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He's twice previously been involved in violent altercations while counter-demonstrating. That's fine; if it were his own life or well being he were risking, I would honor him for it. But he knows, as anyone else who'd dealt with these goons knows, that it's a dangerous situation where small children do not belong.

First, this was not a "dangerous situation." This was a public place in the United States of America, not even a space licensed for a partisan demonstration. And it was in public with cameras and witnesses all around. If one cannot expect to be safe with children in the open like that, then where can one expect to be safe? If the other side doesn't care about being seen commiting acts of violence, then one could say that demonstrating, voicing an opinion or even openly wearing a button anywhere is a "dangerous situation."

I applaud Mr. Parlock for having the courage to take his family out to exercise their constitutional rights. And I am glad that DemonRats had yet another opportunity to show that they are still the party of "Bull" Connor and violence, albeit with a different direction. Sofia Parlock and her Dad on multiple occasions have done more to expose them than most and should be applauded for it.

Blaming the victim in any way is justifying the violence, no matter what you say. And sharing the blame just plays into the hands of the real perpetrators.

If the other side doesn't care about being seen commiting acts of violence, then one could say that demonstrating, voicing an opinion or even openly wearing a button anywhere is a "dangerous situation."

Indeed one could. We've recently seen videos of union thugs choking and jumping on Bush demonstrators. Parlock was himself knocked over in a previous demonstration. You don't think being knocked over while carrying a three-year old is dangerous?

These guys acted like thugs in front of a camera. Yet you insist they wouldn't have done anything worse. I think you have more faith in them than I.

Blaming the victim in any way is justifying the violence, no matter what you say.

The victim was the three year old. When have I blamed her?

But in any case, i don't accept your premise. Normatively, one should be able to freely express one's political views in any public space in America. Pragmatically, it's unwise to express your political views in certain situations. A father owes his children his pragmatic judgement.