Remember Kent State? Military response to protests is dangerous Editorial

[Diamond_Dog]

There’s a saying by German philosopher Georg Hegel about humankind’s failure to learn from our past mistakes: “The only thing we learn from history is that we learn nothing from history.”

Unfortunately, those wise words appear to be playing out yet again.

The tragic events of May 4, 1970, at Kent State University hold an infamous place in American history.

Four people died and nine were wounded when the Ohio National Guard opened fire on protesters demonstrating against the U.S. invasion of Cambodia during the Vietnam War.

Who can forget the iconic, chilling photo of a teenage girl screaming by the lifeless body of a student killed by the National Guard’s barrage of bullets?

The times are different and the issues have changed. Today’s protests in California aren’t against a foreign war but rather concerns over immigration raids in Los Angeles.

But when 2,000 National Guard members were activated in California under orders from President Donald Trump, for many, it conjured up painful memories of the shootings at Kent State 55 years ago…..

https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/opinion/editorials/2025/06/12/national-guard-deployment-california-protests-wrong-kent-state-shootings-1970-editorial/84137958007/?tbref=hp

[yankee87]

1. Redux Kent

I believe instead of four being killed, it will be at least 40, with many more injured. I realize that during my protest I may die. If something happens, I will use my body as a shield for a young person. When I go to anything with crowds now, I see how my family will be protected, and I'll get out as I can. I use a walker.
I can't believe we have Putin's lapdog as POTUS again.

[Midnight Writer]

2. The most striking thing I saw after the Kent State Massacre was the people cheerleading over it.

I live in a small town, and it seemed like everyone was thrilled that Nixon was finally shooting those filthy hippie, drug-addicted, free-love, commie traitors that were burning down our country.

This is the time I first started losing friends over a "political" issue.

[slightlv]

4. Midnight, I remember those, too...

In fact, it was one of the first times my dad and I got into a near knock down, drag out. To his favor, it didn't take much to change his mind. He fought in WWII and saw the similarities with what was beginning here. And eventually, he became one of the loudest voices against the action taken at Kent State... although I don't think he ever did "get" where we young people were coming from. I rally tomorrow in his name. As a Medic in the Army in WWII, he saw some of the worst of what people will do to other people. He would be rallying if he were still here. Since he isn't, I carry on in his name for my generation.

[slightlv]

3. I basically wrote a reply that saying the same thing...

we HAVE to take a harder look at our history in order to avoid the mistakes that were made previously. I was of sentient age when Kent State happened. I remember what an impact it had on me... and still has on me to this day.

I just had a song pop in my mind... I think the name of it is "We Need a Hero"... but that's always looking outside ourselves to have someone come in and rescue us. We need to change that song to WE are the Heroes we Need.

Everyone stay safe tomorrow. But let there be no question we will not go quietly into trumps hell of an autocracy. We will fight it every step he tries to take. If we're really lucky, the whole stress of the situation, as well as the world blowing up around him, will kill him with a heart attack or stroke. But we couldn't be that lucky. And, even if we were, the Dominionists via Vance, and the rest of the Nazi's via Miller and Bannon are just waiting to step in and take trumps place.

So again I say, stay safe. I know of two states who have declared open season on rally goers. One, right next door to me. Try to do right and righteous, and Evil will always be there to fight against you. But this is THE existential threat of our generation!