TheDude
Gold Member
Christopher Rufo, one of the most valuable City Council candidates to appear in a long time, has left the race. This was his statement to supporters:
_________
.
"I'm writing to you with a heavy heart. After spending the past two days in discussion with my family, I am terminating my campaign for Seattle City Council.
.
"I had hoped that this would be a campaign of ideas, but I quickly discovered that the activists in this city have no interest in ideas. Since the campaign launch, they have harassed and threatened my family nonstop. I was prepared to take the heat, but unfortunately, they have focused their hatred on my wife and children. They've made vile racist attacks against my wife, attempted to get her fired from Microsoft, and threatened sexual violence. They have even posted hateful messages to my 8-year-old son's school Facebook page. I know that as the race progresses, the activists will ratchet up their hate-machine and these attacks will intensify significantly.
.
"I feel deeply disappointed about this turn of events and hope that I have not disappointed you, too. I've been overwhelmed by the support, love, and passion from hundreds of people all over the Puget Sound. I know in my heart that our cause is just and our ideas would make Seattle a better place. But my primary responsibility is to make sure my family is healthy, happy, and safe. That's not possible in our current political climate, which has been overtaken by polarization and the ever-present threat of violence.
.
"I've learned that our problem here in Seattle is much deeper than the city council's policies—we have created a culture of intolerance that is deeply destructive to the common good. I plan to spend the next few months reflecting on this experience and charting a way forward in a series of essays. I hope that some positive benefit can come out of this disappointment.
.
"Over the next two weeks, I will be refunding all of our campaign donors and will personally cover the costs incurred since the launch of the campaign. I'm deeply grateful for all of you who have made contributions and hope you can reroute your hard-earned money to other candidates in the city.
.
"I'm going to take a few days with my family, but please reach out if you have any questions. I'm honored to have had your support."
[End of Chris' statement]
__________
.
"... a culture of intolerance that is deeply destructive..."
.
For months we've been hearing from hard-Left people that Seattle's problem is intolerant, uncaring, heartless, "privileged" NIMBYs. Safe Seattle, Speak Out Seattle, and other such groups are routinely flamed by the hard Left as "haters" or even "fascists."
.
But consider what happened to Chris Rufo and his family. Who are the _real_ haters?
.
A sharply defining feature of totalitarians: They hope to suppress dissent with threats of violence or, if that doesn't get them what they want, then actual violence — all the while insisting they are the ones who want only to defend freedom and justice. Again: who in this town are the real haters, the real racists, the people who'd threaten sexual violence — the real fascists? The answer is right before your eyes.
.
Watch what they do, not what they claim to stand for. With their vile rhetoric and their threats, the ones who declare themselves "anti-hate" and "anti-fascist" are indistinguishable from the people they say are their enemies.
.
Poke the shiny virtue-covered crust of our city government, and the distinct odor of rot comes right out. How very convenient these "activists" have been for the progressive elites running — and ruining — this town.
.
Chris Rufo — hats-off to you, what you stand for, and what you tried to do.
– Mike
_________
.
"I'm writing to you with a heavy heart. After spending the past two days in discussion with my family, I am terminating my campaign for Seattle City Council.
.
"I had hoped that this would be a campaign of ideas, but I quickly discovered that the activists in this city have no interest in ideas. Since the campaign launch, they have harassed and threatened my family nonstop. I was prepared to take the heat, but unfortunately, they have focused their hatred on my wife and children. They've made vile racist attacks against my wife, attempted to get her fired from Microsoft, and threatened sexual violence. They have even posted hateful messages to my 8-year-old son's school Facebook page. I know that as the race progresses, the activists will ratchet up their hate-machine and these attacks will intensify significantly.
.
"I feel deeply disappointed about this turn of events and hope that I have not disappointed you, too. I've been overwhelmed by the support, love, and passion from hundreds of people all over the Puget Sound. I know in my heart that our cause is just and our ideas would make Seattle a better place. But my primary responsibility is to make sure my family is healthy, happy, and safe. That's not possible in our current political climate, which has been overtaken by polarization and the ever-present threat of violence.
.
"I've learned that our problem here in Seattle is much deeper than the city council's policies—we have created a culture of intolerance that is deeply destructive to the common good. I plan to spend the next few months reflecting on this experience and charting a way forward in a series of essays. I hope that some positive benefit can come out of this disappointment.
.
"Over the next two weeks, I will be refunding all of our campaign donors and will personally cover the costs incurred since the launch of the campaign. I'm deeply grateful for all of you who have made contributions and hope you can reroute your hard-earned money to other candidates in the city.
.
"I'm going to take a few days with my family, but please reach out if you have any questions. I'm honored to have had your support."
[End of Chris' statement]
__________
.
"... a culture of intolerance that is deeply destructive..."
.
For months we've been hearing from hard-Left people that Seattle's problem is intolerant, uncaring, heartless, "privileged" NIMBYs. Safe Seattle, Speak Out Seattle, and other such groups are routinely flamed by the hard Left as "haters" or even "fascists."
.
But consider what happened to Chris Rufo and his family. Who are the _real_ haters?
.
A sharply defining feature of totalitarians: They hope to suppress dissent with threats of violence or, if that doesn't get them what they want, then actual violence — all the while insisting they are the ones who want only to defend freedom and justice. Again: who in this town are the real haters, the real racists, the people who'd threaten sexual violence — the real fascists? The answer is right before your eyes.
.
Watch what they do, not what they claim to stand for. With their vile rhetoric and their threats, the ones who declare themselves "anti-hate" and "anti-fascist" are indistinguishable from the people they say are their enemies.
.
Poke the shiny virtue-covered crust of our city government, and the distinct odor of rot comes right out. How very convenient these "activists" have been for the progressive elites running — and ruining — this town.
.
Chris Rufo — hats-off to you, what you stand for, and what you tried to do.
– Mike
