The normalization of threat, intimidation, and violence in our culture and politics should be a matter of grave concern to tens of millions of democratic minded Americans. It is a growing danger, galloping across our country at this very moment.

Driving (and legitimizing) this spike and spread of violence to intimidate opponents and settle political conflicts is a powerful right wing, racist, amoral authoritarian party and movement. If they can, Trump and gang would like nothing better than, to paraphrase Clausewitz’s famous words, turn violence into merely the continuation of politics by other means.

Like any cancer, it must be resisted – and resistance can take many forms, not least at the ballot box. Otherwise it will only get worse and become a springboard to what at one time was an unimaginable future for our country.