# Okay, now it's time to put antifa in the same class as racists **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 28, 2017, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-now-its-time-to-put-antifa-in-the-same-class-as-racists/794922 "2017-08-28T10:38:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-now-its-time-to-put-antifa-in-the-same-class-as-racists/794922/81 "2017-08-29T08:10:38Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > I agree that those who use militarized violence are very bad, and I stand against them as well. I can understand a small bit of violence (shoving, hitting) when tempers are high, even though I don’t condone it. But this is beyond that. It is bad. > > That said, I don’t think it fits to lump them in with racists. Those Nazis that did this were horrible, too. But their underlying ideology is worse, I think. Basically, they have racism on top of all the other bad things these Black Block or whatever people had. > > So they still are at least somewhat better. But I still completely condemn them. Maybe such tactics might be appropriate in an actual fascist dictatorship, as a form of revolution. But were aren’t there yet. > > Still, I wholeheartedly condemn those who came with the full intent of wanton violence. I condemn those who come with weapons and the intent to start shit. The side you are on doesn’t matter. The Nazi’s stated underlying ideology is worse in comparison to antifa’s publicly stated underlying ideology. Yes, we can agree on that. But what is antifa’s end goal? If it is a form of left wing radicalism like communism it’s just as bad as fascism. Anyways, political violence in a nation like the USA is unnecessary and counterproductive. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 9:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-now-its-time-to-put-antifa-in-the-same-class-as-racists/794922/82 "2017-08-29T09:39:45Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > But that was after I answered his question and he got all agitated about my answer. Like I said, it’s not my fault if he asked the wrong question. Further, if I put these three folks out there in a three about today’s fringe politics, which one doesn’t belong: > > Dylan Roof > Ted Kaczynski (aka, Unibomber) > David Berkowitz (aka, Son of Sam) I admit I expressed myself poorly, but I think you know what I meant. You did get to nitpick something, however, and for you that’s like having multiple orgasms. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 10:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-now-its-time-to-put-antifa-in-the-same-class-as-racists/794922/83 "2017-08-29T10:21:04Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > But what is antifa’s end goal? If it is a form of left wing radicalism like communism it’s just as bad as fascism. Our end goal is to prevent fascism from taking hold in this country. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-now-its-time-to-put-antifa-in-the-same-class-as-racists/794922/84 "2017-08-29T10:45:26Z")
THey make that more likely if it comes down to who has the best street thugs. Last time lefties duked it out in the streets with gangs of fascists it went badly for them. ---
**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:** [August 29, 2017, 10:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-now-its-time-to-put-antifa-in-the-same-class-as-racists/794922/85 "2017-08-29T10:58:42Z")
**Okay, now it’s time to put antifa in the same class as racists** Why must you tie them to racists? Can’t you oppose them on their own merits? ---
**Author:** ![WillFarnaby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/willfarnaby/32/514_2.png) [@WillFarnaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WillFarnaby)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-now-its-time-to-put-antifa-in-the-same-class-as-racists/794922/86 "2017-08-29T11:02:12Z")
> [@snoe](#): > > Totally curious about your non-cherry-picked take on the questions at hand. > > Are most of us on both sides “statists?” “Demotists?” > > And how do you, an as-I-understand-it pretty-radical-libertarian, feel about the conflict between full-on anarchists and full-on Nazis, when they’re brawling in the streets? Which side are you ON? The streets should be privately owned and owners should be free to expel anyone they want. Problem solved. Both sides are the Mob. Remember the Mob? ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-now-its-time-to-put-antifa-in-the-same-class-as-racists/794922/87 "2017-08-29T11:03:12Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > **Okay, now it’s time to put antifa in the same class as racists** > > Why must you tie them to racists? Can’t you oppose them on their own merits? Not tie them to racists, just note that their level of violence is similar, and if they keep this up will soon easily outpace the racists. ---
**Author:** ![WillFarnaby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/willfarnaby/32/514_2.png) [@WillFarnaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WillFarnaby)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-now-its-time-to-put-antifa-in-the-same-class-as-racists/794922/88 "2017-08-29T11:06:27Z")
The groups we see fighting are tips of the icebergs. The antifa are the tip of liberal/progressive America, and the white supremacists are the tip of conservative/Republican America. They are all the Mob, aka the democratic electorate. ---
**Author:** ![WillFarnaby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/willfarnaby/32/514_2.png) [@WillFarnaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WillFarnaby)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-now-its-time-to-put-antifa-in-the-same-class-as-racists/794922/89 "2017-08-29T11:23:43Z")
> [@Richard\_Parker](#): > > Maybe we are just reading **Blank Slate** ’s point differently. > > I was focused on the part of Blank Slate’s post saying, “The oppression of minorities by white supremacists has resonance in the US because it happened in an institutional and organized fashion.” As opposed to the oppression of entrepreneurs and capitalists through taxation and other state actions. There is nothing institutional or organized about the IRS. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-now-its-time-to-put-antifa-in-the-same-class-as-racists/794922/90 "2017-08-29T13:57:05Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Our end goal is to prevent fascism from taking hold in this country. Well done, you’ve succeeded and can go home now. America is far too corporatist for fascism to take hold. ---
**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:** [August 29, 2017, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-now-its-time-to-put-antifa-in-the-same-class-as-racists/794922/91 "2017-08-29T16:18:05Z")
Steophan wrote: “Well done, you’ve succeeded and can go home now. America is far too corporatist for fascism to take hold.” Point A and point B are a lot closer than you think. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-now-its-time-to-put-antifa-in-the-same-class-as-racists/794922/92 "2017-08-29T16:25:35Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Not tie them to racists, just note that their level of violence is similar, and if they keep this up will soon easily outpace the racists. They haven’t rammed their cars into a crowd yet. Nor have they brought guns yet. ---
**Author:** ![Okrahoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90db22/32.png) [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-now-its-time-to-put-antifa-in-the-same-class-as-racists/794922/93 "2017-08-29T16:33:07Z")
> [@SteveG1](#): > > They haven’t rammed their cars into a crowd yet. Nor have they brought guns yet. They have brought guns. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-now-its-time-to-put-antifa-in-the-same-class-as-racists/794922/94 "2017-08-29T16:34:26Z")
> [@E-DUB](#): > > Steophan wrote: “Well done, you’ve succeeded and can go home now. America is far too corporatist for fascism to take hold.” Point A and point B are a lot closer than you think. Corporatism is inherently internationalist and anti-government, two things that are the polar opposite of fascism. Which is not to say that it’s desirable, any more than fascism is. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-now-its-time-to-put-antifa-in-the-same-class-as-racists/794922/95 "2017-08-29T16:42:36Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > They have brought guns. Cite??? And also, how many - what percentage of them? Were they arrested? (I hope so) or did they get to go home (like the Nazis)? Cite??? ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-now-its-time-to-put-antifa-in-the-same-class-as-racists/794922/96 "2017-08-29T16:44:29Z")
> **['Antifa' violence in Berkeley spurs soul-searching within leftist activist...](https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-far-left-violence-20170829-story.html)** > > Of the dozens of organizations that turned out for Sunday’s mass protest against racism here, one group was impossible to miss. They are starting to scare other leftist allies. Lets hope the righties don’t start adopting some of antifas tactics…like wearing masks and using weapons. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-now-its-time-to-put-antifa-in-the-same-class-as-racists/794922/97 "2017-08-29T16:47:43Z")
Thanks for the link/cite. “…By the end of the day, 13 people had been arrested, one on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and three on battery charges…” They got arrested. GOOD. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-now-its-time-to-put-antifa-in-the-same-class-as-racists/794922/98 "2017-08-29T16:50:52Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > ['Antifa' violence in Berkeley spurs soul-searching within leftist activist community](http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-far-left-violence-20170829-story.html) > > They are starting to scare other leftist allies. Lets hope the righties don’t start adopting some of antifas tactics…like wearing masks and using weapons. Is that an ironic, KKK joke? ---
**Author:** ![Okrahoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90db22/32.png) [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-now-its-time-to-put-antifa-in-the-same-class-as-racists/794922/99 "2017-08-29T16:51:40Z")
> [@SteveG1](#): > > Cite??? > > And also, how many - what percentage of them? Were they arrested? (I hope so) or did they get to go home (like the Nazis)? > > Cite??? The pictures [have](https://i.redd.it/km2rl8ffysyx.jpg) [been](http://gunfreezone.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Antifa-gun_club.jpg) [posted](http://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/03/27/heavily-armed-left-wing-group-tries-to-intimidate-liberal-reporter-filming-them-it-doesnt-work/) [on](https://www.oathkeepers.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/austin_antifa_guns.jpg) [several](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/14/us/who-were-the-counterprotesters-in-charlottesville.html) threads several times. And no, just like the right-wingers, they have not been arrested for open carry. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-now-its-time-to-put-antifa-in-the-same-class-as-racists/794922/100 "2017-08-29T17:11:43Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > Is that an ironic, KKK joke? In not aware of any KKKers attending rallies, wearing masks and looking for a beat down. Should they start, lock em up. The larger point is that violence has no point in politics. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-now-its-time-to-put-antifa-in-the-same-class-as-racists/794922.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-now-its-time-to-put-antifa-in-the-same-class-as-racists/794922.md?page=6)