Semantics, if they were persons of color we would instinctively side with them.
Agreed. Anything you can do (or not been able to have done) that can possibly be excused (or blamed) on your skin color, that is the name of the game.
People have seen burning of buildings, beatings, killings, mass destruction, shootings of cops, bullying of people in cars blocking them making them wonder when something is coming through the window, total and utter lawlessness in the name of "protesting", and they're sick of wondering if they will be next. The McCloskey's may have gone too far - specifically, they may get in trouble for felony brandishing. But hey, if liberal prosecutors have released thousands of arrested protestors, choosing not to prosecute them for political reasons, then I suppose we can let the McCloskey's off this once.
From an article about one woman's harrowing ordeal:
A woman called Tara Durant took her young daughter on errands downtown. As the two tried to drive home, a mob surrounded their vehicle and blocked it from moving. Several people jumped on Durant's car and screamed obscenities at her child. Terrified, Tara Durant called 911. And here's the response she got:
Tara Durant: They are on my car, alright? They are my car right now!
911 Dispatcher: But we would suggest you slowly drive through the area. Don't hit anyone with your vehicle.
Durant: I can't. I cannot get out of here, okay?
Dispatcher: Please be patient. I'll let the officers know, okay?
Durant: Are you serious? You guys have not --
Dispatcher: We can't do anything, ma'am. The city told us that this is a sanctioned event.
Durant: Get out of my car.! You know, this is going to get dangerous. I've got a kid here.
Dispatcher: Yes, ma'am. We would suggest you call up city hall to let them know about your frustrations.
Durant: Get out of the way! Get out of the way! This is getting scary. They're on my car! They're on my car! And I've got a little girl in the car crying. Are you kidding me?
"They're on my car! They are on my car!" "Ma'am," comes the reply. "We would suggest you call up city hall to let them know about your frustrations." Those are verbatim quotes. It's hard to listen to that tape without feeling emotional
The nice thing is that these bully mobs who are terrorizing neighborhoods have another 4-5 mo. to continue making complete a-holes of themselves. By then likely a lot of people will be sick of it. And the conversation may become balanced again.