Is Harassment of Public Figures Acceptable: Your Sincere Opinion

[Neo-Scholastic]

My civil side urges me to say that there are many weapons that belong in an activist's arsenal, but harassment of individuals isn't one of them. These people didn't put Trump in charge. Your real problem is with the basket of deplorables.

When someone calls half of the electorate "deplorable" or "bitter clingers" it only reinforces the perception that that someone holds them in contempt. Building resentment against you isn't a good way to earn votes.

...in another sense, the choice to be a figure in the public sphere is one that has private consequences. They had to be aware of what they were getting themselves into. Through their work, they affect the private lives of millions; it's a two way street.

No it is not a two-way street. Public policy does not maliciously single out individuals. I believe that public servants in general, no matter how misguided, are doing what they believe is best for the nation as a whole. That is not to say there isn't corruption and self-serving policies and legislation. There are. And those should be dealt with legally and electorally, not through mob action by a self-selected set of belligerents and instigators.

The idea that they "know what they are getting into" smacks of blaming the victim although it is true to a limited extent. A public figure can expect to have unflattering pictures of themselves plastered on the front of newspapers, have nasty articles written about them and even confronted at their offices. But if it becomes common practice to stalk and harass people, their spouses, and children in their private lives, then very fewer and fewer decent people will take on the responsibility of leadership or public service.

Just as a reminder, I remain interesting in seeing examples of left-leaning public persons having been harassed in their private lives and subsequently being told by right-leaning pundits etc. that they deserved it.