(02-03-2017 03:53 PM)tanqtonic Wrote:  I find it very interesting that some tell others that they need to quote the extremists like Spencer and try to associate that ilk with anything on on the Republican side, but utterly fail to do the same association with the extremists (or 'rioters') associated with their own side of the pond.

Alt-right might be a problem, but it seems that it is the fing riots of the alt-left that tend to burn cars, buildings, atms.....

This is not a defense of wackjobs like Spencer and Duke, but when you are complaining about extremism, at least dont seemingly be blind to the left-side of extremist thought. (unless riots aren't extremism in your mind...)

Hate to tell you but the violence from the left isn't constrained to Berkeley --- looking back on it the riot and assualts at the Trump rally in San Jose during the campaign season wasn't a one-off it was just seemingly a precursor to what the alt-left *actually* seems to do very well these days.

Edited to add:

another wonderful example of alt-left tolerance in action:

http://www.nyunews.com/2017/02/02/2-2-news-gavin/

Just putting this up there as a reminder that the issues with extremism is not limited to the right.....

First of all, I am not trying to stretch and associate Spencer and Duke with the Republican side - they are doing it themselves out in the open. And the key problem with your comparison between the anarchist rioters and these public figures is that these rioters were not aligning themselves with a particular person on the left - there were no chants for Hillary, Schumer, or even Bernie. So that is a key distinction - Spencer and Duke are publicly supporting a candidate and their action associated with one of the mainstream parties, while the other group you mention (these anarchists) are not.

Now what about during the primaries when I imagine some similar people to these anarchists supported Bernie? That is a much more similar situation and apt comparison.

However, the response of the candidate/party is a great contrast to Trump and his party leadership at the moment. How did Sanders respond to the violent supporters during the primary that supported him? Did he encourage them or promote their abhorrent violent values? Nope, he denounced them and publicly called for them to stop (https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post...352e9bb7).

So you're right, there are extremes on the left side of the ideological spectrum, but the reason they are not getting the same attention is because either: 1) they aren't in direct support of a candidate; 2) they are being actively denounced by a candidate they are associated with; or 3) the actors aren't even associated with the party.

There is no attempt on my part to try and avoid the acts of violence perpetrated by some individuals like the anarchists in Berkley recently. These acts are senseless, illogical, illegal, and cruel. But I do not see Democratic politicians openly calling for violence or dog whistling calls to arms. If you want to provide me some sources saying otherwise, I'd be happy to read them.