have the wrong end of the stick, and wield it proudly. Their ignorance and hate is their sole purpose. And - in my not-so-humble opinion - that is not compatible with community or society.

If a cliff face was eroding away, and we were losing a park with a beautiful view, what would we do? Reinforce the cliff. Plant deep-rooted plants that would help stabilize the soil. Maybe even create a seawall to slow/weaken the erosive force of the tides.

Protecting our community is no different.

Whether he is crying out for help, or has some other mental condition is immaterial. He has chosen to wrap himself in this flag precisely because it is a signal of hate that everyone is familiar with, so he can walk around "being nice", and be attacked by someone like me and claim to be the victim, when the real victim are my non-white neighbors and friends.

I'm a left-coast leftie live-and-let-live liberal... but there are limits, and we need to protect those.

... somehow ...

But violence? Ugh. I hate the idea... but it may come down to that, in the end.