Regarding The Flap Over Confederate Statues

[bennyboy]

I see a third way, to wit, considering the feelings of the public and letting that discussion determine the outcome. A little messier than your Manichaean outlook, but hey, we're blue-skying opinions, right?

Oh, absolutely. I'm not sure a 3-2 city council vote sufficiently encapsulates the will of the people of Charlottesville overall, but that's fine.

I'm not arguing against the right of removal of the statue-- I'm arguing that I'm pro-statue, especially where important historical figures are involved. I don't think the statue should be removed, because I think there are better ways to use it for the purposes of education than hiding it in a museum, but that doesn't mean I don't respect the rights of the people of Charlottesville to decide what they do / don't want in their town.

"Free speech" doesn't mean "I agree with you".  It means "you have the right to speak your views in public but you do not have the right to be free of critique or counterprotest."

I'm not sure how you seem to think I advocate their censorship. Might you please explain that? I'm fine with them marching. I'm fine with their protests. But those statues aren't their speech.

No, they are the expression of the man who purchased and donated both the statue and the park.

Or should the public polity to which he donated the land be beholden to his view of things forever and anon?

I don't know. We're still less than a century out on that, I believe.

No.  You're ignoring the fact that on one hand we have a statue on public ground for public viewing maintained by public funds by taxpayers who may not wish their taxes to support that symbol; and on the other hand a decoration I have in the privacy of my home where no one who sees it is not there by invitation and has not contributed a penny to its upkeep.

They may not wish to spend a much greater fee removing and locating it. Maybe the citizens of Charlottesville should be allowed to vote on the issue of statue removal.

They are not equal. You didn't buy my dreamcatcher, and probably will never see it. You'll probably never visit my home even if we live in the same town. However, if I live in a town with one of these statues and wish to go to, say, the public library, I needs must pass this statue, whether I'm white, black, Asian, African, or Martian.

Okay,

Who in the Hell mentioned BLM? Your position would be well satisfied by placements in a museum, yet you protest vigorously against that. Those museums, already extant, already visited by American history classes, wouldn't have to suffer your errant frisbee-throws as you sup on your picnic under the shadows of those statues, apathetic to the feelings of others who don't share your views.

Forgive me for pointing out the obvious, but just because you think he was important for Reasons™ doesn't mean he merits honor. This has been hashed over already in this thread. You should perhaps give it a read, Benny-boy.