KKK holds march in Virginia town

If there was any confusion over the fact that the only purpose of open carry is public intimidation, this should remove it for you.

Freedom of speech for all, even when I really don't like what you have to say.

The alternative to freedom of speech is much worse.

Critics say the far right, both here and across the United States, has been energized by Donald Trump's election to the presidency.

Here in Japan, all you need to do is read posts on this site to see this. The US has always been a violent nation. Each year gun nuts and extremists of all sorts, especially the white (and other assorted) authoritarian nationalists, are making it even more so.

The US needs to send its military forces home to look out for and protect its peace loving citizens from the hundreds of 'armed militias' - and the rogue whackos who think the only way to resolve differences is by shooting someone.

Here in Japan, all you need to do is read posts on this site to see this. The US has always been a violent nation. Each year gun nuts and extremists of all sorts, especially the white (and other assorted) authoritarian nationalists, are making it even more so. 

Are we making this a race issue once again? 

The US needs to send its military forces home to look out for and protect its peace loving citizens from the hundreds of 'armed militias' - and the rogue whackos who think the only way to resolve differences is by shooting someone.

You are joking, right?

What gets me about stories like these is that the Klan is a small and "almost" obsolete organization, irrelevant, I've covered Klan rallies in the past in CA. WA. and OR. and there were not thousands of people attending these rallies, if they can get 100 then they're having a good day. These people are a joke and a former image of themselves when they used to hold considerable power and influence as they did back from the 1920's until the 1960's. Personally, I find these idiots funny to watch and take themselves so seriously.

Prove it.

How many Klan rallies did you hear of within the last 2 months that had over 100 people? LOL

As an active participant, or for a Klan based outlet? ROFL

Dunno, PT...the way the left constantly talk about race, I think it would be more accurate to think you guys could be curious participants? LOL

Not in the least bit funny for those opposed to racism of any sort.

I had NO idea the left was opposed to racism, they keep bringing it up constantly and then are ready to call every white person a racist, make them feel like they are racist if it involves people of color for whatever reason and especially the last 8 years liberals outplayed and overplayed the racist card. So let me ask you does racism fall in the lap of White people or can minorities be racist as well?

You've taken the sheet off your face at last. I find those idiots sick.

Hmmm...I'm still waiting for you libs to take your sheets off.

I don't like these nut jobs than anyone else, but these are not the 1930's when they were a very powerful, influential and formidable organization. They are a joke, a serious joke, but let's not stop there, the Antifa gangs and the anti-globalists are equally as bad and violent and seeing this time after time in protests, these people pull no punches and would harm anyone that doesn't subscribe to their worldview points.

Why would any pro-Confederate statue want to be associated with the KKK

The KKK are white supremacist, and racist and should not be defended by anyone, even by dismissing them by stating they are no longer important or not in the number they once where.

So basically, deny them the freedom of speech, No matter how crude and vile it is. You are on a slippery slope with that, be careful. 

Joe Crow's ghost is still there for many Americans.

Where?

The views of the KKK are never a joke and too many white Americans who are not KKK members hold the same racist views.

Then how was it, this country was able to elect a Black president, put two Blacks on the Supreme Court, allow Rap music to become the second largest music in sales after Country music. If there are so many Whites that hold racist views like that, how can these things happen. No country in the world can a Black man in a predominantly White society be elevated to the presidency or PM except in the US. You guys need to seriously quit with that nonsense!

bass4funkToday  10:20 am JST

Then how was it, this country was able to ... put two Blacks on the Supreme Court

Chjrist, you do realize we don't vote for SCOTUS justices, don't you?

...allow Rap music to become the second largest music in sales after Country music. If there are so many Whites that hold racist views like that, how can these things happen.

Wow. Just wow.

So not only do you think rap music is black, apparently, but you also think racism can only exist in a society where the discriminated group is so victimized that they are incapable of any form of cultural expression.

Chjrist, you do realize we don't vote for SCOTUS justices, don't you?

Of course, I do. So then how can these Black men get appointed and pass any confirmation hearing if Whites are so racists?

So not only do you think rap music is black,

Because it was created in the streets of NY. I'm sorry, that's something to be ashamed of? Or is implying that racist?

apparently, but you also think racism can only exist in a society where the discriminated group is so victimized that they are incapable of any form of cultural expression.

There's a difference between cultural expression and calling for war against the police, use the race card for victimization and aligning with people that love and benefit from the race grievance industry like, Al Sharpton.

Are we making this a race issue once again?

It's the KKK; what else is there?

No country in the world can a Black man in a predominantly White society be elevated to the presidency or PM except in the US. You guys need to seriously quit with that nonsense!

Like Ireland just did a couple of weeks ago? Not only of Indian heritage but openly gay.

allow Rap music to become the second largest music in sales after Country music.

Allow? How gracious of you. Rap/hip hop has crossed all boundaries. Just like country music. Ray Charles did a country and western album.

As for Jim Crow, I recommend the excellent "Slavery by Another Name" by Douglas A Blackmon.

"Statues can be good history, they can be bad history -- you may not like it and you may love it, but it's history," he said.

Tend to agree with that and would also oppose the removal of the statue. I want to see paintings, photos, sculptures, watch docos/footages, read books of all ppl who made history, good or bad. Add (or change if there already is one) an epitaph 'clarifying' what Lee did and/or that the statue is in no way an endorsement of Lee's accomplishments.

Leave book-burning, destruction of sculptures & statues to nazis, talibans etc

bass4funkToday  10:46 am JST

So then how can these Black men get appointed and pass any confirmation hearing if Whites are so racists?

Do you have so little regard for the intelligence of other posters here? Zichi made a perfectly reasonable comment, "too many white Americans who are not KKK members hold the same racist views," which you are trying to pretend can be disproven if even one black person gets a powerful job for any reason.

Because it was created in the streets of NY. I'm sorry, that's something to be ashamed of? Or is implying that racist?

Shame has nothing to do with it. Cultural movements are not ethnic groups and do not belong to ethnic groups. Welcome to the 21st century, where "rap" is only code for "black" in a Bill O'Reilly racial tirade.

There's a difference between cultural expression and calling for war against the police, use the race card for victimization and aligning with people that love and benefit from the race grievance industry like, Al Sharpton.

Another non-sequiter retort from bass4funk, but let's take a moment to deconstruct it. You alleged that zichi's comment that too many white people are racist couldn't be true because rap music is popular. I pointed out how absurd your response is because it implies if anyone appreciates the music you mistakenly identified as "black", that there must not be any racism.

To which you apparently thought the best response was this nonsense about war against the police and Al Sharpton.

We could get into your choice of Al Sharpton as a boogieman, how that dates you and how crazy out-of-touch your concept of black America is if he is your biggest concern. We could get into how racist it is that you used a vague implication of "war against the police" as though all black people supported it. We could get into all of that, but we don't need to.

*Because in a thread about the KKK, when confronted by a false statement you had made, instead of apologizing, instead of owning up to your error, or instead of making a clarification to show you weren't in error, you tried to turn the tables by attacking black people collectively. *To defend your argument that too many whites weren't racist, you chose to attack a race.

Oh, the birthers, sorry KKK, having a day out.

Trash.

"to protest the planned removal of a statue of General Robert E. Lee"

These statues should have never been constructed but when you allow slave owners and their ilk to continue this ignorance and stupidity this is the result.

IF you needed a better reason to remove the statues, the KKK support for them delivers it!

Do you have so little regard for the intelligence of other posters here? Zichi made a perfectly reasonable comment, "too many white Americans who are not KKK members hold the same racist views," which you are trying to pretend can be disproven if even one black person gets a powerful job for any reason.

Excellent posts; both yours and Zichi's.

I think I'm finally getting an idea of what the far right actually mean when they say "Make America Great Again" and it churns my stomach.

Leave book-burning, destruction of sculptures & statues to nazis, talibans etc

Spot on. If there is one attack on the modern left which I agree with, it's the attempt by some on the left to employ the kind of tactics employed by theocrats and dictators.

Trying to make everything sweet and sanitary is useless, and just winds trash like this up while giving them the valid argument of freedom of speech to throw at you,

Is this piece a "news report" or "op-ed"?

The KKK is a joke. It's only use is to give SJWs something to fear.

Trying to make everything sweet and sanitary is useless, and just winds trash like this up while giving them the valid argument of freedom of speech to throw at you,

Kinda, yeah. But when you get filth like holocaust deniers or a pro-paedophile party (in the Netherlands) you have to wonder where you (might) draw the line.

Extremely difficult, emotive and exasperating subject.

Okay guys hey how about this. How about stop worrying about a stupid statue because it's just a statue. Are you forgetting the freedom of expression laws that you have in the good ol' USA. The KKK can put a statue of Hitler if they want to,it's what freedom is about. of course that also gives us the right to tell them what stupid morons they are

Are you forgetting the freedom of expression laws that you have in the good ol' USA.

Am constantly being reminded of it on a daily basis, despite not being from round those parts!

The KKK can put a statue of Hitler if they want to,it's what freedom is about. of course that also gives us the right to tell them what stupid morons they are

Indeed. I'd rather see memorials to all those who have suffered at the hands of the Klan and subsequent racist organisations, mind...

@billM The KKK is a joke. It's only use is to give SJWs something to fear.

The KKK and other white supremacists murdered Blacks, Jews, immigrants and Whites they differed with. They have a hideous history. Today they and other neo-nazi groups are heavily armed. They're dangerous in every way. They are NOT a joke.

While I wouldn't defend General Lee for a moment, it has to wondered what other statues could come under threat from those looking to sanitize.

Jefferson kept slaves. FDR ordered the internment of Japanese Americans. Churchill ordered the use of poison gas on civilians. Marie Stopes' writing on eugenics is pretty much what the Nazis said.

Would it be case of someone's good sides outweighing their bad or judging them by the standards of their time?

Most importantly, who would you trust to decide who is deserving of a statue or should have one removed? Can anyone come up with a name?

Just because America elects a black president, also aided by a large black vote does not indicate that the country is racist free.

I never said it was racist free, but outright racist, No, if it were Obama would never have made it to the highest office in the country.

Somewhat amazing you are using Obama to support your opinions when you have expressed so much against him and his policies.

Not opinions and it has nothing to with anything other than the Obama presidency showed us that we are not a racist nation anymore.

There are more than two million Americans in prisons, one of the highest populations in the world. Disportionate numbers of non whites found guilty and imprisoned.

And you are trying to insinuate, all the charges are trumped up bogus charges?

Disportionate number of non whites finding themselves at the wrong end of a gun.

Guess you don't remember the likes of Dylann Roof, the white supremacist, who shot and murdered nine church goers just because they were black.

Ok, what about in Chicago there were 60 murders just this week. Who was the cause of that and the crime rate in South Chicago predominantly?

White supremacism is domestic terrorism.

Yes, it is and No one is disputing that, but with the numbers as small as they are, I was surprised to see a story about this on JT.

You tried to whitewash the KKK and white supremacism by suggesting its no longer important or in large numbers.

Correct.

The likes of Black Lives Matter would seriously disagree with all of your opinions of the issues of the KKK and white supremacism.

The BLM can disagree as much as they want, to many Americans, they are a racially motivated terrorist group insightings riots and that are responsible (indirectly) for the 18% spike increase in deadly assaults towards police officers.

You have also in previous comments expressed some racist opinions like about Chicago and one parent black families and those on benefits.

I am not a racist, never said anything racist and I despise them just like you would, but I'm not stupid and think that racism is regulated to Whites only.

Freedom of speech is important but also hate speech and racism also need to be wiped out.

Ok, so you believe in fascism as well.

I guess from your opinions you must be white so never suffered from the racism.

I never said, I was White. Don't assume and please don't stereotype or pigeonhole people. That in itself could be misconstrued as racist.

The University of Virginia in Charlottesville accepts donations from the KKK.

And?

Readers, please stop bickering. Focus your comments on the story and not at each other.

Well, the thing is the Klan is a former shadow of itself and not as relevant and influential as they once were. Even though, Robert E. Lee was a very controversial figure in history, he was nonetheless an important figure and I don't really approve of them removing the statutes because it seems we are now trying to whitewash history as if it never happened, you don't have to honor these people, but if we don't want to make the same mistakes of the past, I think it's very important for future generations to know the tragedies through history. What's next, we have to remove all of Columbus's statues as well?

The ad said dozens, I have NEVER seen a Klan rally that exceeded over 100. I think we're giving these people too much unnecessary credit.

I think I'm finally getting an idea of what the far right actually mean when they say "Make America Great Again" and it churns my stomach.

The first KKK protest in 2015 against taking down the Confederate flag in SC was organized before Trump even announced for president. It was also larger than the one today.

The BLM can disagree as much as they want, to many Americans, they are a racially motivated terrorist group insightings riots and that are responsible (indirectly) for the 18% spike increase in deadly assaults towards police officers.

Wow. So, it's not the KKK people should be concerned about - it's a organisation that is a response to the racist police forces and white nationalists. The real enemy is; wait for it - organised black people.

too many white Americans who are not KKK members hold the same racist views

Quantify "too many" and give your source, please. And let me preempt "One is too many". That's trite.

Hopefully, folks realize that the KKK wasn't just anti-black, but they are against all sorts of "whites" too.

For example, they are:

anti-immigrant, Anti-Catholic, prohibitionist and anti-Semitic agenda

As a reformed Catholic, I take offense.

But just because I don't like what they have to say, doesn't mean I won't honor their right to say it, in public.

Every country has racists.

Just out of interest, what's Japan's equivalent to the KKK - if there is such a thing ?

bass4funk: "Well, the thing is the Klan is a former shadow of itself and not as relevant and influential as they once were."

And when was the last time they came out in the open like this before Trump? Fact is, they are his fan base, and he only spoke out against David Duke supporting him after overwhelming pressure. He doesn't care who they are or what they believe in, so long as they praise him and flatter him. They may not be what they were when lynching was acceptable, no, but they are getting back there little by little, and you support the same man as they do and allows it to happen.

Quantify "too many" and give your source, please. And let me preempt "One is too many". That's trite.

This hate map from the Southern Poverty Law Center might answer your question showing 917 hate groups. In Virginia there are more than 30 hate groups. Then there's the alt-right movement which gave loud vocal support to the Trump campaign.

https://www.splcenter.org/hate-map

Posters might be interested in this article in National Review by David French (July 13, 2017) in which he says that the SPLC ("splcenter") has gone beyond its founders' mandate by redefining "hate group".

The article: "The Southern Poverty Law Center Has Become a Dangerous Joke".