Surprise, surprise: Some students at Iowa State University are clamoring for the death of President Donald Trump. The rowdy youth, who call themselves the Young Democratic Socialists of America, used Twitter to broadcast their message of hate and violence.
Their missive—“COMRADES: stay away from needle drugs! The only dope worth shooting is in the oval office”—drew the attention of the U.S. Secret Service. As idiotic as that tweet was, YDSA wasn’t done. They went on to cry out for the public lynching of capitalists as well: “The left has done a good job radicalizing juggalos, weebs, furries, but I will not rest until ‘hXc’ stands for hang+Xterminate capitalists.”
Stupid people say stupid things on Twitter, but YDSA’s open calls for violence against the president and anyone that opposes the group’s viewpoint is indicative of a larger problem facing participants in the national political discourse. It is no longer taboo to openly threaten, intimidate or encourage others to commit violent acts. In the not so distant past, behavior of this sort would result in a suspension of the group’s collegiate charter or even suspension of the students themselves—something would have been done.
Instead of disciplinary action or even a stern talking-to, Iowa State administrators passed on their leadership responsibilities, calling YDSA’s comments “free speech” and proffering a link to the university’s harassment policy for anyone that was offended.
… YDSA’s open calls for violence against the president and anyone that opposes the group’s viewpoint is indicative of a larger problem facing participants in the national political discourse.This is just another example of why the Second Amendment is so important to millions of gun owners in America. These types of written attacks spewed via social media are often dismissed as the work of keyboard warriors, and most of the time that is exactly what they are. But the accepted deployment of abuse against conservatives, Republicans, Second Amendment supporters and other free thinkers is a precursor to actual physical violence. Look no further than the disgusting mayhem of Antifa riots for proof that these Twitter attacks are the seeds of destructive behavior. These so-called protests often begin with disparaging announcements on Twitter. Then as the agitators gather, the fisticuffs begin.
These students also dislike gun owners and anything having to do with the free exercise of our constitutionally guaranteed rights. Iowa State’s fun-loving Democratic Socialists recently retweeted an image that said, “The NRA is a domestic terror organization.” This is the safe space of hard-core leftist agitators: They do not hesitate to project their own vile behavior onto anyone and everyone, but specifically the NRA.
NRA members aren’t setting cars on fire and blocking entrances if a conservative speaker dares to schedule an event on campus. Instead, it is the leftists, progressives, socialists and their ilk who dress in black, commandeering the streets to mix it up with the police and other students who wish to hear a different viewpoint presented.
Calling for the death of President Trump isn’t enough for the YDSA; the group also agrees with the viewpoint of another Twitter user who noted that gun stocks and sales go up when there is a mass shooting: “1 of the sickest aspects of capitalism generally & the gun market is how good it is for Glock when ppl get murdered.” This tweet completely misses the fact that it is the constant drumbeat of gun control and confiscation that sometimes drives those sales.
Look, it is no surprise that people with these views exist or have the stones to tweet this garbage. What is worthy of our disdain and active reaction is the fact that these students are permitted to hold these views without proper rebuttal by their higher education system. Exactly what are their parents paying Iowa State University for? Certainly not this.
Aside from the YDSA’s tweets about the goodness of candy corn, there is nothing of a redeeming nature about the group’s discourse. There is, however, much to fear. When idiocy is left to rage on unabated there will be negative consequences to bear in the future. These students will go out into the world totally unprepared for the harsh realities of the modern workplace. But they will always have their hatred of the Second Amendment, embarrassing Twitter feed and student loans to nurse them through unemployment.
Thanks Iowa State!
Stacy Washington is a decorated Air Force veteran, Emmy-nominated TV personality and host of nationally syndicated radio program “Stacy on the Right,” based in St. Louis. She loves God and guns, and is a member of the NRA.
