Fair comment or apologist for Nazis or Nazi himself?

Donald Trump has condemned the "egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence on many sides" during clashes between white supremacists and anti-fascist protesters in Virginia.

In a speech, the US President did not specifically condemn the far-right groups who gathered in Charlottesville — including some carrying assault rifles and wearing paramilitary-style clothing — to protest about plans to remove a statue to Confederate General Robert E Lee.

Instead he appeared to apportion blame to all those involved in the fighting.

Statue controversy
In February, the city council narrowly voted to remove and sell the Robert E Lee statue, and to rename the park in which it stands from Lee Park to Emancipation Park. This was the culmination of a campaign to remove the statue started by a local high school student, Zyahna Bryant.

It was part of a wave of such removals of Confederate monuments across the south, which began after Dylann Roof massacred nine African American churchgoers in Charleston, South Carolina.

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squidgy · 36-40, F

I have mixed feelings about removing our past. England has a lovely way of sweeping their past (ie: genocide of countless Irish Catholics. Destruction of Catholic churches etc etc etc) "under the rug". They do not speak of it. They opt to smuggly harbor their detest for anyone who tries to defect (Scotland take heed)

I do not find this behavior honorable.

Germany lives with their errors on a daily basis. Signs are placed where countless Jews lived and thrived. They feel that if the errors of their past are not learned, they are bound to repeat them.

Bricks and mortar do not have power. It's the importance we place on these monuments that have power.

As a society we should learn from our past > by starting to rewrite our history books < with the truth.

Truth trumps hate. (Clinton was wrong)

sogdianrock · 61-69, M

hi squidgy
Even in England change happens! Museums detail the slave trade and Prime Minster Blaire even apologised for the Irish Famine. This removal of statues is a part of an awakening in all civilised countries about their uncivilised past.
There is only the truth of ideology. We always interpret the past and choose what we wish. I am content that at least History is debated but in so far as government building and statues are concerned do not champion evil.
Best wishes
:)

squidgy · 36-40, F

@sogdianrock

It's called Hibernophobia and it is seeped into British culture. If you cannot see it, it means it does not pertain to you.

Erasing monuments and churches does not eliminate hatred - Only the truth does.

The monarchy has never apologized for the countless deaths it has inflicted on civilizations around the world.

“You can’t trust the Irish, they are all liars.”
— Margaret Thatcher, to Peter Mandelson

"Our ancestors cut a civilisation out of the bogs and meadows of this country while Mr Haughey's ancestors were wearing pig skins and living in caves."

Dr. Ian Kyle Paisley, 1981.

sogdianrock · 61-69, M

hi squidgy ·
I was a student of John Maclean and James Comnnoly.

John Maclean (14 August 1879 – 30 November 1923) was a Scottish schoolteacher and revolutionary socialist of the Red Clydeside era.

He was notable for his outspoken opposition to the First World War, which caused his arrest under the Defence of the Realm Act and loss of his teaching post, after which he became a full-time Marxist lecturer and organiser. In April 1918 he was arrested for sedition, and his 75-minute speech from the dock became a celebrated text for Scottish left-wingers. He was sentenced to five years’ penal servitude, but was released after the November armistice.

Maclean believed that Scottish workers were especially fitted to lead the revolution, and talked of "Celtic communism", inspired by clan spirit. But his launch of a Scottish Workers Republican Party and a Scottish Communist Party were largely unsuccessful. Although he had been appointed Bolshevik representative in Scotland, he was not in harmony with the Communist Party of Great Britain, even though it had absorbed the British Socialist Party, to which he had belonged. In captivity, Maclean had been on hunger strike, and prolonged force-feeding had permanently affected his health. He collapsed during a speech and died of pneumonia, aged forty-four.

James Connolly (Irish: Séamas Ó Conghaile;[1] 5 June 1868 – 12 May 1916) was a Scottish-born Irish republican and socialist leader, aligned to syndicalism and De Leonism.

He was born in the Cowgate area of Edinburgh, Scotland, to Irish-born parents. He left school for working life at the age of 11, but became one of the leading Marxist theorists of his day. He also took a role in Scottish and American politics. He was executed by a British firing squad because of his leadership role in the Easter Rising of 1916.

I do not suffer from Hibernophobia.
Best wishes
:)

squidgy · 36-40, F

@sogdianrock I did not think you did ☺

sogdianrock · 61-69, M

hi squidgy
I am proud you find me so.
Best wishes
:)