Wendy,
He does make a good point.
Indeed, here and now, I share it. It’s just that I recognize that my own moral and political narrative regarding Charlottesville is basically an “existential contraption” rooted in my rather liberal/radical political trajectory.
In fact, when events of this sort occured back in my youth, I was basically a fascist myself. And definitely a racist.
But that’s how these things work – historically, culturally, existentially. In a world of contingency, chance and change.
Thus, my own quandary revolves not around who “hit first” in any particular fight, but whether it can be demonstrated that all rational and virtuous men and women are able to establish and then to sustain a conviction that the punch was deserved.
I want to believe that the liberals are right here. That Donald Duke is wrong. And subjunctively that’s where my gut takes me.
But, philosophically, I’m still entangled in my dilemma.
In other words, unlike you and Mr. Reasonable, I cannot be certain that the “other side” really is “stupid”. For, among other things, not seeing these things exactly as I do.
But, sure, enough of that stuff. Carry on…