Jerk a Knot in Their Head

Last night I, like many of my friends, watched the news coverage of the #BaltimoreRiots. With all the thoughts and emotions I experienced, I kept thinking of one question: How long do you allow a child to throw a hissy fit? (That is a temper tantrum for my friends North of Mason-Dixon line.)

Sometimes, you let the child have a moment but then you step in. No child of mine ever had a prolonged fit. What I saw last night was an adult version of a hissy fit but had far worse repercussions.

Rioters. (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty)

First, the Mayor says she allowed those that wanted to express themselves by destroying property "space" to do so. She later denied making any such statement even when video evidence proved her wrong. Second, she did not act fast enough (setting a curfew, putting more police on the street, and calling Governor to ask for help, i.e. National Guard). Third, the mayor told the Police Chief (and some reports indicate President Obama even sent word) to exercise restraint. That is just ridiculous. You must not allow one person to commit one crime. Do not allow them to throw one rock or brick, break one window, or make any type of assault on innocent citizens and certainly the Police.

Baltimore Mayor, Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.

She made the argument that any police involvement/intervention would escalate the situation. Why then even deploy police? Why have riot squads? The actions (reactions) mirror the response of the Obama administration on the world stage. We do not combat fanatical Islamist extremists with force. Rather, we give them "space". We see how Putin, al-Assad, and now the Iranian leaders are exploiting Obama's inactions to force their will on others. Obama believes if we leave them alone, they will leave us alone.

Another word for this is appeasement. You should never give in to the lawless and certainly those actively engaged in violent behavior. Just see how well this worked out for Europe in the late 1930s led by Neville Chamberlain and his appeasement of Hitler.

No, you do not allow your child to throw a hissy fit. You "jerk a knot in their head" and they "straighten right up". Again, to translate for y'all Yankees, this means you use age-appropriate corrective discipline to change the attitude and BEHAVIOR of your child.