It seems more and more Republicans are finding reasons not to attend this year’s Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio. Some of those not attending, at least, are honest about it, like the former Republican nominee, Mitt Romney.
Romney has made it clear he does not like Trump very much. Mitt Romney has called Trump a “phony” and a “fraud,” whose promises are “worthless.” His plan is to stay as far away from Cleveland as possible.
Then there are those weak-kneed Republicans who instead have come up with a variety of excuses: They’re too busy running their own campaigns, they’d rather watch on television, or they have previous engagements scheduled.
But hardly any GOP member has dared mention the 800-pound gorilla in the room: the real potential for violence.
As the convention approaches (July 18-21), several security experts, convention attendees and even the prospective protesters fear the convention site, Quicken Loans Arena, could erupt into violence reminiscent of the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago, where an estimated 10,000 protesters showed up to oppose the Vietnam War. Confrontations between police and protesters broke out that left hundreds injured and resulted in nearly 600 arrests.
What none of these security experts want to admit, however, is if violence were to break out in Cleveland, look for the results to be much worse than those of 1968.
Ohio is an open carry state. While guns will be prohibited inside the convention hall, they will be perfectly legal outside the arena.
Trump has talked about “Second Amendment” rights at his rallies.
“We’re going to win with our Second Amendment!” said Trump at a Phoenix, Arizona rally in March. “We’re gonna win big league with our Second Amendment!”
With the recent fatal police shootings of two African-Americans and the ensuing ambush by a sniper in Dallas, Texas that left five police officers killed and another seven wounded, emotions are raw on all sides.
John Born, Ohio’s public safety director, said federal, state and local authorities have been working together on thorough preparations. “I will tell you that we try to do everything we possibly can to prepare for any potential action that can occur.”
One wonders how prepared security personnel will be if a bunch of gun-toting, angry protesters start resorting to their “Second Amendment” remedies?
Mowing the lawn, Sen. Jeff Flake, sounds like a great idea!
Photo | thehollywoodinterview.blogspot.com
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