Morning Jolt: Stop Playing with Fire

On the menu today: how the country is paying the price for a long line of leaders and aspiring leaders who saw public anger as a force they believed they could control and manipulate; why Donald Trump won't give a unifying speech and has no particular desire to do so; and the protests ended the coronavirus lockdowns, but the risk is still out there.

The Anger of the Public Is a Fire, and You're Not Supposed to Play with It

Why do we teach kids not to play with matches?

Because if you're not careful and responsible, once you start a fire, it can be difficult to control. Every fire that ever burned out of control appeared to be under control, right up until the moment it obviously wasn't. Kids need to be taught to respect fire, to recognize its destructive power as well as its usefulness, and to use it only when they need it.

Everything said above applies to the metaphorical fire of anger in the public, and the power of an angry mob of people. In recent days, social media offered plenty of examples of people who supported the protests, perhaps even when they became violent, even when they warped into looting . . . right up until the ...

WITH JIM GERAGHTY June 02 2020 WITH JIM GERAGHTY June 02 2020 Stop Playing with Fire On the menu today: how the country is paying the price for a long line of leaders and aspiring leaders who saw public anger as a force they believed they could control and manipulate; why Donald Trump won't give a unifying speech and has no particular desire to do so; and the protests ended the coronavirus lockdowns, but the risk is still out there. The Anger of the Public Is a Fire, and You're Not Supposed to Play with It Why do we teach kids not to play with matches? Because if you're not careful and responsible, once you start a fire, it can be difficult to control. Every fire that ever burned out of control appeared to be under control, right up until the moment it obviously wasn't. Kids need to be taught to respect fire, to recognize its destructive power as well as its usefulness, and to use it only when they need it. Everything said above applies to the metaphorical fire of anger in the public, and the power of an angry mob of people. In recent days, social media offered plenty of examples of people who supported the protests, perhaps even when they became violent, even when they warped into looting . . . right up until the ...   READ MORE

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