Does anyone else think Trump has a point?

I wasn't suggesting there was a 'moral equivalence' mayreliza - far from it. I was suggesting that violence is violence wherever it comes from.

I do think people have a right to object to statues being pulled down as no 'side' should feel it owns history - it happened and I find that there are shades of Nineteen Eighty-Four in the attempts to change it.

Well there is the first amendment of course, but I don't think it covers all freedoms like obscenity and I suppose incitement to riot but I'm not clear and would have to look it up.

Yes ww I agree with your post. There is no moral equivalence between the two sides. DT said there were 'fine' people on both sides - there is no such thing as a 'fine' white supremacists. We also have to be aware of the terrible terrible and recent legacy of the fight for integration in the South - still not achieved. It's heartening that so many others , including leading Republicsns, have come out firmly against him. No one would condone violence or law breaking on either side but on one side it would be more understandable as they were on the defensive.

As I almost disagree with myself I am happy to hear others views whitewave. I do believe that there is no place for violence from anyone - whatever their view - and taking statues down which are part of the history of the country will not help.

We do have banned organisations here so I wonder if they do in the USA.

I think we already ban hate speech Baggs and I am sure that here this would be used. However, this is the USA so I am not about to tell them what to do.

I am concerned about the 'safe-space' movement on campuses too. Hate speech should be outlawed but people should be able to hear someone else's point of view.

gg I am afraid I have to entirely disagree with you on this.

Nazis and their evil should never be tolerated. They arrived in Charlottesville looking like a small army with uniforms and guns.
They spread hatred and division wherever they go. Nothing in their ideology is either rational or acceptable.They are responsible for injury and death.

As nationalists they feel that they are superior and entitled to rule the country in which they live, regardless of other ethnicities past history or land ownership.

Undoubtedly there was defensive violence from those opposed to their views, which to my mind are all right thinking people. I would not apologise for wanting to defend the right of all people to live in peace and harmony.

Trump is wrong, practically the whole of America thinks he is wrong. I hope he rues the day he ever said what he said.

Clearly Trump supports the white supremacists as many of his voters come from that section of society.

The white supremacists were there to demonstrate against the removal of a statue of slaver Robert E Lee. There was a counter-demonstration against them

Surely it's not about being 'even handed' - White supremacists, nazis, KKK must not be given the opportunity to air their vile views unchallenged.

The news report showed them (white supremacists) turning up armed with guns, shields, clubs and wearing riot-style clothing. They were clearly not there for a peaceful demonstration.

I applaud the brave people who had the courage to make a stand against them.

If you ban them they'll carry on underground and out of sight. Better to have the devil in full view, I think.

I saw another point made recently, which is that KKK types and Nazi sympathisers have become more active of late because of Antifa, some of whom have also behaved like thugs on university campuses, for instance.