Please understand, though, that if any of those John Brown folks fire at protesters objecting to drag queens or whatever, that bystanders, possibly children, will die or be injured. Just like on that sailboat. The answer to violent jerks like Proud Boys isn't more violence. Our civil society has not deteriorated to the point where that is necessary. As obnoxious as protests became all summer, no protesters shot people.

We need to reinforce that status quo, not weaken it.