What is the best way to deal with left wing violence?

[EnglishPete]

Over the past few days we've seen yet more examples of left wing violence in the US with the Inauguration Day riot in DC and the riot outside the Milo Yiannopoulos talk in Seattle. What is the most effective way to deal with the problem? Is it to take a hard line 'zero tolerance' approach, strong policing with severe punishments handed out by the courts? Or is a softly softly approach more effective, where these measures are not taken and the police stand back and allow the leftists to blow off steam?

My own view is that firm policing and prosecution of this sort of crime is far more effective than the softy softy approach in reducing the problem of left wing violence, that the latter approach has, far from letting violent leftists simply blow off stream, has emboldened them to to engage in more and more criminal behaviour.

What do other people think is the most effective solution?

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Please dude, stop it with your alternative facts.  Libs hold hands and sing Kumbaya, not trash limos, Starbucks, and set sh**t on fire. 

[Bojack Horseman]

Right wing violence:





Left wing violence:



(Edited to fix overly wide image - TF)

[Hermit For Peace]

The best way to deal with left wing violence is for righties to act and think in smart ways, and not do such dumb things like wanting to legislate what happens to females bodies, or wanting to cut taxes for the rich, or wanting to pollute the environment with less regulations on businesses, for starters.

[President Johnson]

It doesn't matter whether violence comes from the right or left or anywhere else: It is inappropriate and we need law and order. But I'm all for massive nonviolent protests.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

There is none.  The Day of the Rope is at hand.

[Grumpier Than Thou]

Accept it?

[Associate Justice PiT]

     The perpetrators need to face the consequences for their actions. Violence, whether left-wing or right-wing, has no place in the political discourse and should be swiftly and sharply rebuked.

[EnglishPete]

The best way to deal with left wing violence is for righties to act and think in smart ways, and not do such dumb things like wanting to legislate what happens to females bodies, or wanting to cut taxes for the rich, or wanting to pollute the environment with less regulations on businesses, for starters.

Trouble is that lefties are never satisfied. Abjectly surrendering to them on some issues may seem like an easy way out, but that just emboldens them to make further demands.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

By the way, I wonder if the Secret Service had a chat with Madonna.  Even joking about blowing up the White House is a matter they don't find funny.

[Meclazine for Israel]

It comes down to a core issue.

Just because someone voted for Trump does not mean they agree with every word out of his mouth. Ask Paul Ryan.

So when violence is perpetrated against Trump supporters, it simply re-inforces Republican voters commitment to voting him into office.

[EnglishPete]

The best way to deal with left wing violence is for righties to act and think in smart ways, and not do such dumb things like wanting to legislate what happens to females bodies, or wanting to cut taxes for the rich, or wanting to pollute the environment with less regulations on businesses, for starters.

This, too, of course.

I think this constitutes clear evidence that hermit's suggestion won't work. AndrewCA is coming across here as being of a similar mindset to those who commit left wing political violence, although I've no idea if he has personally done this so I won't make accusations here. So, in essence the question is what is the most effective way for the authorities to deal with the problem of people who are very much like AndrewCA here. If he's suggesting a solution that suggests its an ineffective one.

[Cashew]

I am a moderate on this issue. Any out of state anarchist caught trying to ruin a protest or attacking people should face the guillotine, while if they are from area, they should be given the benefit of the doubt as they could have been having an organic protest that just got violent and mistakes happen.

[Hermit For Peace]

Just for the record, I was being facetious with my post.

Violence is violence and should be dealt with accordingly.

[Santander]

They should be given expedited trials and swiftly executed.

[Frodo]

Turn the other cheek. 

[publicunofficial]

Aim for the nose next time. A punch to the cheek is just the beginning.

[Person Man]

Fun answer: How did the Romanovs deal with it?

Actual answer: The way we deal with right wing violence. The punishment should be the same whether you fly into an abortion clinic, gay club, investment bank, or megachurch. It's as easy as that.

[pbrower2a]

Reject it as counter-productive. Avoid it because it could be set up by agents-provocateurs.

[dead0man]

discourage it, but when that doesn't work.....record it, report it, defend yourself if need be




It's a little disturbing how many otherwise regular people think it's perfectly ok to punch an old chubby dude in the back of the head like a coward. 

Of course nowhere near as cowardly as celebrating it on the internet.

[Bandit3 the Worker]

What left-wing violence?

[Sumner 1868]

EnglishPete, can you name a single death from these "rioters" you speak of?

[publicunofficial]

Love to see Republicans preach civility, respectfulness of others, and tolerance after rallying behind the very antithesis of those ideals for the past year.

[sentence deleted by Torie as advocating violence]

[MT Treasurer]

I know the posters here who are advocating for the murder of Trump supporters or Republicans in general are mostly just #edgy spoiled kids, but make no mistake: There's enough trash out there that wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger. These people are fine with torture and murder, as long as it's the "right guys" who get treated like this.

[Chief Justice Keef]

I know the posters here who are advocating for the murder of Trump supporters or Republicans in general are mostly just #edgy spoiled kids, but make no mistake: There's enough trash out there that wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger. These people are fine with torture and murder.

Meanwhile your party is ready to take away millions of Americans' healthcare, which could result in 43,000 people killed per year.

But yes, we're the murderous ones.