A Unite the Right rally at Emancipation Park in Charlottesville,Virginia has ripped the lid off the racism simmering across the United States since the election of Donald Trump and the rise of the Alt.Right.
It turned into a showdown between white supremacist/nationalist groups and protesters that broke out in fights and, at one point, a very deliberate attack when a man drove a car into a street full of anti-right protesters.
The most depressing aspect has been the reaction to the videos on YouTube where the events are being live streamed. The rightwing hatred and fury is visceral in the hideous remarks being left on these sites. There's an animalistic viciousness to it.
The Cheeto Benito, unable to ignore the outrage, is expected to give a statement from his hidey-hole golf resort.
Update: Donald J. Trump, America's divider-in-chief, went before the cameras to urge Americans to "love each other" while maintaining that everyone is to blame for the atrocity at Charlottesville. I was going to post a video of his remarks but it was so dripping with insincerity and hypocrisy that my computer won't load it.
Your link is already blocked. I think Youtube is cleaning up. Credit is due for removing the hate.
ReplyDeleteI know it is easy to blame trumpf for this but as the coarseness of society is becoming the norm and decorum is a forgotten thing people now take pride in being "frank" and givng vent to to things best left unsaid.
ReplyDeleteI believe that society has itself to blame and us good mannered and polite people can tut tut all the way to the bank but those nasty hillbillies will spew venom; the only thing is that now it is acceptable in some circles.
I really don't know wha the answer is but allowing these hatemongers to parade and incite, for whatever reason to get away with it isn't it. Charge as many of the identifiable protesters, from both sides, with hate speech, as opposed to "free speech" then perhaps we can bring this festering mess to a head.
But with repug judges I won't hold my breath for a decent verdict.
I disagree, Ben. How can you indict those who turn out to protest rascists for "hate speech"? That makes no sense. Bear this in mind. After Trump's incredibly hypocritical and ambiguous remarks, former KKK leader David Duke, who was at the rally, put Trump on notice, writing, " “I would recommend you take a good look in the mirror & remember it was White Americans who put you in the presidency, not radical leftists.”
ReplyDeleteThe governor of Virginia denounced the Alt.Right thugs as "racists and Nazis." At least he had the courage and decency to stand up for them instead of Trump who, like you, held them all to blame.
"I disagree, Ben. How can you indict those who turn out to protest rascists for "hate speech"? "
ReplyDeleteI am not taking sides on this one and to believe that only one side uses hate speech is naive. Take the high road Mound and look at what was said and if hate speech occurred then prosecute. I am not judging this one event, although it is easy to look at the results and condemn the 'alt-right'
Hate-speech prosecutions should be neutral to the faction expressing it. Prosecute them all. In Charlottesville it is obvious who were the racebaiters and they should be punished.
Actually, Ben, this is one of those moments when you do take sides. Standing up for civil and human rights is not hate speech. Demonstrating against the Klan isn't either. Attacking clergy, well that's probably some sort of hate crime at least in my book. We do not agree.
ReplyDeleteWithout being a pedant all I can say is that being on the right side against all of the opponents you describe does not justify the use of hate speech, if it is used, otherwise we do agree
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