Thread by @RadioFreeTom

I have not said that the protesters should not protest because of COVID. I avoided that because I knew it was pointless. But if you think the anti-lockdown people are playing gotcha - well, they are, because many of you walked right into it. Unfortunately. /1

I supported the lockdown and observed its restrictions in my own life. I still wear a mask. I was brutal about the dumbasses holding rallies in places like Michigan. I agreed with all of you who said that these people were reckless and endangering all of us - because they are. /2

But yes, I also knew there was no way to cap the volcano that would erupt after the Floyd video. I get that. But don't try to retcon arguments now to say "Well, this is different." If you thought COVID was a mortal threat in May, then just be consistent about it now. /3

It does no good to say "Well, this was important enough to risk it." That's a judgment you're making for others - and exactly the judgment you rejected from others a month or two ago. That makes no sense now, either as a matter of logic or science. That is pure emotivism. /4

The best you can say is: "This was going to happen, and now we'd better brace for the consequences." But trying to say "*Those* public gatherings were irresponsible, but *these* public gatherings are not a danger" just looks like the double-standard that it is. /5

When you've told people not to go to church because it could get many of us killed - a rule I followed - and then make excuses about how thousands of people, shoulder-to-shoulder, screaming, is okay and not to worry, you can't complain if others now doubt your sincerity. /6

I am not saying the protests do not have a legitimate cause. They do. I am not saying that police violence is not a threat. It is.
I am saying that this huge double-standard will now strengthen the *incorrect* argument that the lockdowns were just bullshit. And that's bad. /7x