Ignore Don't Roar

 Demonstrations are not invitations to war. They are made up of people who express, along with others of the same vein, their beliefs. When they are officially granted permission to do so, those with opposite opinions who appear to come and "roar" at those who have opposing views to their own are offensive. And it can turn into violence when tempers between people who feel offended by the demonstration act out. Instead of parlay, they strike out. It can turn into dangerous confrontations and police must try to restore order. The police don't take sides. They do their jobs, very difficult ones, to separate those engaged in acts of violence. They are trained to do this difficult job in dealing with persons who take their opinions beyond reason and right. We all have personal opinions, some very strong, but most of us, while maintaining the right to our individual ideas,  know,  that in this country, we respect, or should, those opinions of others. Why do some citizens appear and cause trouble by disrespecting the rights of citizens? If they have legal permission to organize and demonstrate within rightful boundaries, what harm can it do? Physically attacking demonstrators, does not change anything, certainly not anyone's mind,  and while it feeds the media that it loves this kind of show, it does nothing to change the opinions of opposing believers. Just as we do with children who are having temper tantrums, why not  simply ignore what we don't believe ?Why not stay away and ignore?  Your presence could be affirmation to those whose ideas are not yours. It seems there is confusion in the minds of factions that organize against those who legally demonstrate. They are not on the side of democracy. They want only their own opinions forced.   There are some human beings who enjoy forcing their opinions on others. It's party time for them. In this country, that's not done. We have many freedoms to savor. We need to allow others, their rights.  In a democratic realm, there is a place for all within what our law makers deem to be the norm. A norm doesn't mean "normal" because that's judgemental. The "norm" is what the polled average person adheres to,  and it is simply a kind of ruler of the times, with numbers ranging on it. That's all. The norm can change, but it can't be forced. It is an societal observation, not a law. In places in the world where the  government is not democratic, the norm is forced, so that it will become a norm. When this happens, there is strong opposition. The norm then, goes berserk and is unreliable. Violence can occur.  Here, we are fortunate. We elect our government. If we disagree, we may demonstrate within legal bounds. One of the benefits of a democratic environment, is that peace can be maintained by allowing those at either ends of the political spectrum to express their opinions in the form of demonstrations. They are meant to be peaceful means of showing others why and what some feel about their conditions. That is the right in democracies. To invade with force and violence, anger and chaos, those  who are merely presenting their ideas, is not responsible in our democracy. If one doesn't agree, one should focus on its own beliefs, allowing others, even in opposition, to have their say. Appearing and  physically out-shouting, shoving and striking at those who have the legal right to be there, is just plain irresponsible and disrespectful of other citizens. And certainly is undemocratic. Allow democracy. Stay away; ignore; don't roar.