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Comment by objclxt | Hacker News Reader

> Why are the anti-Trump people chanting in Spanish and waving Mexican flags? Trump frightens me, but his enemies are quite clearly not my friends.

You're frightened by people speaking Spanish waving Mexican flags?

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No, fear is your invention here. I speak Spanish. It doesn't make these protests any less nonsensical. They want to be able to remain in the country illegally so they can do what exactly? Be Mexican nationalists? There's a great place to do that already.

You are assuming that the protesters are only reacting against Trump's promises to crack down on illegal immigrants. Some of them might be, but I think they are reacting against a heck of a lot more than some political candidate promising to better enforce existing laws. I can think of all sorts of things Trump has said that might anger Hispanics or (legal) Mexican immigrants.

There are also a lot of people protesting Trump for all the wrong reasons, or in ways that make Trump look like the grown-up in comparison. It's hard not to have at least some sympathy for him in those situations. Still, I try to judge people by their own statements and actions, not the statements and actions of the worst of their detractors.

I find it hilarious that "beating people up" somehow got missing from the quote in you post.

Yes, I am frightened by people attacking political rallies, especially when waving other country's flags. What is so strange to it?

Try to get out of your USA bubble of thought. I live in Poland. Let's say there is a presidential candidate, who dislikes Russia and is in favor of tighter integration with EU and stronger defense on east border. Now imagine that his supporters are attacked on rallies by people waving Russian flags, chanting "Russia" or "Putin". Why wouldn't you be afraid of them? I would want them out of my country.

We can spin it some other way too. For example suppose that after Snowden revelations (top European politics' phones tapped by NSA) Angela Merkel says she won't have any more of this USA bullshit, but her supporters are attacked on a rally by Americans chanting "USA USA USA" (or "NSA NSA NSA") under American flag. Still cool for you?

I added that to my comment a moment after submitting because it was important. Parent was probably already reading/replying at that time.

You conveniently left 'beating people up' out of that quote.

Chant, sure. Wave Mexican flags, no problem. Beat people with rock sacks and throw eggs at them 'because they were asking for it'. Yeah, nuh-uh, not for me thanks. That's where it crosses the line in to scary.

I added that to my comment a moment after submitting because it was important. Parent was probably already reading/replying at that time.

Thanks for the clarification.

When those people are pro "reconquista" or saying Make California Mexico Again, maybe. But I'm afraid of what it says about a growing part of the population that thinks it's good or OK. I think it shows a terrible divide forming. Maybe the melting pot has cooled off and we're getting chunky.

Wave a US flag around Central America and see how that goes. I've been threatened down here several times because someone thought I was American.

> Wave a US flag around Central America and see how that goes.

Giving US track record of invasions, dictatorship support, and all kinds of meddling, what are you expecting? A kiss on the cheek?

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