Irishman

Yep....and in the middle of a vigil in Downtown Columbia City, a group of truck enthusiasts decided to drive by with their trucks decorated in confederate flags and other decorations.

Good old Indiana folks. The phrase from earlier posts comes to mind here...."know your place". https://www.tmz.com/2020/06/06/armed-residents-indiana-crown-point-guns-blm-protest-stare-down/?fbclid=IwAR3HQm6ryQQ7j-ZO9k6qYwHI7eAqLDiUTGbu7KV7Ss7EuK2mqr3-3wiTjbY&fbclid=IwAR25ufufftH-Hrhi0YSfwG61E_LK1Unfohblx5i1RexCfiOJKqCpVARW_8w

Just keep proving BobRef’s point. lol....hilarious.

I get what you are saying and would agree, in principle, this is what the scale is supposed to look like. But like many things, in practice, it becomes quite blurred. It is amusing to some extent to see so many “conservatives” supporting an authoritarian like Trump, and cannot see past the notion that he did indeed have some good people in his administration that he either fired or forced out because of some big disagreements. General Mattis is always first in my mind when I make that statement.

Yeah, let’s just COMPLETELY ignore that it has been said there are people in extreme groups on both ends of the spectrum that are causing problems. In fact, I don’t recall seeing a single post by anyone but you that points the blame in just one direction. But yeah, let’s just keep pointing the finger in that one direction. https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2020/05/31/us/politics/ap-us-america-protests-behind-the-protests.html

But he also says this: "The white conservatives aren't friends of the Negro either, but they at least don't try to hide it. They are like wolves; they show their teeth in a snarl that keeps the Negro always aware of where he stands with them."

From North Carolina: Interesting comment though. Not sure if it is true, but someone claiming to be from there said these were not police at all, but militia members dressed similar to police to avoid being attacked or arrested. I have not verified that, but there are similar stories from other cities. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2020/06/03/george-floyd-protests-police-destroy-medic-station-asheville/3124847001/?fbclid=IwAR0H55usku7Zv918GCCT8VxCMqHb-jiVfHew4J20lQZ5En6GrHrWoUBJ81w

As far as the bold part; which is it? You either have no clue of the intent of erecting them or you do. So, your years in Virginia made you an all knowing expert? lol, yeah, ok And the last part? Yeah I was WAY off. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demolition_of_monuments_to_Vladimir_Lenin_in_Ukraine "The demolition of Lenin monuments in Ukraine happened in four stages. During the 1990s more than 2,000 Lenin monuments were demolished in Galicia and Volyn, at the turn of the 1990-2000s more than 600 Lenin monuments were removed in western and central areas, in 2005-2008 more than 600 were demolished mainly in central areas, and in 2013-2014 552 monuments were demolished. Yep, way off....my bad.

What is so controversial? You mean beside the fact that this is not the place where the soldiers died or where the graves for them are? or beside the fact that the reason it is in the spot it is in was decided by members of the klan so that it would be more visible to all residents of the city, including the minorities? Beside the fact that no one really spoke up for keeping it when it was up for discussion in 2017 when the Parks Department voted to have it removed. From that time, museums have had the opportunity to take the monument, but no one has stepped up. I would also add that this marker currently sits in Crown Hill Cemetery where the remains are actually buried now.

Taking down monuments erected anywhere from 70-80 years or more after that war are not meant to preserve history in the sense many think it is, and it is not even trying to sweep history under the rug. The Robert E. Lee statue that started the whole mess was finished in the late 1920’s. The statue is in a place where many can see it, and serves as a reminder to remember their place in that State. Just like the memorial in Garfield Park in Indy. The klan’s influence had it moved to e more prominent, visible spot as a message to many who don’t look like them. How many monuments are dedicated to British soldiers who fought in the Revolutionary War? Should the Germans have kept monuments to Hitler to help preserve their history? Should Iraq keep statues to Saddam Hussein? Should the Russians keep the statues of Stalin and Lenin up? All those are ones that were taken down, and the history behind those people has not been lost, or even swept under the rug. The fact is that the notion that getting rid of these would somehow erase history is weak. There are still museums dedicated to such important moments in our Nation’s history. Just like there are museums dedicated to what Hitler and the nazis did.

I am not sure this is an accurate "picture" of the political spectrum. I agree that fascism and anarchy are opposites; but the spectrum looks at the level of control from a governing standpoint; the further left, the more control there is at the national level. The further right is less control overall, but the control is more at the local level. So, the extreme right is anarchy, while the extreme left is fascism. Now, if you want to raise the point about lines being blurred; no argument there, I would agree.

Funny to see so many on the side that won fight so hard to preserve the flag and the monuments to the other side now.

Memorial Day was the key point. All Fort Wayne hospitals are seeing the highest number of cases yet since the outbreak started. The numbers may seem low, but the staff that was moved from other areas to help with the covid patients have retuned to their regular positions, and hospitals had started admitting patients for regular appointments and minor procedures.

You are aware the bottom photo has been photoshopped, right? The actual image on the wall is at the memorial to Jose Marti, who is considered a national hero in Cuba in his efforts to liberate Cuba from Spain in the late 19th Century. The challenge in this is that we ALL have to better than this.

Partisan religion discussions are by far some of THE most nauseating things to see, hear and read. This "who is holier game" is pathetic at best. In my honest opinion, the most Christian example in DC we had and even continues to be Jimmy Carter. He was as opposite in many political beliefs as me, but he is a man of high integrity and faith. His example is something we should all strive for. The fact is that any pictures, video, or moments in church were all photo ops. Dispute President Obama's faith all you want, but he has been faithful to Michelle, and committed to his family as long as he has had a family. I will give him credit even for not being shy about owning his mistakes. But he never did cheat on Michelle like Clinton or Trump have. He has never had to pay off a porn star; regardless of how the case turned out, he still did it. There is a picture a friend of mine who is a minister in CA posted today. It is a side by side of President Trump holding the Bible up yesterday and today Nancy Pelosi holding one. I hate seeing this Book become a political prop. Because that is all it is.

I saw the Minneapolis coroner declared that Floyd's other health issues lead to his death and not asphyxiation. Then this....https://abcnews.go.com/US/independent-autopsy-george-floyd-findings-announced/story?id=70994827&fbclid=IwAR0bf_2_z8zNJmfMHBtEsFBLfx_IArfshtFHxkBkuduA0AeLSdz1zP0XV00 Talk about a systemic problem. The original coroner needs to be held accountable if this follow up autopsy is accurate. As far as the riots and the people causing the most trouble; I have seen enough to say that it appears extremists on both ends of the spectrum are stirring the pot. One of the young men shot and killed after Saturday's riots was Chris Beaty. I never coached him but did coach against him. I know a LOT of people who were classmates and teammates of his at Cathedral. I got the chance to get to know him in my few years. He loved Cathedral and IU. He would do anything for anyone who needed help. He liked to give kids playing tips from time to time. I did not know him well, but he had a HUGE personality and always commanded our players' attention. He will be missed dearly. He was merely going to his apartment after parking in the garage. Several people are reporting there were white men in garages near that area that were firing weapons. Two men were hit and killed after Saturday's protests/riots. Unfortunately, there are too many people who really do not want this country to be anything great. They thrive on division and hatred. As Mr. Rogers said, look for the helpers.........my hope is that more good people stand up for what is right, and these extremists are brought to justice.

That was not a good question to have asked....but here is a legitimate one. For your kids, especially your sons, how do you have the conversation about him “fitting the description”? Asking honestly, because it is a harsh reality. So many of the names I listed in the other post fit a description, while just minding their own business. There are cases where a young man complied with officers and still ended up losing his life, while others who did not cooperate also lost their lives. And this is not just in dealing with law enforcement. Ahmaud Arbery was out for a run while 3 people felt they could act in place of law enforcement. We also recently saw a delivery driver be stopped by a neighborhood association president in a gated community because he did not fit in there, even though he had the combination to enter to deliver to a resident.

Yeah...ok...I am sure you don’t. That is ok, others of us know enough people who would.

Really? Continuing to blame just one side? You have proof that arrest was staged? I may have missed some of those details. That said, the President declaring a "MAGA Night" in front of the White House does nothing but fan the flames. He claimed the Secret Service was in position and did a good job handling the protesters in case it did get out of hand. Leave it at that. They are the trained professionals. Everyone on this forum knows exactly what he is saying when he says it's MAGA night at the White House. We all know some crazy people who are dumb enough to show up there and escalate things quickly; putting the law enforcement people he praised at greater risk, as well as many individuals who are there to peacefully protest. I know I am critical of Trump often; but this is beyond ridiculous; even for him. But by all means, let's continue to push the narrative that it is just the left creating the violence we see.

So, they are the same people that carry the Nazi flags in rallies to protect statues dedicated to military leaders who were enemies of the US? Or carry those same flags at rallies to open states up? Or the ones that carry a badge that blatantly murder people of color? Or the one that walked into a church heavily armed, killing the people inside it? Or the ones that blew up the government building in Oklahoma City? Was it a liberal who broke the windows at the Autozone in Minneapolis? Asking for a friend. Don't get me wrong; I have no doubt that people are agitating on purpose, and will travel to do so, a sad and tragic thing in this day and age. In fact, even here in Fort Wayne, some of the arrests were of people that are not from here. But the notion that violence is a one sided thing is just ridiculous.

As far as the rioting goes; here is one of the early entries for the category of "stirring the pot". He is seen walking along the front of this Autozone store breaking the windows; and then walks away from the scene. Looks a bit overdressed. His ex fiance' was shown this and identified him. He is a cop from St. Paul.........hmmmmmm So it appears Chauvin has more supporters.

Well, I do know this. You have assumed too much in this post. I am not referring to myself. But I do know for certain you have made an ass of yourself with this comment. For context, I am referring to the quote, “when you assume....”

FTA: “When she was in that position she declined to prosecute many police officers who were accused of using excessive force, including the officer who has been blamed for Floyd’s death, The Guardian reported” She appears to deserve a lot of criticism based on what is reported here. That said, they also did not need to be prosecuted in order to be fired.