>>>The context was that someone said that Russia, or any other country, should not treat peaceful protesters that way, and my point was that we can’t tell Russia, nor any other country, what to do. Not a straw man at all, just a “pick the hill you die on” comment.
No. The issue isn’t what the Russians do in their own land. It’s OUR reaction to it. Life sometimes gives pop quizzes. You and the rest on this thread got to choose between ethical and political principles of liberty, and hate for homosexuals. You failed the test.
As far as I can tell these weren’t destructive and violent rioters like the WTO demonstrators. Anybody applauding the beatdown of otherwise peaceful people for simply talking to reporters makes a lie of any claim to “conservative values”. You sided with the police-state. So if valuing free speech in lands that lack it is riding a high horse, then giddyup.
But most of the country applauded the beatings (myself included). Wrong? I don't think so. There is such a thing as "fighting words" that in a normal, healthy, society will get you your ass kicked if you act out in a way offensive to the general norms of society.
Defending your culture, directly yourself, or by proxy with the police, is a "conservative value". Maybe the highest conservative value.
All you are hearing on this thread is the sound of support for a push back against homo activists. IMO long overdue. And if that means a few heads get cracked, well, as the song says,"don't spit into the wind. Don't pull on Superman's cape".
Do not be so bold as to tell me what I meant by what I said. You inserted yourself in a conversation and promptly misunderstood the point and made judgments based on that misunderstanding.
Again, off your high horse, sir or madam. Do not answer, for I do not care what change agents have to say, and you will be speaking to a deaf ear.