Terrorism is defined as "the unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims." Therefore, when an individual plows his car into a crowd of people protesting the "Unite The Right" rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, with the intention of causing harm and intimidating these protesters because of his political standing, he becomes a terrorist. James Alex Fields, the man who killed a woman and wounded 19 others by slamming his Dodger into a crowd of counter-protesters is a terrorist, no more, no less.
Yet, the usual outcry from the right is not present with the same passion this time. A few like, surprisingly, Ted Cruz, had the good sense to call this what it was: an act of terrorism, but the rest are shockingly silent. The same people that compared Syrian refugees to skittles in a bowl and called for Muslim bans and even more screening are not saying much this time. Maybe there should be a better vetting process for white men- let's ban white men, or maybe have them all wear badges? We could bug their churches, ask the other white Christian men to report it to authorities if they think their family or friends are becoming radicalized.
President Donald Trump, the same man that constantly criticized his predecessor, former President Obama, for failing to call terrorist attacks 'Radical Islamic Terrorism' had this to say yesterday about the events that transpired in Charlottesville:
"We condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence on many sides, on many sides. It's been going on for a long time in our country. Not Donald Trump, not Barack Obama, this has been going on for a long, long time. It has no place in America. What is vital now is a swift restoration of law and order and the protection of innocent lives. No citizen should ever fear for their safety and security in our society. And no child should ever be afraid to go outside and play or be with their parents and have a good time.
I just got off the phone with the governor of Virginia, Terry McAuliffe, and we agree that the hate and the division must stop, and must stop right now. We have to come together as Americans with love for our nation and true affection-- really, I say this so strongly, true affection for each other. Our country is doing very well in so many ways. We have record -- just absolute record employment. We have unemployment the lowest it's been in almost 17 years. We have companies pouring into our country, Foxconn and car companies and so many others. They're coming back to our country. We're renegotiating trade deals to make them great for our country and great for the American worker.
We have so many incredible things happening in our country, so when I watch Charlottesville, to me it's very, very sad. I want to salute the great work of the state and local police in Virginia. Incredible people…”
The man who repeatedly called for Obama to call terrorism ‘Radical Islamic Terrorism’ refused to call the actions of Fields simply terrorism, let alone ‘Radical Caucasian Terrorism.’ In fact, he refused to even address the white supremacists, the Nazis or the KKK; he never mentioned them by name or openly condemned them when just the same morning David Duke, the leader of the KKK made this statement:
“This represents a turning point for the people of this country. We are determined to take our country back. We are going to fulfill the promises of Donald Trump. That’s what we believed in, that’s why we voted for Donald Trump. Because he said he’s going to take our country back. That’s what we gotta do.”
Trump did not condemn his words or disassociate himself with these groups, which fall under his voter demographic. In fact, he spun off in a completely different direction, praising himself and all that he has ‘accomplished’ as President. It really says something about the President of the United States when he is tougher on Rosie O'Donnell and Mitch McConnell than he is on White Supremacists and the KKK.
He even seems to go as far as to equate the racists, xenophobes and anti-Semites with those there to protest them, by saying that the hatred, bigotry and violence is taking place ‘on many sides,’ making a vague statement even more vague.
The events that transpired in Charlottesville were inhumane, disgusting and tragic. America in the year 2017 simply has no place for this kind of racism, bigotry and hatred. If there was ever a time for the president to pick a side this is it; he cannot ride the fence with vague press conferences and empty rhetoric. The best course of action would be for the president to authorize his attorney general to investigate the hate crimes that took place over the weekend and to act on this kind of hatred and violence. By doing nothing he is sending the message to the entire nation that this is acceptable, the same way he invoked and empowered these same groups with the rhetoric he employed during his campaign.