It doesn’t matter if Alex Pretti had a gun
This excerpt is a scathing critique of the actions of ICE, CBP, and Border Patrol, framing them as agents of state violence who actively create the unrest they then claim to be responding to. Here’s a breakdown of the key arguments and rhetorical devices used:
Core Argument: The author argues that it is indeed fundamentally unjust to expect victims of state violence to de-escalate situations with the vrey agents perpetrating that violence. They position this expectation as a form of “double taxation” – citizens are financially supporting the system that then harms them and expects them to manage the harm.
Key Points & Supporting Evidence:
* Shifting Duty: The author highlights the absurdity of asking civilians to maintain peace when facing aggressive federal agents. The responsibility for peace, they argue, lies with those enforcing the law, not those subjected to it.
* The Renee Good Example: The tragic case of Renee Good, shot by ICE agents after attempting to remain calm, is used as a stark illustration of the danger and futility of this expectation. The rhetorical question – “Did she deserve to die as she did an inadequate job of tempering their feelings?” – is powerfully accusatory.
* Pointless Brutality: The author questions the purpose of excessive force (pinning and pepper-spraying) beyond deliberately provoking anger. This suggests a purposeful strategy of escalation.
* Inherent Incapability: ICE, CBP, and Border Patrol are portrayed as incapable of self-regulation, lawfulness, or peacekeeping.They are not presented as flawed institutions that can be reformed, but as fundamentally problematic entities.
* Radical Solution: The author concludes with a strong call for the complete abolition of these agencies, labeling them “malignant” and “worthless.”
Rhetorical Devices:
* Rhetorical Questions: used frequently to challenge the reader’s assumptions and highlight the injustice of the situation.
* Emotional Language: Words like “sick,” “beat you up,” “malignant,” and “worthless” evoke strong emotional responses and convey the author’s outrage.
* Analogy (Double taxation): The comparison to double taxation is a powerful way to illustrate the unfairness of the situation.
* Specific Examples: The cases of Renee Good and the man pinned and pepper-sprayed provide concrete evidence to support the author’s claims.
* Strong Assertions: The author doesn’t shy away from making definitive statements (“ICE and its ilk are not an answer to a problem…”).
* Repetition: The emphasis on the agencies’ inability to “obey the law” and “keep the peace” reinforces the central argument.
Overall Tone: The tone is highly critical, indignant, and uncompromising. It’s a passionate and forceful condemnation of the actions of these federal agencies and the system that enables them. The author is clearly advocating for systemic change, not incremental reform.