# Antifas - The largely imaginary boogeyman of the far right **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 2, 2017, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antifas-the-largely-imaginary-boogeyman-of-the-far-right/790354 "2017-07-02T15:01:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2017, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antifas-the-largely-imaginary-boogeyman-of-the-far-right/790354/41 "2017-07-04T21:39:25Z")
> [@](#): > > I had an Aunty Fascism. She was a bit of a wild one. She gave you a toy train, but insisted that it had to run on time? ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2017, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antifas-the-largely-imaginary-boogeyman-of-the-far-right/790354/42 "2017-07-04T22:14:11Z")
Darn. Wish I’d thought to as earlier that at least anti-fascism is an anti-ethos. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2017, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antifas-the-largely-imaginary-boogeyman-of-the-far-right/790354/43 "2017-07-04T22:47:04Z")
> [@E-DUB](#): > > Rick Kitchen wrote: “What do you have against anti-fascism?” Nothing, as a pholosophy. Although, I am leery, generally speaking, against defining ones self negatively. (IE: By what you’re not.) > > . Like the French Resistance? ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2017, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antifas-the-largely-imaginary-boogeyman-of-the-far-right/790354/44 "2017-07-04T22:53:11Z")
_It’s only water In a stranger’s tear Looks are deceptive But distinctions are clear A foreign body And a foreign mind Never welcome In the land of the blind You may look like we do Talk like we do But you know how it is You’re not one of us Not one of us No you’re not one of us Not one of us Not one of us No you’re not one of us_ ---
**Author:** ![Stringbean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Stringbean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stringbean)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antifas-the-largely-imaginary-boogeyman-of-the-far-right/790354/45 "2017-07-05T00:59:12Z")
There’s videos of people representing Antifa deliberately provoking violence at protests/rallies. Unless my imagination fails me. All it really takes a swift condemnation and we can begin the discussion on how big a concern they should be. Which, in the grand scale, they’re not a huge concern. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antifas-the-largely-imaginary-boogeyman-of-the-far-right/790354/46 "2017-07-05T01:25:00Z")
> [@Stringbean](#): > > There’s videos of people representing Antifa deliberately provoking violence at protests/rallies. Unless my imagination fails me. > > … What kinds of protests/rallies might these be? You have a link, maybe? ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antifas-the-largely-imaginary-boogeyman-of-the-far-right/790354/47 "2017-07-05T01:31:27Z")
And how can we tell the difference between these guys and rightie imposters? I mean, don’t they all wear those masks? ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antifas-the-largely-imaginary-boogeyman-of-the-far-right/790354/48 "2017-07-05T01:38:39Z")
> [@Stringbean](#): > > All it really takes a swift condemnation and we can begin the discussion on how big a concern they should be. Which, in the grand scale, they’re not a huge concern. So you haven’t been reading the thread, or you’re demanding a very specifically worded condemnation from everyone else? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antifas-the-largely-imaginary-boogeyman-of-the-far-right/790354/49 "2017-07-05T02:10:45Z")
[https://www.njhomelandsecurity.gov/analysis/anarchist-extremists-antifa?rq=Anti](https://www.njhomelandsecurity.gov/analysis/anarchist-extremists-antifa?rq=Anti) Looks like someone didn’t read your thread. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antifas-the-largely-imaginary-boogeyman-of-the-far-right/790354/50 "2017-07-05T02:16:41Z")
> [@Projammer](#): > > New Jersey has classified [Antifas as Domestic Terrorists](https://www.njhomelandsecurity.gov/analysis/anarchist-extremists-antifa?rq=antifa), so not entirely an imaginary boogeyman it seems. > [@Loach](#): > > [https://www.njhomelandsecurity.gov/analysis/anarchist-extremists-antifa?rq=Anti](https://www.njhomelandsecurity.gov/analysis/anarchist-extremists-antifa?rq=Anti) > > Looks like someone didn’t read your thread. It seems so. ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antifas-the-largely-imaginary-boogeyman-of-the-far-right/790354/51 "2017-07-05T10:43:11Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > _It’s only water > In a stranger’s tear > Looks are deceptive > But distinctions are clear > A foreign body > And a foreign mind > Never welcome > In the land of the blind > You may look like we do > Talk like we do > But you know how it is > You’re not one of us > Not one of us > No you’re not one of us > Not one of us > Not one of us > No you’re not one of us_ Love that album. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antifas-the-largely-imaginary-boogeyman-of-the-far-right/790354/52 "2017-07-05T12:57:49Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > [https://www.njhomelandsecurity.gov/analysis/anarchist-extremists-antifa?rq=Anti](https://www.njhomelandsecurity.gov/analysis/anarchist-extremists-antifa?rq=Anti) > > Looks like someone didn’t read your thread. I have no sympathy for any violent organization, but your link shows about eight or ten incidents in which antifa groups either had street fights with white supremacists, or otherwise acted like jerks towards similar sort of organizations. I think there’s an idea in conservative circles that these knuckleheads are making plots against, say, David Brooks-type people. Again, I thoroughly condemn this group (and I’m horrified by that dude in Berkeley who smashed somebody’s head in a sneak attack with a bike lock – absolutely revolting), but I think there is some degree of hysteria here. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antifas-the-largely-imaginary-boogeyman-of-the-far-right/790354/53 "2017-07-05T14:18:14Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > I have no sympathy for any violent organization, but your link shows about eight or ten incidents in which antifa groups either had street fights with white supremacists, or otherwise acted like jerks towards similar sort of organizations. > > I think there’s an idea in conservative circles that these knuckleheads are making plots against, say, David Brooks-type people. Again, I thoroughly condemn this group (and I’m horrified by that dude in Berkeley who smashed somebody’s head in a sneak attack with a bike lock – absolutely revolting), but I think there is some degree of hysteria here. Hell, I condemn them just for that stupid abbreviation. What, pronouncing the “scist” part is too many letters for you? ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antifas-the-largely-imaginary-boogeyman-of-the-far-right/790354/54 "2017-07-05T15:14:23Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > I think there’s an idea in conservative circles that these knuckleheads are making plots against, say, David Brooks-type people. Again, I thoroughly condemn this group (and I’m horrified by that dude in Berkeley who smashed somebody’s head in a sneak attack with a bike lock – absolutely revolting), but I think there is some degree of hysteria here. That’s the thing. Fights with racists and alt-right assholes and they’re trying to make it sound like these people are the enemy of all mankind. No, they’re enemies of the far right assholes who are terrified that they can’t just march around carrying guns, hanging a black president in effigy and making offensive and threatening statements IN PEACE!!! What precious little snowflakes! ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antifas-the-largely-imaginary-boogeyman-of-the-far-right/790354/55 "2017-07-05T15:21:12Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > Hell, I condemn them just for that stupid abbreviation. What, pronouncing the “scist” part is too many letters for you? Plus, how the fuck do you say it? AN-tie-fah? AN-tee-fah? an-TEE-fah? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antifas-the-largely-imaginary-boogeyman-of-the-far-right/790354/56 "2017-07-05T15:24:41Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > Plus, how the fuck do you say it? AN-tie-fah? AN-tee-fah? an-TEE-fah? Huh. I pronounce it an-ti-FAH. But how would I know? ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antifas-the-largely-imaginary-boogeyman-of-the-far-right/790354/57 "2017-07-05T15:32:15Z")
**Loach** ’s link leads to an interesting placemat chart that summarizes domestic terrorism events. I’m not minimizing antifa in any way, shape or form, but it is an interesting look at what fringe groups take to violence and how they carry it out. [https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54d79f88e4b0db3478a04405/t/591b3e7886e6c06246aa4c22/1494957697235/Domestic+Terrorism+-+2015-Present+-+Targets+and+Methods.pdf](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54d79f88e4b0db3478a04405/t/591b3e7886e6c06246aa4c22/1494957697235/Domestic+Terrorism+-+2015-Present+-+Targets+and+Methods.pdf) ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antifas-the-largely-imaginary-boogeyman-of-the-far-right/790354/58 "2017-07-05T16:27:05Z")
> [@smithsb](#): > > “Quote: > A park officer saved Hornberger’s life by quickly applying a tourniquet to his leg to stop the bleeding, according to media reports.” > How close to the neck did he apply the tourniquet? 😉 Not close enough? ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antifas-the-largely-imaginary-boogeyman-of-the-far-right/790354/59 "2017-07-05T16:34:35Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > That’s the thing. Fights with racists and alt-right assholes and they’re trying to make it sound like these people are the enemy of all mankind. No, they’re enemies of the far right assholes who are terrified that they can’t just march around carrying guns, hanging a black president in effigy and making offensive and threatening statements IN PEACE!!! > > What precious little snowflakes! That sounds about right. They want to have their little mini\_Kristalnacht rallies, hang folks in effigy, talk trash about applying “second amendment solutions” everywhere, and threatening about “impending civil war if they don’t get their way” … But give just a little hint of possible opposition and they shit their pants. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2017, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antifas-the-largely-imaginary-boogeyman-of-the-far-right/790354/60 "2017-07-05T17:56:21Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > Hell, I condemn them just for that stupid abbreviation. What, pronouncing the “scist” part is too many letters for you? The Europeans used it first. It’s probably an attempt to use a unified name across multiple languages. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antifas-the-largely-imaginary-boogeyman-of-the-far-right/790354.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antifas-the-largely-imaginary-boogeyman-of-the-far-right/790354.md?page=4)