(Townhall) — Spirits must have been high as the governor of Minnesota took the long drive from St. Paul to Alexandria. The weather was perfect; clear cool skies. A glorious day for a picnic on the banks of a picturesque Minnesota lake. It’s fair to assume that the staff expected a warm welcome at the Democrat gathering.
What they got was a taste of just how radicalized their party has actually become.
The governor was beaming as he took the podium, prepared to rally the loyal troops. Minutes later he was driven from the stage. Mr. Walz was confronted by a squadron of Leftists, convinced that what they had to say was far more important than anything he had to contribute.
So they shouted him down.
Most of the state’s media missed the episode. Fortunately, Alpha News shared the story along with a video which you can see here.
Regardless of your view of this governor or his policies, it was a shameful display of disrespect, not just of him but of the office of governor. The encounter illustrated several things that warrant consideration.
First, the Democrat Party, much like Afghanistan, has become a collection of angry tribes. The Left seems to take a cue from the Taliban, there is no room for tolerance or even debate. Anyone who disagrees must be destroyed. The governor’s sin was that he finally bowed to the facts and agreed to allow the rebuild of an aging pipeline. Now he is a “Climate Denier” in their eyes. He must be run out of town. And that’s just what they did.
The governor received no slack from these environmental jihadists for recently announcing (foolishly) that Minnesota would follow California’s lead and require half of all vehicles sold in the state to be electric within nine years. These “protesters” are perpetually angry. That’s why we should call them the angry Left. They will never be happy, no matter how many times we capitulate.
This is especially so when it comes to “saving the planet.” If you’ve never been taught the golden rule, the Ten Commandments, let alone the concept of Minnesota Nice in school, it affects your behavior. You apparently believe you can be as rude and crude as you like. There are no legal or eternal consequences. If your mother is the Earth and that’s all there is, you must do everything to save her. That includes spreading disinformation and half truths about anyone who questions your science. In their world, ends justify the means.
And nothing is ever enough. Even if we all moved back into caves, they would demand meatless Mondays and fireless Fridays.
Shouting down a governor, who has supported their looney agenda 95% of the time, wasn’t just a good idea and morally acceptable. In their eyes it was absolutely essential. With the militant Left it’s my way or the highway. Sadly, the governor chose the highway.
Throughout history bullies have understood the power of intimidation. Watching the video of the encounter one is struck by the reaction of the others in attendance. Presumably they were there because they wanted to hear and see their governor. Yet none of the more than 200 people did much of anything to make the jihadists sit down and behave.
Once the governor and his security detail decided to surrender, they did so in haste. It looked a little like Biden’s withdrawal from Afghanistan. The retreat came quickly with little forethought or planning. Loyalists you’re on your own, we’re outa here! They piled him into that big SUV (carbon be damned) and back to St. Paul they raced.
The worst thing about the whole ugly incident is that the radical environmentalists achieved their objective. The governor’s unwillingness to stand his ground and make them behave like human beings will only wet their appetite. Expect more confrontations down the road.
There can be no Minnesota Nice when you’re dealing with bullies who behave like jihadists. Surrender buys peace at a heavy price. Putting on your big boy pants and staring them down is the only answer.
Gil Gutknecht
Gil Gutknecht is a former Republican congressman from Minnesota.
