One of the blessings of liberty that Americans enjoy is the right to speak our minds. The First Amendment reads, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
That means Americans may write to, call or e-mail lawmakers or others in government. Or they may write letters to the editor, or attend peaceful rallies to support various causes, or just talk freely about their views on whatever issue they like.
There is, in short, ample opportunity to get one’s point across.
That makes it inexcusable that some instead try to force their views on others through violent actions.
A federal court in Los Angeles recently sentenced a Texas man to five years in prison for trying to destroy a condominium complex in California. The man conspired with another radical environmentalist to carry out the plot. The goal was to use a bomb filled with gasoline to burn down the complex, which was under construction. The plan failed because a timer on the bomb did not work properly, according to news accounts.
The radicals apparently believed the condos would harm the environment and that destroying them was preferable to allowing them to be built.
But what did they really achieve? They only made their movement — as well as environmentalists who do not commit violent acts — look bad, and they could have endangered firefighters’ lives.
Peaceful dissent is a hallmark of American liberties. Violent radicalism should be roundly condemned.