Republican Tom Cotton Suggests Pro-Palestinian Protesters Would Be Thrown Off Bridge in Home State

[Coyote Starrk]

Amid protests on the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco over the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, Republican Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas suggested on Monday that if protesters were in his home state they would have been tossed off the bridge by others.

On October 7, Hamas led the deadliest Palestinian attack on Israel in history. Israel subsequently launched its heaviest airstrikes against Gaza. As of Monday, at least 1,200 people have been killed in Israel, the Associated Press reported, citing the Israeli government. More than 33,700 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, AP said.

.....

On Monday morning, activists protesting the war and calling for a ceasefire shut down Highway 101 on the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California, halting the commute into the city and resulting in multiple arrests.

.....

"If something like this happened in Arkansas on a bridge there, let's just say that there would be a lot of wet criminals that would have been tossed overboard, not by law enforcement, but by the people whose road they are blocking," Cotton said.

Cotton continues to stress that there needs to be an end to the protesters as he encourages others to "take matters into their own hands."

"I think that's the way we would handle it in Arkansas and I would encourage most people anywhere that get stuck behind criminals like this who are trying to block traffic to take matters into their own hands...it's time to put an end to this nonsense," Cotton added.

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Republican suggests protesters would be thrown off bridge in home state

Following several protests in California calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, Senator Tom Cotton criticizes protesters.

www.newsweek.com

Normally I would call this "Saying the quiet part out loud", but this PoS seems to be shouting it. Republicans are openly advocating for violence against protesters. In this case it's Pro-Palestinian protests, but the way he phrases it he clearly directs this towards any protestors that gets in people's way.

 

[kcp12304]

He's the same guy who wrote the "Send the Troops In," NTY Op-ED

 

[L Thammy]

Are people regularly thrown of the Golden Gate Bridge? Is that an everyday thing?

 

[Coyote Starrk]

He's the same guy who wrote the "Send the Troops In," NTY Op-ED

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I remember. The guy is among the worst of the Republicans. And that's saying something.

 

[LegendofJoe]

A fascist advocating for violence, what a surprise.

 

[Gernau Morat Gurgeh]

American ISIS

 

[Dyle]

He sucks but this is how all road-blocking protests are perceived. There's a reason it's widely regarded as a counterproductive action. It's surprising how relatively few people end up dead doing this

 

[super-famicom]

Fuck this guy

 

[TaySan]

Fuck this pos

 

[Coyote Starrk]

He sucks but this is how all road-blocking protests are perceived. There's a reason it's widely regarded as a counterproductive action. It's surprising how relatively few people end up dead doing this

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Yeah I've never been a fan of blocking roads for protests. It targets the wrong people and puts the protestors in serious danger. Depending on where you are there is decent chance you will simply be assaulted or ran over.

 

[Cousin From Boston]

Tough talk from a string bean.

 

[Charpunk]

Tom Cotton says dumb evil shit? Must be a day that ends in Y.

 

[Infernostew]

Are people regularly thrown of the Golden Gate Bridge? Is that an everyday thing?

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What? No! He's essentially advocating for protesters to be murdered since the Golden Gate Bridge is (or at one time was) the world's most popular suicide destination. Not too many people have survived a fall from it.

 

[Two Peppers]

They wouldn't be wet, the Golden Gate has suicide-prevention nets. Because if you fall from that height into the water you're going to die, not just be wet.

 

[PumpkinPieAddict]

He's just A/B testing his next NY piece.

 

[j7vikes]

Yeah I've never been a fan of blocking roads for protests. It targets the wrong people and puts the protestors in serious danger. Depending on where you are there is decent chance you will simply be assaulted or ran over.

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It also keeps emergency vehicles like ambulances from being able to get to hospitals which puts lives in danger.

I could definitely be for throwing Tom Cotton off a bridge in protest

 

[Coyote Starrk]

It also keeps emergency vehicles like ambulances from being able to get to hospitals which puts lives in danger.

I could definitely be for throwing Tom Cotton off a bridge in protest

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That's definitely another serious problem to consider.


And I'll help you throw him. Together we can get him some hang time.

 

[onpoint]

Hey... Tom.

Come closer.

No no, I need you to lean in, so you can really hear this.

Alright, ready?

Go to hell you absolute ghoul.

 

[Khanimus]

Take a bath with your toaster, you fascist fuck

 

[Sobriquet]

"criminals"

 

[ap_2]

This guy imagines himself as the vanguard of American fascism but he's just another toad that no one likes. A blustering functionary and nothing more. Ted Cruz in jackboots.

 

[Doomguy Fieri]

Tom Cotton is a smart guy who graduated from Harvard then joined the military and worked hard to get himself into combat situations because he truly believes America has a responsibility to control the world, through violence if necessary. There's a lot of grifters on the right but he's not one of them. I very much believe Tom Cotton would kill someone, or would enact laws with death sentence penalties, if it advanced his idea of American exceptionalism. Genuine psycho, scary dude.

 

[Lilly-Anne]

It also keeps emergency vehicles like ambulances from being able to get to hospitals which puts lives in danger.

I could definitely be for throwing Tom Cotton off a bridge in protest

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People still fall for this myth? https://bylinetimes.com/2022/10/26/the-myth-of-the-blocked-ambulance/

 

[LordFlash]

Genuinely wonder how some people in this thread would have viewed Gandhi or MLK's protests. Cause road blocking is pretty mild.

Not surprised that psycho fascists start braying for blood at this because we have self proclaimed liberals that go "yes that is extreme but you shouldnt do anything that causes inconvenience to people".

What do people think effective protests are? Standing in a deserted corner holding a sign? Tweets? Signing a petition?

 

[thesoapster]

...and I would encourage most people anywhere that get stuck behind criminals like this who are trying to block traffic to take matters into their own hands...

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Wild, dangerous rhetoric.

 

[mbpm]

Genuinely wonder how some people in this thread would have viewed Gandhi or MLK's protests. Cause road blocking is pretty mild.

Not surprised that psycho fascists start braying for blood at this because we have self proclaimed liberals that go "yes that is extreme but you shouldnt do anything that causes inconvenience to people".

What do people think effective protests are? Standing in a deserted corner holding a sign? Tweets? Signing a petition?

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Tbh you see it in a lot of threads here about protests that aren't marches at this point unfortunately

 

[Eferim]

Genuinely wonder how some people in this thread would have viewed Gandhi or MLK's protests. Cause road blocking is pretty mild.

Not surprised that psycho fascists start braying for blood at this because we have self proclaimed liberals that go "yes that is extreme but you shouldnt do anything that causes inconvenience to people".

What do people think effective protests are? Standing in a deserted corner holding a sign? Tweets? Signing a petition?

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I only consider a protest legitimate if I'm completely unaware of it.

 

[Scuffed]

I remember when our trusted and reliable NY Times published this beauty of an Oped written by this miserable fuck during the BLM protests.

NYTimes: Tom Cotton: Send In the Troops

Some elites have excused this orgy of violence in the spirit of radical chic, calling it an understandable response to the wrongful death of George Floyd. Those excuses are built on a revolting moral equivalence of rioters and looters to peaceful, law-abiding protesters. A majority who seek to protest peacefully shouldn't be confused with bands of miscreants.

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These rioters, if not subdued, not only will destroy the livelihoods of law-abiding citizens but will also take more innocent lives. Many poor communities that still bear scars from past upheavals will be set back still further.

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[j7vikes]

People still fall for this myth? https://bylinetimes.com/2022/10/26/the-myth-of-the-blocked-ambulance/

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Thanks for the link I was not aware.

 

[Dyle]

Genuinely wonder how some people in this thread would have viewed Gandhi or MLK's protests. Cause road blocking is pretty mild.

Not surprised that psycho fascists start braying for blood at this because we have self proclaimed liberals that go "yes that is extreme but you shouldnt do anything that causes inconvenience to people".

What do people think effective protests are? Standing in a deserted corner holding a sign? Tweets? Signing a petition?

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MLK did not support just blocking streets. Marching? Yes. Just blocking a road? No

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2022/02/26/history-tying-up-traffic-civil-rights-00011825

 

[meowdi gras]

SCOTUS would probably be cool with that, too.

 

[GCQ]

American ISIS

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Y'all Qaeda.

 

[Jakisthe]

People still fall for this myth? https://bylinetimes.com/2022/10/26/the-myth-of-the-blocked-ambulance/

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All this says is "no it doesn't", and then spends the vast majority of the article discussing political situations unique to the UK and general moral philosophy. Sure, it's conceivable, and maybe common, that it doesn't slow things down that much. It's also conceivable that in some cases it has slowed things down considerably. Like, say, on a bridge.

 

[Coyote Starrk]

Genuinely wonder how some people in this thread would have viewed Gandhi or MLK's protests. Cause road blocking is pretty mild.

Not surprised that psycho fascists start braying for blood at this because we have self proclaimed liberals that go "yes that is extreme but you shouldnt do anything that causes inconvenience to people".

What do people think effective protests are? Standing in a deserted corner holding a sign? Tweets? Signing a petition?

Click to shrink...

Blocking roads is not an effective protest. It's counterproductive, dangerous, and can cause serious issues for innocent people who have nothing to do with what you're protesting. Delaying emergency vehicles being one of the major ones as it was mentioned earlier.


Obviously not agreeing with what that dip shit said about throwing anyone off a bridge, but it's just not a form of a protest that I personally agree with.

 

[Lilly-Anne]

All this says is "no it doesn't", and then spends the vast majority of the article discussing political situations unique to the UK and general moral philosophy. Sure, it's conceivable, and maybe common, that it doesn't slow things down that much. It's also conceivable that in some cases it has slowed things down considerably. Like, say, on a bridge.

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I mean, its based on FOIA requests showing that there wasnt a single recorded incident of this happening at the time across an entire country. Its not a realistic concern.

 

[mael]

It also keeps emergency vehicles like ambulances from being able to get to hospitals which puts lives in danger.

I could definitely be for throwing Tom Cotton off a bridge in protest

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Oh no! Not Nana Ruth again!

 

[Jakisthe]

I mean, its based on FOIA requests showing that there wasnt a single recorded incident of this happening at the time across an entire country. Its not a realistic concern.

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In one country, for one type of protest, and I'd have to think at what level of traffic qualifies as a "transport delay" registered into a system in the UK. I mean, I can find research on how traffic congestion slows ambulances. Is this not traffic congestion? How does that factor into this?

 

[Kschreck]

I'm so fucking tired of politicians and rich institutions with businesses dealings in Israel trying to force Americans into supporting genocide. Sick fucking people. Trying to force us all I to supporting this evil shit. Fuck all these people.

 

[Coyote Starrk]

I mean, its based on FOIA requests showing that there wasnt a single recorded incident of this happening at the time across an entire country. Its not a realistic concern.

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If you keep blocking a bridge or a highway you will eventually have a case where an emergency vehicle gets blocked. The consequences of that can be dire and the people who suffer as a result would have done nothing wrong in relation to whatever you're protesting. Nobody stuck in their car in a protest like that is going to thank you or support your cause. The businesses who don't have there workers there on time for regular operations is not going to support your cause either. Sure you get attention for your cause, but you have also just turned a whole lot of local people against you.


Putting yourself in danger, putting other people at risk, and pissing a whole lot of people off is not the best form of protest. The time and energy would be better spent taking the fight directly to those who can do real change in relation to your cause. Not everyday people who are just trying to get through the day.

 

[Lilly-Anne]

In one country, for one type of protest, and I'd have to think at what level of traffic qualifies as the sort of thing registered into a system in the UK.

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I mean, if you want an American example, there doesnt seem to be any compelling evidence of it happening during the George Floyd protests either despite their sheer size and regularlity

 

[geardo]

He also said on tv that the 101st airborne division specifically should be let loose on protestors. Guy is fucked in the head.

 

[Kraid]

Tom Cotton is a fascist shithead. A true believer.

 

[Goldbob]

Horrific take and the people assaulting the protestors should be arrested, but I feel like if you're going to do this type of protest you should make sure you're jacked/heavy enough that you can't be easily moved out of the way with one hand by a gravy seal.

 

[Scuffed]

MLK did not support just blocking streets. Marching? Yes. Just blocking a road? No

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2022/02/26/history-tying-up-traffic-civil-rights-00011825

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The problem with this article is I think it's main goal was to push back on covidiots but it did so in the wrong way imo. It should have challenged the absurdity of the cause rather than saying that MLK never blocked streets. He said he was against it but some of his marches did do that and that was totally fine imo.

MLK Would Never Shut Down a Freeway, and 6 Other Myths About the Civil Rights Movement and Black Lives Matter

On Saturday, as protests mounted across the country following the police killings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed explained the large police presence at downtown protests to reporters: “Dr. King would never take a freeway.”

www.theroot.com

On Saturday, as protests mounted across the country following the police killings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed explained the large police presence at downtown protests to reporters: "Dr. King would never take a freeway."

Reed's claim was historically absurd. Martin Luther King Jr. took many a highway—most famously, perhaps, in the Selma-to-Montgomery march.

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Tom Cotton would absolutely say that some of MLKs marches blocked roads. It's just not an absolute thing and has to been assessed on a case by case imo. Cotton would think 3 people on the street was blocking traffic if he didn't agree with the cause. There are varying degrees of such action and not a one size fits all conclusion.

 

[Jakisthe]

I mean, if you want an American example, there doesnt seem to be any compelling evidence of it happening during the George Floyd protests either despite their sheer size and regularlity

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Well, there's compelling research showing that traffic slows ambulances. This causes traffic. Ergo, this slows ambulances, regardless of whether it causes a specific box to be checked (a box which I doubt exists since "patient death: protest" isn't going to be part of their forms).

 

[Soda]

Yeah I've never been a fan of blocking roads for protests. It targets the wrong people and puts the protestors in serious danger. Depending on where you are there is decent chance you will simply be assaulted or ran over.

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My infant had a severe allergic reaction to food on more than one occasion as we were still understanding his allergies. I had to drive him to the ER one of those times and the thought crossed my mind that if I got blocked by protestors like this and they wouldn't let me through despite the situation, I would not want to have to choose between saving my son's life or sparing protestor's lives.

To clarify, the implication was I'd physically move the protestors myself, not run them over with my car, even if they condemned my infant to death by not letting us seek medical attention. My hunch is, in this extreme example, they'd willingly move out of the way.

 

[Lilly-Anne]

Well, there's compelling research showing that traffic slows ambulances. This causes traffic. Ergo, this slows ambulances, regardless of whether it causes a specific box to be checked (a box which I doubt exists since "patient death: protest" isn't going to be part of their forms).

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Thats a great argument for taking measures to reduce traffic and car ownership to the minimim possible, not for not allowing a protest. By this metric, people driving on the road are responsible for a lot more death and delays than any protest would ever be.

 

[Top NHST Product]

As someone who has blocked a road during a protest before, the police literally begin escorting you, are in radio contact with others and will ask you to let vehicles through.

Had it happen not even for an ambulance but someone saying they really needed to get home to their kid.

 

[mbpm]

Well, there's compelling research showing that traffic slows ambulances. This causes traffic. Ergo, this slows ambulances, regardless of whether it causes a specific box to be checked (a box which I doubt exists since "patient death: protest" isn't going to be part of their forms).

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traffic is still allowed though

 

[Coyote Starrk]

As someone who has blocked a road during a protest before, the police literally begin escorting you, are in radio contact with others and will ask you to let vehicles through.

Had it happen not even for an ambulance but someone saying they really needed to get home to their kid.

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That's assuming the local police are actually doing their jobs and cooperating with the protesters involved. It also assumes the protesters are willing to let people pass and are not trying to do a full blockade of the route.


That is obviously not always going to happen.