Did Charlottesvilel mean anything?

[Brian37]

I honestly don't think it means anything on reflection.

The only people who like Nazis or sympathize wit them are themselves and most people hate them. So they are going nowhere

You need to study world history before you say stupid shit like that. AGAIN, it does not have to be a majority for a minority to fuck things up for the majority. The only way they "don't go anywhere" is eternal vigilance. Again, lots of Germans long before Hitler had any power, when he first started making noise, lots of people also didn't take him seriously. 

And again, we did have white nationalism KKK majority in our Congress before. I am sick of your bullshit, don't assume it cant happen again, if it has happened the potential is always there. Fascism does not happen over night, it takes years and even decades, but it does happen, otherwise it would not exist at all.

[bennyboy]

You need to study world history before you say stupid shit like that. AGAIN, it does not have to be a majority for a minority to fuck things up for the majority. The only way they "don't go anywhere" is eternal vigilance. Again, lots of Germans long before Hitler had any power, when he first started making noise, lots of people also didn't take him seriously. 

I don't think there's anyone here, or in America, who doesn't take the actions and counteractions around white supremacists and race groups. But what does Nazi Germnay tell you about how to act on the constitution and laws of the US? Does it say if you distrust a group or disagree with them that they must be stopped at all costs?

Be careful with that sentiment, because if people on the streets or in forums get to decide who to put in a group and then marginalize, atheists are going to be a pretty easy target.

[LadyForCamus]

Does it matter if the message is explicit or implicit?

Just because a point has been inferred doesn't mean it was implied.

I dunno, Benny.  I think there is more than enough supporting evidence on Trump's record to make a reasonable inference regarding his ideologies.  If it walks like a duck...

[bennyboy]

Just because a point has been inferred doesn't mean it was implied.

I dunno, Benny.  I think there is more than enough supporting evidence on Trump's record to make a reasonable inference regarding his ideologies.  If it walks like a duck...

Yes, there's plenty of material in that regard.  And if Trump is that particular flavor of duck, and we can all see it, then that means that like 47% of American voters are willing to elect an obvious white supremacist.

But there's still a credible narrative.  It may be that Trump is just a rabid egomaniac, and that he would endorse the removal (and possible physical mistreatment) of ANYONE willing to interrupt or disagree with him.  It may be that he'd refuse to condemn ANY group willing to support him.  I'm pretty sure if Black Lives Matter officially endorsed Trump, he'd embrace them with open arms, tell everyone what noble Americans they were, and refuse to condemn them if they did anything wrong.

Now, that doesn't mean he's a good president, or even a competent one.  But I don't think the "both sides" comment was him saying white supremacists are a great bunch of guys and he fully supports them.  I think it's perfectly possible that he sees ALL forms of protest during his presidency, from any side, as an affront to his personal greatness, and he dislikes them all.

[Thumpalumpacus]

I honestly don't think it means anything on reflection.

The only people who like Nazis or sympathize wit them are themselves and most people hate them. So they are going nowhere

Aren't you the guy defending the Pope's opinion of NaZiism? I guess this post makes sense, in light of that.

[dyresand]

[Brian37]

You need to study world history before you say stupid shit like that. AGAIN, it does not have to be a majority for a minority to fuck things up for the majority. The only way they "don't go anywhere" is eternal vigilance. Again, lots of Germans long before Hitler had any power, when he first started making noise, lots of people also didn't take him seriously. 

I don't think there's anyone here, or in America, who doesn't take the actions and counteractions around white supremacists and race groups.  But what does Nazi Germnay tell you about how to act on the constitution and laws of the US?  Does it say if you distrust a group or disagree with them that they must be stopped at all costs?

Be careful with that sentiment, because if people on the streets or in forums get to decide who to put in a group and then marginalize, atheists are going to be a pretty easy target.

I have argued in the past that liberals and atheists should not go too far in demanding censorship. I stand by that statement. But we are not at a point in history where we have the luxury of ignoring these assholes because they have an asshole in the White House dog whistling at them.

I would love nothing more than to see a bunch of asshole make fools of themselves in public, but we cant afford to allow the same mindset that had the same power to lynch blacks with impunity and stack juries against them to rise to that level again. 

The KKK and Neo Nazis are ideologies that go against western pluralism. That is bad enough, but when politicians in seats of power wink at them, it has to be met with condemnation. 

Again, this is not about protecting offensive speech. Certainly we this website could be shut down if the far right had their say. This is about politics and political tactics and those ideologies gaining political power over time. 

I am for free speech, and protecting offensive speech, but when you show up with weapons of war that is no longer simply being offensive, that is an act of intimidation and shouting fire in a theater. 

`

[Amarok]

Nazi Germnay tell you about how to act on the constitution and laws of the US?  Does it say if you distrust a group or disagree with them that they must be stopped at all costs

That's actually what it teaches us .This has dick all to do with disagreement . This is not just a academic difference of opinion . This is evil vs not evil . And the stakes are civilization .

[LadyForCamus]

I dunno, Benny.  I think there is more than enough supporting evidence on Trump's record to make a reasonable inference regarding his ideologies.  If it walks like a duck...

Yes, there's plenty of material in that regard.  And if Trump is that particular flavor of duck, and we can all see it, then that means that like 47% of American voters are willing to elect an obvious white supremacist.

But there's still a credible narrative.  It may be that Trump is just a rabid egomaniac, and that he would endorse the removal (and possible physical mistreatment) of ANYONE willing to interrupt or disagree with him.  It may be that he'd refuse to condemn ANY group willing to support him.  I'm pretty sure if Black Lives Matter officially endorsed Trump, he'd embrace them with open arms, tell everyone what noble Americans they were, and refuse to condemn them if they did anything wrong.

Now, that doesn't mean he's a good president, or even a competent one.  But I don't think the "both sides" comment was him saying white supremacists are a great bunch of guys and he fully supports them.  I think it's perfectly possible that he sees ALL forms of protest during his presidency, from any side, as an affront to his personal greatness, and he dislikes them all.

I guess I just wonder, as far as the message it sends to his alt. Right base, what practical difference there is between a Trump-approved thumbs up to the KKK, and a glaringly absent passionate stance against them.   I don't think Trump's personal motives are relevant..  The effect his words (or lack there of) and actions have on his base, and society at large are pretty much the same whether he's a real racist or a pretend one.

Just my humble opinion.  😎

[Thumpalumpacus]

I guess I just wonder, as far as the message it sends to his alt. Right base, what practical difference there is between a Trump-approved thumbs up to the KKK, and a glaringly absent passionate stance against them.   I don't think Trump's personal motives are relevant..  The effect his words (or lack there of) and actions have on his base, and society at large are pretty much the same whether he's real racist or a fake one.

Just my humble opinion.  😎

In the wake of Charlottesville, I heard a couple of online posts read on the news making this point: "He didn't criticize us, this is a signal."