Altercation at Winn-Dixie Parking Lot

[Love2Swim]

Ed McGinty, who is known as an anti-Trump protester, was physically attacked by one of the Trump supporters who hijacked the Blue Lives Matter parade, near Sumter Landing today. His picture was on Facebook, and showed him to be battered and bleeding. McGinty was on his way to his daily protest, and from the sounds of it was not at the actual parade. The attack took place near the Sumter Landing Winn Dixie.

This is outrageous and is a black stain on Florida's Friendliest Hometown. Whether you like his views or not, he certainly has a right to protest, and to face physical violence in this manner is just frightening. He has also received threatening letters. What is the matter with these people?

[Stu from NYC]

Hope the guy is caught and punished for the assault.

[Michael Charles]

I hope he's alright and not seriously injured.

[beachman46]

How do you know it was a guy..

[davem4616]

ya wanna be an activist ...this stuff is gonna happen

very sad that anyone was assaulted...however...no matter how flat the pancake is there is always two sides to it
....his behavior may have egged it on, no way of knowing...but just saying

if he got into someone's face, he's the one at fault...and would have escalated it...maybe he crossed the wrong person, someone
that had had a lousy breakfast and had gas and was in a bad mood to begin with....who knows for sure

no one knows what someone leaves behind when they leave the house

but I wasn't there and I'm not passing any judgment on anybody

all I can say is:

"well this is certainly a fine kettle of fish that we've gotten ourselves into Ollie, isn't it"

we are a nation divided....what should we think is going to happen when two zealots from opposite sides of the spectrum come head to head?

[kathyspear]

The rally did not meet or drive near the Winn Dixie. Sorry to hear he was attacked but it did not happen at the rally.

kathy

[IndianaJones]

Florida’s friendliest hometown strikes again!!

[davem4616]

I also hope that he's not seriously injured

however, he's taking a big risk putting himself out there...not everyone has self control...and hello booze plays a factor...
who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of mankind, or what triggered the person that attacked him

yes he has the right to do what he's been doing....however, there are unintended consequences to everything that we do...and the police can't be there always 'on the spot'

[gatherer47]

he was quoted as saying the man was possibly "Italian"-isn't that ethnic profiling ?

[ColdNoMore]

ya wanna be an activist ...this stuff is gonna happen

very sad that anyone was assaulted...however...no matter how flat the pancake is there is always two sides to it
....his behavior may have egged it on, no way of knowing...but just saying

if he got into someone's face, he's the one at fault...and would have escalated it...maybe he crossed the wrong person, someone that had had a lousy breakfast and had gas and was in a bad mood to begin with....who knows for sure

no one knows what someone leaves behind when they leave the house

but I wasn't there and I'm not passing any judgment on anybody

all I can say is:

"well this is certainly a fine kettle of fish that we've gotten ourselves into Ollie, isn't it"

we are a nation divided....what should we think is going to happen when two zealots from opposite sides of the spectrum come head to head?

"This stuff is gonna happen?" :oops:

In other words, if you disagree with someone and have signs showing such, or even have a screaming match, physical violence is inevitable...and warranted?

Wow...just wow. :ohdear:

As far as "not passing any judgment on anybody," methinks most of the post belies the fact...that is exactly what is occurring.



Gee, let's everyone start using our real names and while we're at it...let's add our addresses and phone #'s. :doh:

[ColdNoMore]

This is what the news story said that the victim reported to the police.

"The Village of Hadley resident said he was driving through the Winn-Dixie parking lot at Lake Sumter Landing when a man jumped out of his cart and confronted him.

He said the man, who he described as possibly Italian, about 5-foot-11-inches tall and heavy set, grabbed him by the throat and pulled him from his golf cart, which was sporting a sign..."

[cypress]

I guess things are starting to get real.

[Aces4]

This is what the news story said that the victim reported to the police.

"The Village of Hadley resident said he was driving through the Winn-Dixie parking lot at Lake Sumter Landing when a man jumped out of his cart and confronted him.

He said the man, who he described as possibly Italian, about 5-foot-11-inches tall and heavy set, grabbed him by the throat and pulled him from his golf cart, which was sporting a sign..."

The complaintant wasn’t going to report it but then thought he would get to the cops first in case the other guy claimed he was the attacker. That smells a little funny, do we have the entire story? Difficult to know at this point.

[beachman46]

Why does the guy look Italian.. Are we racial profiling..

[mamamia54]

Possibly Italian. Why, did he have dark hair, did he have a big nose, was he eating spaghetti and meatballs in front of Winn Dixie? Talk about profiling. All this craziness has caused a divide in the country that I pray can be repaired. The longer this goes on the worse it will get. Enough already!

[JoMar]

Ed's signs weren't inteded to provide dialogue, inform or work to any solution, they were intended to inflame and aggravate. When you do that sooner or later you put yourself in harms way.

[John41]

McGinty had a sign on his cart “Hang Him” obvious who he was referring to. Now he’s getting a taste of his own medicine. And free speech does not mean yelling “fire” in a theater which his inflammatory signs are doing. He should be arrested for inciting to riot.

[ColdNoMore]

Ed's signs weren't inteded to provide dialogue, inform or work to any solution, they were intended to inflame and aggravate. When you do that sooner or later you put yourself in harms way.

McGinty had a sign on his cart “Hang Him” obvious who he was referring to. Now he’s getting a taste of his own medicine. And free speech does not mean yelling “fire” in a theater which his inflammatory signs are doing. He should be arrested for inciting to riot.



Y'all surely can't...be serious?! :oops:

[Fredman]

Who didn’t know that sooner than later Ed McGinty’s hate wouldn’t result in an assault.

[Love2Swim]

Ed's signs weren't inteded to provide dialogue, inform or work to any solution, they were intended to inflame and aggravate. When you do that sooner or later you put yourself in harms way.

No one with signs or words should be the recipient of physical violence. No one. The person who attacked him was clearly a Villages thug. If you state some political view I don't agree with, or wave some sign around with words that do not meet my ethical standards, I have no right to punch you in the face. What normal people do when that happens is argue with the person, and if that gets them nowhere, they walk away.

[Love2Swim]

The complaintant wasn’t going to report it but then thought he would get to the cops first in case the other guy claimed he was the attacker. That smells a little funny, do we have the entire story? Difficult to know at this point.

He knows how people lie. Any person that is ignorant enough to punch a person who is peacefully protesting is clearly the type of person that would lie and try to get his cronies to dishonestly vouch for him.

[golfing eagles]

This is The Villages. Given today's climate, he's lucky he wasn't shot. There's no excuse for this behavior and the assailant should be prosecuted. No one SHOULD be assaulted for poor judgement. On the other hand, which one of us would consider walking into a BLM "protest" with a sign that states "the police are just doing their job", or "white lives matter"? I think we all know the result of that lapse in judgement as well.

[camaguey48]

How do you know it was a guy..
Right. Could have been his wife. If he has one.

[camaguey48]

Let's have a pity party for Ed.

[riley2011]

If the attacker had been armed it could have been a disaster for Ed. Don’t agree with him, not interested in seeing him but he has the right.

[riley2011]

How do you know it was a villager?

[coalminer]

Isn't it time for TV to put a foot down on all this political crap ? We need a permit to have a parade, but these groups have unauthorized parades without one. They disrupt traffic and cause hard feelings. This must stop before someone gets seriously injured

[hardwick2112@yahoo.com]

If it happened near Winn Dixie, there is a video. Get the police or store to release the video for ALL to see.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

This is The Villages. Given today's climate, he's lucky he wasn't shot. There's no excuse for this behavior and the assailant should be prosecuted. No one SHOULD be assaulted for poor judgement. On the other hand, which one of us would consider walking into a BLM "protest" with a sign that states "the police are just doing their job", or "white lives matter"? I think we all know the result of that lapse in judgement as well.

McGinty wasn't at any protest. He was out in front of the Winn Dixie, driving his golf cart.

[bowlingal]

keep doing what you are doing, Ed. We support you!

[DecaturFargo]

Read the story. McGinty did nothing wrong.

[Phpb2]

This is unfortunately a battlefield now.
Enemy combatants are going to suffer casualties!

[ColdNoMore]

Who didn’t know that sooner than later Ed McGinty’s hate wouldn’t result in an assault.

Ummm, I'll take a shot at answering that question...decent, stable, intelligent adults? :ohdear:

[Girlcopper]

The complaintant wasn’t going to report it but then thought he would get to the cops first in case the other guy claimed he was the attacker. That smells a little funny, do we have the entire story? Difficult to know at this point.
Obviously way more to the story.

[bd20166]

Great surveillance cams at Winn Dixie and in the parking lot. If something happened it will be recorded. Sumter County Sheriff's will investigate any crime thoroughly, if its reported.

If figure anyone riding about with inflammatory signage on their cart is "cruisin' for a bruisin'"

Too bad these situations end in violence. It takes two to play.

[ColdNoMore]

Great surveillance cams at Winn Dixie and in the parking lot. If something happened it will be recorded. Sumter County Sheriff's will investigate any crime thoroughly, if its reported.

If figure anyone riding about with inflammatory signage on their cart is "cruisin' for a bruisin'"

Too bad these situations end in violence. It takes two to play.

Patently untrue, but explains...a lot. :oops:

Your "right" to be offended from legal signs or protests, does NOT extend to a "right" to physically assault...the one offending you. :ohdear:

[Annie66]

Right. Could have been his wife. If he has one.

Oh please. This comment is ...... (you know what I am thinking, so I wont make a personal attack).

[jacksonbrown]

How do you know it was a villager?

Exactly, but what I find interesting is that this comment doesn't appear until half-way through this thread.

[pooderpask]

The rally did not meet or drive near the Winn Dixie. Sorry to hear he was attacked but it did not happen at the rally.

[bmit16]

Sounds like a Jessie Smollett case.

[golden]

Martin Luther King peacefully led protests about civil rights. There were protests against the Vietnam War, mostly peaceful. What cause is McGinty and others of his ilk protesting--the election of a President? What McGinty and others do is not protesting. They attend rallies and other events to agitate, confront, and practice hate speech with his signage. My advice to McGinty is to organize his own events consistent with HIS political beliefs, attend the meetings of the Democrat Club, and vote on November 3rd. McGinty was looking for trouble and he found it--any school kid knows that.

[graciegirl]

Ed's signs weren't inteded to provide dialogue, inform or work to any solution, they were intended to inflame and aggravate. When you do that sooner or later you put yourself in harms way.

Wondering the same.........I wonder if his injuries were self inflicted? I have not heard of anyone saying they saw this happen and it supposedly happened on a public venue. The picture shows three scratches straight down under his left ear and two bruises on his lips. The pictures are available on the online news.

I only say that because it appears to me by his very inflammatory signs and his aggressive stance that he is very interested in negative attention.

[txfan]

He certainly has the right to peacefully protest without threat of bodily harm to himself.

I would suggest maybe not display a sign that says “hang him,” though (?)

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I recently posted about political signs and what they do.

Mr McGinty certainly has every right to express his views but there is always a risk when doing so.

I'm not blaming Mr McGinty. I'm just saying that there are people out there that don't need much to provoke them to violence. Signs such as Mr McGinty and others have on their golf carts, cars and houses are all some people need.

Thank God that those people are few and far between among us.

[taruffi57]

McGinty keeps stirring the pot............

[golfing eagles]

Martin Luther King peacefully led protests about civil rights. There were protests against the Vietnam War, mostly peaceful. What cause is McGinty and others of his ilk protesting--the election of a President? What McGinty and others do is not protesting. They attend rallies and other events to agitate, confront, and practice hate speech with his signage. My advice to McGinty is to organize his own events consistent with HIS political beliefs, attend the meetings of the Democrat Club, and vote on November 3rd. McGinty was looking for trouble and he found it--any school kid knows that.


"Martin Luther King peacefully led protests about civil rights."

Except there was a major riot in just about every large city he visited about a week later. Bag man for the funding?????

"There were protests against the Vietnam War, mostly peaceful."

Kent State.

Again, the victim should NEVER have been assaulted, but in the real world one needs to be cognizant of the possible outcomes of a given action.

[Trynforpar]

Eventually some idiot decided that physical force will teach him to change his view. What he actually accomplished was to further his cause by inviting the media in from all around the country to brand us as thugs and him as the people’s hero.

[karostay]

McGinty wasn't at any protest. He was out in front of the Winn Dixie, driving his golf cart.

Can you substantiate that for us ?

[Joanne19335]

he was quoted as saying the man was possibly "Italian"-isn't that ethnic profiling ?

I am Italian. Whoever said that IS ethnic profiling—just as people who assume we’re all in the Mafia.

[karostay]

Ever mistakenly cut in front of someone here standing in line...Whow !
I could only imagine the confrontation

[Cranford61]

Life’s tough when you are a provocateur. Keep poking at a lion with a stick and you might, someday, get bit. Sniff, sniff!

[soniak4@gmail.com]

ya wanna be an activist ...this stuff is gonna happen

very sad that anyone was assaulted...however...no matter how flat the pancake is there is always two sides to it
....his behavior may have egged it on, no way of knowing...but just saying

if he got into someone's face, he's the one at fault...and would have escalated it...maybe he crossed the wrong person, someone
that had had a lousy breakfast and had gas and was in a bad mood to begin with....who knows for sure

no one knows what someone leaves behind when they leave the house

but I wasn't there and I'm not passing any judgment on anybody

all I can say is:

"well this is certainly a fine kettle of fish that we've gotten ourselves into Ollie, isn't it"

we are a nation divided....what should we think is going to happen when two zealots from opposite sides of the spectrum come head to head?

Let me guess...you probably also believe that a woman wearing a short, low cut dress is asking to be raped, right? Your response is ludicrous. Mr. McGinty was in his cart, driving through a parking lot. He has a right to put any sign he wants on his cart. He was stopped and attacked. Get real!!!

[CFrance]

The rally did not meet or drive near the Winn Dixie. Sorry to hear he was attacked but it did not happen at the rally.

kathy
That was stated by the OP.

[Guitarman1951]

Ed McGinty, who is known as an anti-Trump protester, was physically attacked by one of the Trump supporters who hijacked the Blue Lives Matter parade, near Sumter Landing today. His picture was on Facebook, and showed him to be battered and bleeding. McGinty was on his way to his daily protest, and from the sounds of it was not at the actual parade. The attack took place near the Sumter Landing Winn Dixie.

This is outrageous and is a black stain on Florida's Friendliest Hometown. Whether you like his views or not, he certainly has a right to protest, and to face physical violence in this manner is just frightening. He has also received threatening letters. What is the matter with these people?
The problem is that he isn't just protesting. He is purposely being very antagonistic with outrageous and absurd signs. He is encouraging confrontations. It would be fine if he or anyone else simply used signs to show who they support or even the "Dump Trump" kind of signs but when you put huge signs with extremely derogatory statements, you are asking for trouble.

[noslices1]

Didn’t this guy send himself threatening letters before? Maybe, he also beat himself up, just to make a point. Don’t trust him.

[GoodLife]

I suggest sympathizers for Mr McGinty go to Minneapolis, Baltimore, Chicago etc and drive around with a Blue Lives Matter sign and see how well your free speech rights are respected.

[New Englander]

Ed's signs weren't inteded to provide dialogue, inform or work to any solution, they were intended to inflame and aggravate. When you do that sooner or later you put yourself in harms way.

You are absolutely correct! He tries to provoke people. His signs are nasty.

[Kgcetm]

There are crazies among us, even in America’s Friendliest Hometown. 1st amendment notwithstanding, in this highly and overly charged political atmosphere one might consider toning down their personal distaste of the other person’s party.

[karostay]

You are absolutely correct! He tries to provoke people. His signs are nasty.

Nasty signs come from nasty minds

[Bill1701]

People were asked to not have any political signs on their carts for the parade. He did. Also, he was not attacked at the parade but in the Winn-Dixie parking lot. There is no proof that his attacker was even at the parade.

[dilosche]

How do you know it was a Trump supporter? Could have been an ex girl friend, current girl friend. What would cause someone to attack him? Or did he institute a fight? Perhaps this time his hate was focused on someone who was tired of his spewn hate.

[Singerlady]

Hope the guy is caught and punished for the assault.

They should have cameras......

[Fredster]

All I can think of after reading through this thread is that “Hate begets Hate”

[joseppe]

No one with signs or words should be the recipient of physical violence. No one. The person who attacked him was clearly a Villages thug. If you state some political view I don't agree with, or wave some sign around with words that do not meet my ethical standards, I have no right to punch you in the face. What normal people do when that happens is argue with the person, and if that gets them nowhere, they walk away.

Countries / factions / groups go to WAR over words or beliefs alone. If you're spouting something distasteful to others you should expect that something violent could happen.

[joseppe]

Patently untrue, but explains...a lot. :oops:

Your "right" to be offended from legal signs or protests, does NOT extend to a "right" to physically assault...the one offending you. :ohdear:

I don't see anyone saying the assailant was Right, only that the attack is not a surprise to anyone

[npwalters]

From the OP "Ed McGinty, who is known as an anti-Trump protester, was physically attacked by one of the Trump supporters who hijacked the Blue Lives Matter parade, near Sumter Landing today."

Absolutely do not condone physical assault on anyone expressing their opinion. Yet, how do you know it was "one of the Trump supporters who hijacked the Blue Lives Matter parade"? Perhaps your bias is coloring your account?

[Don5154]

Patently untrue, but explains...a lot. :oops:

Your "right" to be offended from legal signs or protests, does NOT extend to a "right" to physically assault...the one offending you. :ohdear:


Does anyone know who assaulted who first? Could it possibly be Ed made the first assault and got his butt kicked? I sure don’t know, but a lot of people here talk as if they saw what happen. I’ll hold off on my opinion until the police report is completed. As someone else said.....camera’s could tell a different story.

[Singerlady]

Wondering the same.........I wonder if his injuries were self inflicted? I have not heard of anyone saying they saw this happen and it supposedly happened on a public venue. The picture shows three scratches straight down under his left ear and two bruises on his lips. The pictures are available on the online news.

I only say that because it appears to me by his very inflammatory signs and his aggressive stance that he is very interested in negative attention.

I believe the article also said people intervened to help......can’t believe you would say that.

[Singerlady]

I am Italian. Whoever said that IS ethnic profiling—just as people who assume we’re all in the Mafia.

Agree. Perhaps he was in shock and trying to remember something to describe...perhaps.

[Eg_cruz]

Ed McGinty, who is known as an anti-Trump protester, was physically attacked by one of the Trump supporters who hijacked the Blue Lives Matter parade, near Sumter Landing today. His picture was on Facebook, and showed him to be battered and bleeding. McGinty was on his way to his daily protest, and from the sounds of it was not at the actual parade. The attack took place near the Sumter Landing Winn Dixie.

This is outrageous and is a black stain on Florida's Friendliest Hometown. Whether you like his views or not, he certainly has a right to protest, and to face physical violence in this manner is just frightening. He has also received threatening letters. What is the matter with these people?
I don’t condone violence at any level but when you say the things he says you’re asking for trouble. The mans mouth is a sewer

[tenorgirl]

"Martin Luther King peacefully led protests about civil rights."

Except there was a major riot in just about every large city he visited about a week later. Bag man for the funding?????

"There were protests against the Vietnam War, mostly peaceful."

Kent State.

Again, the victim should NEVER have been assaulted, but in the real world one needs to be cognizant of the possible outcomes of a given action.
MLK protests were peaceful-the riots happened AFTER he left. Most VietNam protests were peaceful-you must have missed that word as you mention one -1- that wasn’t. One is not a majority unless it was the only.

[SHNOK]

If it was in the Winn-Dixie parking lot, there likely would be witnesses. Has anyone reported witnessing this incident?

[Waltdisney4life]

Fake news!!

[jef5836]

Did not see any of this in the rally I participated in.

[JulieER]

On possible Italian - it was a DESCRIPTION. The police ask for one and you do the best you can. If the attacker is white, black, disabled, Chinese, male, female, Muslim, tall, short, Japanese, heavy set, thin, etc. - it is a DESCRIPTION. It is NOT racial profiling. Under the law, NO ONE has the right to put their hands on you whether you disagree with them or not, argue with them or not. This attacker lost control of himself instead of walking away from someone he didn’t like.

[UpNorth]

I'm surprised he didn't contact CNN first, for another 15 minutes of fame that he seems to crave so much.

[Eg_cruz]

Ed McGinty, who is known as an anti-Trump protester, was physically attacked by one of the Trump supporters who hijacked the Blue Lives Matter parade, near Sumter Landing today. His picture was on Facebook, and showed him to be battered and bleeding. McGinty was on his way to his daily protest, and from the sounds of it was not at the actual parade. The attack took place near the Sumter Landing Winn Dixie.

This is outrageous and is a black stain on Florida's Friendliest Hometown. Whether you like his views or not, he certainly has a right to protest, and to face physical violence in this manner is just frightening. He has also received threatening letters. What is the matter with these people?
How do you know it was a Trump supporter.....or are you assuming it was a Trump supporter because he’s so anti-trump? Seems to me you really don’t know the full FACTS at all.......this is how Fake News starts

[Astron]

Ed's signs weren't inteded to provide dialogue, inform or work to any solution, they were intended to inflame and aggravate. When you do that sooner or later you put yourself in harms way.

So much for America’s lauded freedom. To use of violence against people that you disagree with is the opposite of the ideals in the Bill of Rights, and are the actions of a terrorist not a patriot. I do not care if the signs are, “intended to inflame and aggravate”. To get in a fist fight over a political sign is just wrong.

[Joe C.]

The most effective way, and actually the quietest and peaceful way to voice your protest is at the ballot box.

Reading all these posts for and against McGinty and the assailant, it just shows how EVERYBODY HAS AN OPINION, and in it's own way, each post is actually a protest or show of support. It's just not "public" in the physical sense.

When you publicly protest with inflammatory signs, you might as well have a "hit me" sign on your back.

Did McGinty deserve to be attacked? Not really.
Do I feel bad for him? Not really.

[Heyitsrick]

MLK protests were peaceful-the riots happened AFTER he left. Most VietNam protests were peaceful-you must have missed that word as you mention one -1- that wasn’t. One is not a majority unless it was the only.

Interesting opinion - I guess you'd have to then agree that this logically extends to all who wear a police uniform too, right? I mean, given your point of view, we obviously can't label police as some kind of group that's "systemically" racist, correct? In the interests of being consistent, you certainly must hold the view that the acts of individuals don't reflect any/all who are part of the same organization.

By the way, that also holds for all residents of The Villages. I don't know what happened to this man, but it does seem clear that it was an individual who committed the assault. It wasn't a community, unlike what some here (not directed at you, personally) in the forum would like to portray. Yep, seemingly fewer and fewer care about individual responsibility any more. It's so much easier to just label a group and tarnish their collective names / reputations. It's a pretty pathetic exercise, but I'm seeing it more and more often.

[xNYer]

McGinty had a sign on his cart “Hang Him” obvious who he was referring to. Now he’s getting a taste of his own medicine. And free speech does not mean yelling “fire” in a theater which his inflammatory signs are doing. He should be arrested for inciting to riot.

Are you freakin kidding. You can assault someone because you don’t like his sign? You are justifying criminal behavior. Where is your respect for law and order.

[Joelack99]

Ed's signs weren't inteded to provide dialogue, inform or work to any solution, they were intended to inflame and aggravate. When you do that sooner or later you put yourself in harms way.

In my country you have the right to protest any body or anything without being put in harm’s way. In my country you do NOT have the right to physically assault anyone. In my country we respect each other and will fight to the death for them to respect their views, even if we disagree.
What the hell is happening to my country?

[kaniess]

No description of the attacker's golf cart. Only that he looks Italian. This smells like a false flag operation. Trump supporters did not hijack the support the police parade.

[ALadysMom]

Why do we all buy into the presimption that the incident was as it was reported, at all?

The motivations which cause strong emotions like angry outbursts are often not what they seem.

What if they had a previous altercation that carried over? It’s very common for tragic situations to be caused by domestic disputes, for example. Maybe there was a previous fight over where a dog pooped? That seems to infuriate a lot of Villagers a lot more than cart flair does. Just sayin.

[theruizs]

ya wanna be an activist ...this stuff is gonna happen

very sad that anyone was assaulted...however...no matter how flat the pancake is there is always two sides to it
....his behavior may have egged it on, no way of knowing...but just saying

if he got into someone's face, he's the one at fault...and would have escalated it...maybe he crossed the wrong person, someone
that had had a lousy breakfast and had gas and was in a bad mood to begin with....who knows for sure

no one knows what someone leaves behind when they leave the house

but I wasn't there and I'm not passing any judgment on anybody

all I can say is:

"well this is certainly a fine kettle of fish that we've gotten ourselves into Ollie, isn't it"

we are a nation divided....what should we think is going to happen when two zealots from opposite sides of the spectrum come head to head?
Not sure what you mean by “got into someone’s face” but words are never an excuse for violence. I understand that words can provoke, but the one who resorts to actual violence puts themselves in the wrong.

[ChickenDinner]

Is that how you would feel if it was you attached? Maybe the attacker had gas!

[karostay]

Suburbia culture infiltrates the Villages it was only a matter of time
Friendliest home town....Yea right

[Scorpyo]

This is The Villages. Given today's climate, he's lucky he wasn't shot. There's no excuse for this behavior and the assailant should be prosecuted. No one SHOULD be assaulted for poor judgement. On the other hand, which one of us would consider walking into a BLM "protest" with a sign that states "the police are just doing their job", or "white lives matter"? I think we all know the result of that lapse in judgement as well.
I agree - the assailant should be prosecuted. My only question is who was the assailant? I've heard a lot of speculation. Actually the first post should have started with "Allegedly" but I guess rush-to-judgement is the order of the day. I am, however, going to test your theory. Tonight I'm going to go down to metro Atlanta wearing my MAGA hat and Blue Lives Matter t-shirt. I'll let you know tomorrow how it all works out. I'm sure I'll get lots of complements.

[iht2209]

Similar to a tv personality we all know

[ALadysMom]

What? No video?

[Don5154]

Read the story. McGinty did nothing wrong.

And that’s McGinty’s side of the story.....camera’s will tell the complete story

[tophcfa]

The problem is that he isn't just protesting. He is purposely being very antagonistic with outrageous and absurd signs. He is encouraging confrontations. It would be fine if he or anyone else simply used signs to show who they support or even the "Dump Trump" kind of signs but when you put huge signs with extremely derogatory statements, you are asking for trouble.

If someone kicks a hornets nest enough times, eventually they are going to get stung.

[zonerboy]

I continue to be amazed at what people describe as “peaceful protesting” these days.

[ALadysMom]

Ed McGinty, who is known as an anti-Trump protester, was physically attacked by one of the Trump supporters who hijacked the Blue Lives Matter parade, near Sumter Landing today. His picture was on Facebook, and showed him to be battered and bleeding. McGinty was on his way to his daily protest, and from the sounds of it was not at the actual parade. The attack took place near the Sumter Landing Winn Dixie.

This is outrageous and is a black stain on Florida's Friendliest Hometown. Whether you like his views or not, he certainly has a right to protest, and to face physical violence in this manner is just frightening. He has also received threatening letters. What is the matter with these people?

This contains a lot of assumptions. may be the attacker was not from TV so McGinty’s political views were not “well-known” to him. No one has been CONVICTED so the perpetrator’s political affiliation (if he has any) should not be assumed either. The perpetrator may not have even been aware there was a BLM parade since others have said it was not in this area so perhaps he didn’t hijack the Blue Lives Matter parade...whatever that means.

Calling anything a “black stain” is ridiculously hypocritical for anyone purporting to care about racial equality.

This thread should be deleted since it is deeply flawed.

[collector0915]

Violence solves nothing. Let's show our views at the polls.

[wpersons35@yahoo.com]

This is totally horrible. People should be allowed to protest without fear of being attacked. Shame on whoever did this.

[LowOnCash]

Sort of funny - Trump supporters get beat up daily and no one reports it or cares, but when the other side gets beat up its headline news!

[GoodLife]

I am, however, going to test your theory. Tonight I'm going to go down to metro Atlanta wearing my MAGA hat and Blue Lives Matter t-shirt. I'll let you know tomorrow how it all works out. I'm sure I'll get lots of complements.

I said the same thing up thread. :coolsmiley:

[GOLFER54]

Maybe he beat himself up, to get sympathy.

[Taltarzac725]

I was at Winn-Dixie yesterday for Father's Day shopping for a london broil around 3:30 PM. They have very good meats there.

One thing. I am not sure all the parts of the Winn-Dixie parking lot have cameras on them. Would need more information on where in the parking lot this happened.

I did see a group of Democrats on Buena Vista Blvd when driving home. The Blue Life Matters parade had ended as I was driving home around 4:25 PM.

This quote is from the other site--

The Village of Hadley resident said he was driving through the Winn-Dixie parking lot at Lake Sumter Landing when a man jumped out of his cart and confronted him. He said the man, who he described as possibly Italian, about 5-foot-11-inches tall and heavy set, grabbed him by the throat and pulled him from his golf cart, which was sporting a sign that said, “Biden Will Kick Trump’s Fat Ass.” He said he reacted by punching the man in the nose and several other men jumped in and pulled them apart.

[GrayFox1]

Ed McGinty, who is known as an anti-Trump protester, was physically attacked by one of the Trump supporters who hijacked the Blue Lives Matter parade, near Sumter Landing today. His picture was on Facebook, and showed him to be battered and bleeding. McGinty was on his way to his daily protest, and from the sounds of it was not at the actual parade. The attack took place near the Sumter Landing Winn Dixie.

This is outrageous and is a black stain on Florida's Friendliest Hometown. Whether you like his views or not, he certainly has a right to protest, and to face physical violence in this manner is just frightening. He has also received threatening letters. What is the matter with these people?
Great way to get around the rules!!! Reminder do not direct comments toward other users. Your post will be removed.
Dismiss NO POLITICAL REFERENCES ARE ALLOWED ON THE WEBSITE. USERS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO DIRECT COMMENTS TOWARD ANOTHER USER. DIRECT THEM TO THE TOPIC. VIOLATION OF THESE RULES CAN LEAD TO ACCOUNT TERMINATION AND BAN.

[airstreamingypsy]

he was quoted as saying the man was possibly "Italian"-isn't that ethnic profiling ?

LOL, no it isn't. Educate yourself, I promise it won't hurt.

[Fuzz323]

This is what the news story said that the victim reported to the police.

"The Village of Hadley resident said he was driving through the Winn-Dixie parking lot at Lake Sumter Landing when a man jumped out of his cart and confronted him.

He said the man, who he described as possibly Italian, about 5-foot-11-inches tall and heavy set, grabbed him by the throat and pulled him from his golf cart, which was sporting a sign..."

I bet this did not make our local "feel good" sheet did it? Just "sayin"
as I have just been skimming it lately and could have missed this item :1rotfl:

[Fulco4706]

I hope he was at a Blue Lives Matter in support of the police.

[a002710]

We need the owners to step up. They have rules here that limits political signs in people’s yards. All we have to do is extend that limit to everywhere in the villages. To get around these rules people will put political signs in their golf carts and park them at the end of their driveway. Eliminate all signage, everywhere. I want my friendly hometown back where no one knew or cared how or who you voted for. Our current political environment is dividing our country, not making it stronger. This is exactly what our current adversaries want. A weaker America makes us a target to outside influences.

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

ya wanna be an activist ...this stuff is gonna happen

very sad that anyone was assaulted...however...no matter how flat the pancake is there is always two sides to it
....his behavior may have egged it on, no way of knowing...but just saying

if he got into someone's face, he's the one at fault...and would have escalated it...maybe he crossed the wrong person, someone
that had had a lousy breakfast and had gas and was in a bad mood to begin with....who knows for sure

no one knows what someone leaves behind when they leave the house

but I wasn't there and I'm not passing any judgment on anybody

all I can say is:

"well this is certainly a fine kettle of fish that we've gotten ourselves into Ollie, isn't it"

we are a nation divided....what should we think is going to happen when two zealots from opposite sides of the spectrum come head to head? maybe gas or bad mood . Of course that explains assaulting someone . I mean there’s 2 sides to every story the guy had a sign the other guy didn’t like , well that explains why he did it . Hmmmmm let’s make America great in action

[BlackhawksFan]

ya wanna be an activist ...this stuff is gonna happen

very sad that anyone was assaulted...however...no matter how flat the pancake is there is always two sides to it
....his behavior may have egged it on, no way of knowing...but just saying

if he got into someone's face, he's the one at fault...and would have escalated it...maybe he crossed the wrong person, someone
that had had a lousy breakfast and had gas and was in a bad mood to begin with....who knows for sure

no one knows what someone leaves behind when they leave the house

but I wasn't there and I'm not passing any judgment on anybody

all I can say is:

"well this is certainly a fine kettle of fish that we've gotten ourselves into Ollie, isn't it"

we are a nation divided....what should we think is going to happen when two zealots from opposite sides of the spectrum come head to head?

You are passing judgement, read your opening "sentence"

[Dust Bunny]

Ed McGinty, who is known as an anti-Trump protester, was physically attacked by one of the Trump supporters who hijacked the Blue Lives Matter parade, near Sumter Landing today. His picture was on Facebook, and showed him to be battered and bleeding. McGinty was on his way to his daily protest, and from the sounds of it was not at the actual parade. The attack took place near the Sumter Landing Winn Dixie.

This is outrageous and is a black stain on Florida's Friendliest Hometown. Whether you like his views or not, he certainly has a right to protest, and to face physical violence in this manner is just frightening. He has also received threatening letters. What is the matter with these people?

He poked his HEAD IN THE LIONS MOUTH TO SEE IF HE WAS HUNGER AND GOT BITTEN!
NO SYMPATHY FOR THIS DUDE!

[davem4616]

Not sure what you mean by “got into someone’s face” but words are never an excuse for violence. I understand that words can provoke, but the one who resorts to actual violence puts themselves in the wrong.

the phrase 'got into someone's face' basically means that you're standing very close to someone, you're not pleased with something they've done or said and you're letting them know how you feel about it, with energy, in no uncertain terms... it's just slang

I don't have a dog in this hunt...my post only suggested what may have led to the escalation

[Margterrymcg]

Interesting how the commenters stop just short of giving the attacker an “atta boy”

[justjim]

Very sad. I hope whoever did this assault (or any assault) in The Villages is caught, arrested and appropriately punished.

[Jayhawk]

He knows how people lie. Any person that is ignorant enough to punch a person who is peacefully protesting is clearly the type of person that would lie and try to get his cronies to dishonestly vouch for him.

Maybe Ed's the one lying. Did you see the event? How do you know the facts? Maybe he flipped the bird or threw the first punch.

Where' s the video now?

[Giolinh]

Two sides to every story. Perhaps what McGinty and a few others did to interrupt the Sunday golf cart parade for TRUMP by using extreme vulgar -in-your -face- language, incited the Winn Dixie encounter? We don't know. Everyone has the right to PEACEFUL protest, as per the Bill of Rights, but from what McGinty and crew did at said parade was beyond the pale. If they are serious about their side, maybe have a parade for whoever they want, but don't just be mean and nasty disruptors/provocateurs.

[Linda Taranto]

We cannot allow politics to move to this level.
God is the answer to all problems.
Please, please find peace in your hearts!
That is what HE wants from us!

[OhioBuckeye]

Yea, it’s really getting out of hand with so many demands. We need to get a lot tougher!

[Don5154]

Seems to matter when the shoe is on the other foot. Where are you when Trump supporters or republicans or better yet anyone who does not agree with you are attacked

As soon as i read the police report i’ll give my opinion. Until than relax and don’t just to conclusions. Only one side of the story has been reported.

[bilcon]

I saw him pulled beside the road yesterday near Winn Dixie talking to the Sheriff. He didn't look like he was hurt to me. Putting a sign on your cart calling The President of the US a "Turd" and a "Filthy Lier" is just asking for trouble. You can oppose someone without getting vicious. They asked people not to put political signs on their carts during yesterday's rally. He was not in Winn Dixie when I saw him. He was down the street from Toojay's and the Sheriff had his lights on talking to him.

[anothersteve]

On fat lady even tried to block the parade's traffic while screaming obscenities .

Now that offends me.... the term "weight challenged" would've been more politically correct :)

Steve

[Taltarzac725]

I doubt if they will arrest nor even find the man who allegedly assaulted Edward unless he turns himself in.

[fdpaq0580]

After reading this far I can see good reason to keep certain opinions (religion, politics) to yourself. Too many judges with too little real evidence will never arrive at a unanimous opinion.
Too many people with too little self control can lead to violence. Not good.

[Don5154]

[QUOTE=UpNorth;1788701]I'm surprised he didn't contact CNN first, for another 15 minutes of fame that he seems to crave so much.[/QUOTE

Would not surprise me if the other guy was a CNN reporter looking for a new story on Ed.

[Indydealmaker]

Hope the guy is caught and punished for the assault.
All staged! No one to catch.

[BS Beef]

In my country you have the right to protest any body or anything without being put in harm’s way. In my country you do NOT have the right to physically assault anyone. In my country we respect each other and will fight to the death for them to respect their views, even if we disagree.
What the hell is happening to my country?

I’m confused. I shouldn’t be in harms way, but you’re going to “fight me to the death” if I don’t respect your views. Guess it’s in my best interest to agree with you then

[Pmelo]

Pathetic behavior.

[lwmilo]

Before jumping to conclusions, at least find out what was the reason for the altercation. A known anti Trump agitator was simply an angel.? Stop and get the facts.

[bpascani]

This post doesn't make sense. The anti Trump person was going to protest (and what was he going to protest?? the parade, or what??), but the Trump person (and how do we know it was a Trump person) hijacked a Blue Life Matters parade??? That just doesn't make sense.

[Dave@TV]

I’m confused. I shouldn’t be in harms way, but you’re going to “fight me to the death” if I don’t respect your views. Guess it’s in my best interest to agree with you then

I think you misread the persons statement. Basically, what was said is: I may not agree with what you said, but I will fight to the death for your right to say it.

[theruizs]

I would have hoped that at our age we were past the school yard antics. I don’t know what went down. I only know that reacting with violence is never the answer. The golden rule, turn the other cheek, etc.

[graciegirl]

I believe the article also said people intervened to help......can’t believe you would say that.

The article had this in it, below in blue. A description of what happened by the person himself. I don't know what happened and apparently only he knows what happened. I don't know him at all, but his Facebook page shows a very nice family and him wearing formal Kilts to a family wedding and it appears he has a great deal of class. However, it seems to me that he really, really, really, really, really is not fond of Mr. Trump and it also appears to me that he is quite willing to share his views.

Here is a snip from the online news article. It has a close up of his injuries. I have never been in a physical fight in all of my 80 years or witnessed one. I do know how small children act and sometimes they don't ever change.

"Ed McGinty, who has received at least two threats over his stance against President Trump and was interviewed by CNN in March, filed a report with the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office late Saturday afternoon. McGinty suffered scratches on his neck and his lip was swollen and bloodied.

The Village of Hadley resident said he was driving through the Winn-Dixie parking lot at Lake Sumter Landing when a man jumped out of his cart and confronted him. He said the man, who he described as possibly Italian, about 5-foot-11-inches tall and heavy set, grabbed him by the throat and pulled him from his golf cart, which was sporting a sign that said, “Biden Will Kick Trump’s Fat Ass.” He said he reacted by punching the man in the nose and several other men jumped in and pulled them apart.

“One man said to me, ‘Just get in your cart and take off,’” McGinty said."

[walterray1]

In this day and age with most everyone having a cell phone with cameras and video it is quite amazing that footage of this "incident" is not readily available. McGinty has been ratcheting up his game for quite some time now. He has continued his one man crusade against the President and this appears to be just another step in his cause to gain more attention to himself and his cause.

[Kwenner]

Ed McGinty, who is known as an anti-Trump protester, was physically attacked by one of the Trump supporters who hijacked the Blue Lives Matter parade, near Sumter Landing today. His picture was on Facebook, and showed him to be battered and bleeding. McGinty was on his way to his daily protest, and from the sounds of it was not at the actual parade. The attack took place near the Sumter Landing Winn Dixie.

This is outrageous and is a black stain on Florida's Friendliest Hometown. Whether you like his views or not, he certainly has a right to protest, and to face physical violence in this manner is just frightening. He has also received threatening letters. What is the matter with these people?


I wonder how someone was able to get close enough to a moving golf cart and physically pull the alleged “ victim” off of the cart by his throat without sustaining any injuries himself.Ed must have awesome balance to not have fallen and gotten additional injuries . I would love to know where the witnesses are who encouraged him to just get on his cart and go. Filing a false police report is a crime, not saying he did, I’m just stating a fact.

[Bogie Shooter]

]If the attacker had been armed it could have been a disaster for Ed.[/B] Don’t agree with him, not interested in seeing him but he has the right.

If he was armed........you mean he would have shot Ed just because he was armed? Your implication is way off base.

[Michael Charles]

I believe in the Bill of rights and the U.S. Constitution.

I respect and honor those who serve and those who have served this country to protect those rights and freedoms.

No matter which side anyone is on I must respect their right to speak their minds. PEACEFULLY and WITHOUT being harmed because of their views.

This man has the right to speak his mind, without fear of being harmed.

You have the right to disagree without harming him or others.

I have the right to vote and will use that right come November to peacefully and quietly speak my mind.

[NoMoSno]

I wouldn't form any opinions based solely on an article written by the online "Village News" rag.
There are always two sides to a story.

[waynehal55]

This is The Villages. Given today's climate, he's lucky he wasn't shot. There's no excuse for this behavior and the assailant should be prosecuted. No one SHOULD be assaulted for poor judgement. On the other hand, which one of us would consider walking into a BLM "protest" with a sign that states "the police are just doing their job", or "white lives matter"? I think we all know the result of that lapse in judgement as well.

Well said........agree with you 100%

[betty2356]

not profiling at all. Merely describing the attacker, just as one would estimate height/weight.

[jimjamuser]

I guess things are starting to get real.
Real? Yes, we, the whole US of A are becoming BizzarroLand. Down is Up. We are expected to hate the media and love Russia and Saudi Arabia. We are expected to go to work without PPEs. Hospitals are getting full in some parts of the country." Love thy neighbor" has been replaced with "greed is good". Suspect your neighbor of being one of "those dreaded others". Be selfish is the creed of the day. We are close to a depression economically and with ACTUAL unemployment around 20%, no wonder some people with opposite opinions clash. The fabric of society is torn and will stay that way until a vaccine or prevention for CV is found!

[Bogie Shooter]

Maybe this was the beginning........................

"There may be somebody with tomatoes in the audience. So if you see somebody getting ready to throw a tomato, knock the crap out of them, would you? Seriously. Okay? Just knock the hell— I promise you, I will pay for the legal fees. I promise, I promise. It won’t be so much ’cause the courts agree with us too."

[sktb888]

He will be a rich man soon. Hopefully his assailant will spend some time in jail.

[dewilson58]

I wouldn't form any opinions based solely on an article written by the online "Village News" rag.
There are always two sides to a story.


Bingo

[Marvic 1]

Maybe this was the beginning........................

"There may be somebody with tomatoes in the audience. So if you see somebody getting ready to throw a tomato, knock the crap out of them, would you? Seriously. Okay? Just knock the hell— I promise you, I will pay for the legal fees. I promise, I promise. It won’t be so much ’cause the courts agree with us too."

Or how about "if you see them in a restaurant or at the movies get in their face and tell them your not welcome here"

[forebubba]

Someone once said, punch him in the face, I'll pay the legal fees

[jimjamuser]

"This stuff is gonna happen?" :oops:

In other words, if you disagree with someone and have signs showing such, or even have a screaming match, physical violence is inevitable...and warranted?

Wow...just wow. :ohdear:

As far as "not passing any judgment on anybody," methinks most of the post belies the fact...that is exactly what is occurring.



Gee, let's everyone start using our real names and while we're at it...let's add our addresses and phone #'s. :doh:
I prefer being Mr. Anonomous because when all the animosity stops in 2020. I don't want to have old scars from this tumultuous time. I want to return to the "good life", the spirit, the good times, the friends, and the Village activities that I remember from about 3 or 4 years ago.
Those were the days my friend
we'd sing and dance, forever and a day

[Love2Swim]

I wonder how someone was able to get close enough to a moving golf cart and physically pull the alleged “ victim” off of the cart by his throat without sustaining any injuries himself.Ed must have awesome balance to not have fallen and gotten additional injuries . I would love to know where the witnesses are who encouraged him to just get on his cart and go. Filing a false police report is a crime, not saying he did, I’m just stating a fact.

You're not "saying he did", you're just implying it. It would be funny if it wasn't pathetic.

[graciegirl]

Maybe this was the beginning........................

"There may be somebody with tomatoes in the audience. So if you see somebody getting ready to throw a tomato, knock the crap out of them, would you? Seriously. Okay? Just knock the hell— I promise you, I will pay for the legal fees. I promise, I promise. It won’t be so much ’cause the courts agree with us too."

And...it might not have been an attack at all. It has been proven that some people will put up signs and allow people to think they are vandalized or a victim of a terrorist group by putting the hated Swastica on their own doors and sidewalks. Some people even hire people to appear to beat them up. This happened to a very well known Television personality in Chicago. Hate is a very strong emotion. We cannot always trust what people say, sadly. Even those who post a lot on TOTV, like me.

[graciegirl]

And...it might not have been an attack at all. It has been proven that some people will put up signs and allow people to think they are vandalized or a victim of a terrorist group by putting the hated Swastica on their own doors and sidewalks. Some people even hire people to appear to beat them up. This happened to a very well known Television personality in Chicago. Hate is a very strong emotion. We cannot always trust what people say, sadly. Even those who post a lot on TOTV, like me.

Of course they wouldn't lie, but sometimes it is very difficult to get to the very heart of the matter and find an unbiased source.

[Topspinmo]

"This stuff is gonna happen?" :oops:

In other words, if you disagree with someone and have signs showing such, or even have a screaming match, physical violence is inevitable...and warranted?

Wow...just wow. :ohdear:

As far as "not passing any judgment on anybody," methinks most of the post belies the fact...that is exactly what is occurring.



Gee, let's everyone start using our real names and while we're at it...let's add our addresses and phone #'s. :doh:

You first.

[Neils]

If the attacker had been armed it could have been a disaster for Ed. Don’t agree with him, not interested in seeing him but he has the right.

And if Iran nuked Ed it would have been bad too

[Topspinmo]

This is what the news story said that the victim reported to the police.

"The Village of Hadley resident said he was driving through the Winn-Dixie parking lot at Lake Sumter Landing when a man jumped out of his cart and confronted him.

He said the man, who he described as possibly Italian, about 5-foot-11-inches tall and heavy set, grabbed him by the throat and pulled him from his golf cart, which was sporting a sign..."

He could of kept driving.

[karostay]

I wouldn't form any opinions based solely on an article written by the online "Village News" rag.
There are always two sides to a story.

Where ?

[Finchs]

This is outrageous and is a black stain on Florida's Friendliest Hometown. Whether you like his views or not, he certainly has a right to protest, and to face physical violence in this manner is just frightening. He has also received threatening letters. What is the matter with these people?[/QUOTE]

I have been in 2 Pro-Trump Kart rallies, and have been appalled at the nasty, vulgar and extremely hateful ranting and offensive signage that this low-IQ individual gets away with. To say he asks for, and invites hostility is putting it mildly.
If he got his nose punched I believe without any reservations the idiot has just gone to darn far and people are really done with putting up with his pathetic need for attention. I abhor violence, and believe those who incite it should be condemned,, not glorified. McGinty incites violence. Period. He got what he asked for.

[Topspinmo]

No one with signs or words should be the recipient of physical violence. No one. The person who attacked him was clearly a Villages thug. If you state some political view I don't agree with, or wave some sign around with words that do not meet my ethical standards, I have no right to punch you in the face. What normal people do when that happens is argue with the person, and if that gets them nowhere, they walk away.

This was public area, how do you know he was village resident?

[jimjamuser]

McGinty had a sign on his cart “Hang Him” obvious who he was referring to. Now he’s getting a taste of his own medicine. And free speech does not mean yelling “fire” in a theater which his inflammatory signs are doing. He should be arrested for inciting to riot.
No way, Jose- on the arrest him. He is the victim.

[Topspinmo]

McGinty wasn't at any protest. He was out in front of the Winn Dixie, driving his golf cart.


And he didn’t have to stop did he?

[obxgal]

Maybe it has nothing to do with Ed's political signs at all. Maybe Ed pulled out in front of the other driver and almost caused an accident.

[Fredman]

I am Italian. Whoever said that IS ethnic profiling—just as people who assume we’re all in the Mafia.

Are u saying that’s not true. :bigbow:

[jimjamuser]

No one with signs or words should be the recipient of physical violence. No one. The person who attacked him was clearly a Villages thug. If you state some political view I don't agree with, or wave some sign around with words that do not meet my ethical standards, I have no right to punch you in the face. What normal people do when that happens is argue with the person, and if that gets them nowhere, they walk away.
Well said, true that.

[njbchbum]

On possible Italian - it was a DESCRIPTION. The police ask for one and you do the best you can. If the attacker is white, black, disabled, Chinese, male, female, Muslim, tall, short, Japanese, heavy set, thin, etc. - it is a DESCRIPTION. It is NOT racial profiling. Under the law, NO ONE has the right to put their hands on you whether you disagree with them or not, argue with them or not. This attacker lost control of himself instead of walking away from someone he didn’t like.

What does Italian look like? Is calling someone Italian without knowing their ethnicity/heritage identity profiling then? Does that make profiling right if it is not racial profiling?

[beachman46]

I think Ed had a visit from the Secret Service awhile back for threatening to punch President Trump in the mouth on social media. . How about someone checking that out!
How about Ed being thrown out of several golfing groups because of his aggressive political views. This guy pushes people to the limit with his liberal political views. Politics, Religion and Sports should not be in the same conversation.

[Dilligas]

If the attacker had been armed it could have been a disaster for Ed. Don’t agree with him, not interested in seeing him but he has the right.
If the attacker was a professional assassin he could have........Getting a little spectulative are we?

[Dilligas]

Ed's signs weren't inteded to provide dialogue, inform or work to any solution, they were intended to inflame and aggravate. When you do that sooner or later you put yourself in harms way.
What happen to politics that supported a candidate instead of defaming or slandering the opposition? When we get candidates from political parties that are the best at what they do instead of career politicians that are working for re-election and power, we will get to an election where people are voting for the best candidate instead of against the least desireable candidate. So far neither political party can provide an option. We also need to remove mass media and social medial from the decision making until they report the facts instead of reporting their opinions and misrepresenting the facts.

[jimjamuser]

Exactly, but what I find interesting is that this comment doesn't appear until half-way through this thread.
Made me laugh, biggley.

[Madelaine Amee]

I believe in the Bill of rights and the U.S. Constitution.

I respect and honor those who serve and those who have served this country to protect those rights and freedoms.

No matter which side anyone is on I must respect their right to speak their minds. PEACEFULLY and WITHOUT being harmed because of their views.

This man has the right to speak his mind, without fear of being harmed.

You have the right to disagree without harming him or others.

I have the right to vote and will use that right come November to peacefully and quietly speak my mind.

Congratulations Mr. Charles for this excellent post. I admit, with shame, to having read through all 12 pages of this rubbish and am left with a feeling of sorrow for this nation of ours. Even during Richard Nixon's impeachment I do not remember such vitriolic unrest that is evident in the country now.

It is going to be a long hot summer .......................

[jimjamuser]

"Martin Luther King peacefully led protests about civil rights."

Except there was a major riot in just about every large city he visited about a week later. Bag man for the funding?????

"There were protests against the Vietnam War, mostly peaceful."

Kent State.

Again, the victim should NEVER have been assaulted, but in the real world one needs to be cognizant of the possible outcomes of a given action.
Good points, well presented.

[Topspinmo]

I don’t condone violence at any level but when you say the things he says you’re asking for trouble. The mans mouth is a sewer

And signs. Don’t have to be vulgar and nasty.

[JoMar]

No one with signs or words should be the recipient of physical violence. No one. The person who attacked him was clearly a Villages thug. If you state some political view I don't agree with, or wave some sign around with words that do not meet my ethical standards, I have no right to punch you in the face. What normal people do when that happens is argue with the person, and if that gets them nowhere, they walk away.

Not a lot of that going today is there? I don't condone the action but it was bound to happen. Ed's signs don't state a political view, don't take a position on issues, don't invite discussion. His position is one of a thug and a bully, personal attacks are his only message. He invites arguing which, as I was brought up, is not the way to solve anything. Some people handle bully's differently than you but when you push buttons, sooner or later someone is going to push back.

[17362]

Ed McGinty, who is known as an anti-Trump protester, was physically attacked by one of the Trump supporters who hijacked the Blue Lives Matter parade, near Sumter Landing today. His picture was on Facebook, and showed him to be battered and bleeding. McGinty was on his way to his daily protest, and from the sounds of it was not at the actual parade. The attack took place near the Sumter Landing Winn Dixie.

This is outrageous and is a black stain on Florida's Friendliest Hometown. Whether you like his views or not, he certainly has a right to protest, and to face physical violence in this manner is just frightening. He has also received threatening letters. What is the matter with these people?
Everyone has a right to protest No one has the right to riot and cause damage and physical harm. This is the problem NOW. And for a while ... to be completely honest.
It does not matter what side, what color, as humans in America: we have the right to protest without damage and harm to others - period.

[allsport]

He was driving a golf cart with signs and was attacked probably by one of those x-cops with anger management issues. Disgusting people do disgusting things. I was always taught to use my words, fists are for insecure bullies with low self esteem.

[JoMar]

I recently posted about political signs and what they do.

Mr McGinty certainly has every right to express his views but there is always a risk when doing so.

I'm not blaming Mr McGinty. I'm just saying that there are people out there that don't need much to provoke them to violence. Signs such as Mr McGinty and others have on their golf carts, cars and houses are all some people need.

Thank God that those people are few and far between among us.


Might be me but I haven't seen anyone with signs on their carts attacking Biden. Let me know if you have and what they say

[Byte1]

Not that I condone physical recourse, BUT if a patriot is deeply insulted by a threat to his/her PRESIDENT, I can understand their anger.
As to someone stating a sarcastic comment about the "friendliest town in America" I say, as compared to what town? It may still be a valid statement if you compare the population of this community to towns across America. Just saying.
By the way, perhaps whomever(?) assaulted Eddie saved him from his fanatical progression toward stepping over the legal line in his insinuations of aggression toward our President. "Hang him" comes real close to a threatening posture. Perhaps, the Secret Service should investigate this matter and keep an eye on him to prevent future injury?
Yes, that's me being facetious.

[Byte1]

We need the owners to step up. They have rules here that limits political signs in people’s yards. All we have to do is extend that limit to everywhere in the villages. To get around these rules people will put political signs in their golf carts and park them at the end of their driveway. Eliminate all signage, everywhere. I want my friendly hometown back where no one knew or cared how or who you voted for. Our current political environment is dividing our country, not making it stronger. This is exactly what our current adversaries want. A weaker America makes us a target to outside influences.

The owners cannot change the deed restrictions after they sell the home. WE are the owners. We agreed to the set rules at closing, not agree to rules not yet decided or invented. If signs bother folks, then I can see how some mean spirited verbiage could cause trauma.

[Byte1]

[QUOTE=UpNorth;1788701]I'm surprised he didn't contact CNN first, for another 15 minutes of fame that he seems to crave so much.[/QUOTE

Would not surprise me if the other guy was a CNN reporter looking for a new story on Ed.

Or MAKE UP a news story as they are wont to do.

[Byte1]

I would have hoped that at our age we were past the school yard antics. I don’t know what went down. I only know that reacting with violence is never the answer. The golden rule, turn the other cheek, etc.

I agree, but didn't some candidate say something about taking another out behind the gym?

[davem4616]

You are passing judgement, read your opening "sentence"


That opening sentence wasn't passing judgment...it was an observation

that said...what makes it okay for you to pass judgment on me?

[jimjamuser]

So much for America’s lauded freedom. To use of violence against people that you disagree with is the opposite of the ideals in the Bill of Rights, and are the actions of a terrorist not a patriot. I do not care if the signs are, “intended to inflame and aggravate”. To get in a fist fight over a political sign is just wrong.
You go Tron, perfect logic. Well written.

[jimjamuser]

The most effective way, and actually the quietest and peaceful way to voice your protest is at the ballot box.

Reading all these posts for and against McGinty and the assailant, it just shows how EVERYBODY HAS AN OPINION, and in it's own way, each post is actually a protest or show of support. It's just not "public" in the physical sense.

When you publicly protest with inflammatory signs, you might as well have a "hit me" sign on your back.

Did McGinty deserve to be attacked? Not really.
Do I feel bad for him? Not really.
I feel bad for him! Sorry.

[manaboutown]

Does anyone else smell a Smollett?

Ed could have staged an assault as his "injuries" were trivial. I for one would not put it past him for a heartbeat.

Or Ed could have pushed the wrong person over the edge. He operates way out beyond the edge of reason in the twilight zone of tolerance. I find it remarkable that Ed has gone on and on with his nonstop verbal abuse and ugly public displays for years without getting what passes for his brain bashed in long ago.

If someone wore a red ball cap to a BLM rally he might last 20 seconds. That Ed has lasted this long without suffering any bodily harm speaks volumes about the tolerance and restraint of civilized people.

[karostay]

No amount of verbal assault should result in a physical altercation...Bigger man or woman or combination there of who walks away wins

[jimjamuser]

In my country you have the right to protest any body or anything without being put in harm’s way. In my country you do NOT have the right to physically assault anyone. In my country we respect each other and will fight to the death for them to respect their views, even if we disagree.
What the hell is happening to my country?
That points out the crux of the situation.

[EdFNJ]

Not a lot of that going today is there? I don't condone the action but it was bound to happen. Ed's signs don't state a political view, don't take a position on issues, don't invite discussion. His position is one of a thug and a bully, personal attacks are his only message. He invites arguing which, as I was brought up, is not the way to solve anything. Some people handle bully's differently than you but when you push buttons, sooner or later someone is going to push back. As much as I agree with his position 100% I agree with you in the fact that his signs are inciteful and disgusting and I find the very embarrassing. There are better ways to make your point. Now if the tables (and political parties) were turned how do you think the guy in the golf cart yelling "white power" in the video of the "birthday party" would be welcomed? Sounds like everyone's "truth" seems to be rearing it's ugly head. They are both just 1 deviant person on 2 sides of the same disgusting argument.

[fdpaq0580]

Not that I condone physical recourse, BUT if a patriot is deeply insulted by a threat to his/her PRESIDENT, I can understand their anger.
As to someone stating a sarcastic comment about the "friendliest town in America" I say, as compared to what town? It may still be a valid statement if you compare the population of this community to towns across America. Just saying.
By the way, perhaps whomever(?) assaulted Eddie saved him from his fanatical progression toward stepping over the legal line in his insinuations of aggression toward our President. "Hang him" comes real close to a threatening posture. Perhaps, the Secret Service should investigate this matter and keep an eye on his to prevent future injury?
Yes, that's me being facetious.

I can appreciate facetiousness and sarcasm, but you might not be too far off the mark. I remember the old western movies where the vigilantes would break into the jail and get the person they were mad at. The guy that shouted "Hang him" the loudest never had the rope or helped string it up but was the most vocal in insisting it must be done. The rabble rousers are a big part of the problems we are experiencing across the country.
I believe in freedom to peacefully protest, but the rabble rousers that promote violence are, imho, dangerous and counter productive.

[jimjamuser]

I agree - the assailant should be prosecuted. My only question is who was the assailant? I've heard a lot of speculation. Actually the first post should have started with "Allegedly" but I guess rush-to-judgement is the order of the day. I am, however, going to test your theory. Tonight I'm going to go down to metro Atlanta wearing my MAGA hat and Blue Lives Matter t-shirt. I'll let you know tomorrow how it all works out. I'm sure I'll get lots of complements.
The BIGGER (big picture) issue is why do we have tribal neighborhoods. Are we NOT equal? I ponder that. President L. Johnson made some great steps many years ago. We had busing, an expensive, near dead end. Why not Federal encouragement for integrated neighborhoods. The US Military is better integrated than the US in general. Why?

[jebartle]

We need the owners to step up. They have rules here that limits political signs in people’s yards. All we have to do is extend that limit to everywhere in the villages. To get around these rules people will put political signs in their golf carts and park them at the end of their driveway. Eliminate all signage, everywhere. I want my friendly hometown back where no one knew or cared how or who you voted for. Our current political environment is dividing our country, not making it stronger. This is exactly what our current adversaries want. A weaker America makes us a target to outside influences.

I agree, let's turn the clock back to 2016, hmmmm! Life is good!

[jimjamuser]

We cannot allow politics to move to this level.
God is the answer to all problems.
Please, please find peace in your hearts!
That is what HE wants from us!
Maybe "she". Not sure.

[Jacob85]

So you are excusing him for violent behavior because he has different beliefs so can’t control himself?

[Jacob85]

We are not responsible for another persons behavior

[jimjamuser]

I think you misread the persons statement. Basically, what was said is: I may not agree with what you said, but I will fight to the death for your right to say it.
Good catch...and release.

[BS Beef]

Real? Yes, we, the whole US of A are becoming BizzarroLand. Down is Up. We are expected to hate the media and love Russia and Saudi Arabia. We are expected to go to work without PPEs. Hospitals are getting full in some parts of the country." Love thy neighbor" has been replaced with "greed is good". Suspect your neighbor of being one of "those dreaded others". Be selfish is the creed of the day. We are close to a depression economically and with ACTUAL unemployment around 20%, no wonder some people with opposite opinions clash. The fabric of society is torn and will stay that way until a vaccine or prevention for CV is found!

Where is a hospital near full. Quite the contrary. They’re hemorrhaging (see how I did that :icon_wink:) money because they’re so empty and not allowed other procedures.

[Jacob85]

[QUOTE=Jacob85;1789046]This man has a right to put what he wants on his golf cart without being attracted! [it is called free speech! You can’t get another person to believe what you believe by attacking them

[ALadysMom]

And...it might not have been an attack at all. It has been proven that some people will put up signs and allow people to think they are vandalized or a victim of a terrorist group by putting the hated Swastica on their own doors and sidewalks. Some people even hire people to appear to beat them up. This happened to a very well known Television personality in Chicago. Hate is a very strong emotion. We cannot always trust what people say, sadly. Even those who post a lot on TOTV, like me.

Sounds like Ed may be dangerously unstable.

Remember the guy in S. Florida who was living in his van that was plastered with bumper stickers as he sent threatening letters to many prominent people?

The outward signs are the same regardless which side of the aisle.

[Moderator]

The thread is now closed.
Moderator

[Kenswing]

The thread is now closed.
Moderator

Fake news.. :1rotfl:

[donassaid]

Probably fake news as the rally was not at Winn Dixie. Furthermore, the handful of "protesters" who turned out by Panera Bread were hostile, obnoxious, confrontational and hurling the F bomb at Trump supporters in golf carts. If I had been there, I might have punched somebody's lights out myself. Peaceful protests are protected speech and should be encouraged. However, in your face screaming profanities and threatening others is not protected speech. Protesters need to tone down their rhetoric and their actions.

[Don Ferguson]

In my country you have the right to protest any body or anything without being put in harm’s way. In my country you do NOT have the right to physically assault anyone. In my country we respect each other and will fight to the death for them to respect their views, even if we disagree.
What the hell is happening to my country?

Uhh.....Can you so easily forget Minneapolis, Seattle, those bastions of liberal embarrassment to the United States!

[jimjamuser]

Where is a hospital near full. Quite the contrary. They’re hemorrhaging (see how I did that :icon_wink:) money because they’re so empty and not allowed other procedures.
Hospitals are not part of the big picture.....But, examples would be Tulsa, parts of Texas, N. Carolina, and Arizona. Fl and Tn are dark red on the map because they have set recent daily records for case increases. Other than that, NOT so much.

[graciegirl]

Fake news.. :1rotfl:

How'd that happen?

I am glad it isn't closed. It is good to be able to talk about feelings. We are all caught in swirling streams of hatred and I am upset about all of the verbiage foisted upon us from a lot of folks who appear to think they are superior. I just cannot tell you how I dislike all these edicts about politically correct this or that. I also am so angry and hurt by people who say terribly cutting things I think are unjustified and couch them in a sort of superior racist attitude. No one chooses their race. I think race affected some areas of this country far more than other areas and a good many of us moved here and hear a lot of things we have never experienced personally and frankly we are baffled. All of these intense things. All of these announcements on TV make a lot of people wonder what it is that they did or didn't do. How they are sinning and doing the wrong things that make others glare and say YUP.

[jimjamuser]

Probably fake news as the rally was not at Winn Dixie. Furthermore, the handful of "protesters" who turned out by Panera Bread were hostile, obnoxious, confrontational and hurling the F bomb at Trump supporters in golf carts. If I had been there, I might have punched somebody's lights out myself. Peaceful protests are protected speech and should be encouraged. However, in your face screaming profanities and threatening others is not protected speech. Protesters need to tone down their rhetoric and their actions.
I would NOT leave my front yard to participate in either one of those group protests. I would rather watch some good paint dry.

[Scorpyo]

I am, however, going to test your theory. Tonight I'm going to go down to metro Atlanta wearing my MAGA hat and Blue Lives Matter t-shirt. I'll let you know tomorrow how it all works out. I'm sure I'll get lots of complements.

I said the same thing up thread. :coolsmiley:
I know. I read it but I figured some people might have overlooked it. Given that I thought is was so good I plagiarized it. Either that or "brilliant minds, etc.":coolsmiley: