In reality, the left is the target of political violence

[Citizen's Nephew]

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/mar/20/left-smeared-angry-mob-target-political-violence

Tony Benn. I wish Labour had more like him. I'd still be a member.

[Citizen's Nephew]

Re: In reality, the left is the target of political violence

This one, for example has had f*ck all interest. LOM WUM threads get more. I’m not being precious btw. It’s hilarious tbh.

[JamesWales]

Re: In reality, the left is the target of political violence

I don't think anyone believes it tbh

[the other bob wilson]

Re: In reality, the left is the target of political violence

I don't think anyone believes it tbh

As someone old enough to remember the ludicrous private armys set up in the 70s as a reaction to the Wilson Government I do.

[Citizen's Nephew]

Re: In reality, the left is the target of political violence

I don't think anyone believes it tbh

From someone so interested in politics that's quite a shocking, disparaging, and dismissive comment.

The final paragraph from Andy Beckett reads:

"Yet as the Hester episode shows, violent sentiments can be expressed by people very close to power, seemingly without serious consequences for their political and commercial activities. Meanwhile, peaceful protesters are increasingly sent to prison. Where a country draws the line between acceptable and unacceptable politics is always very telling".

It's hard to disagree with that, isn't it? Considering Frank Hester said that Dianne Abbott "should be shot".

I suspect that hardly anyone has read the piece.

[jon1959]

Re: In reality, the left is the target of political violence

As someone old enough to remember the ludicrous private armys set up in the 70s as a reaction to the Wilson Government I do.

Me too.

And from more recent examples, including state violence directed at the political left (the police riot at Orgreave for one).

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Re: In reality, the left is the target of political violence

The Economic League

The Silent McCarthyism

Not all violence is physical

JamesWales should read about that

[Wales-Bales]

Re: In reality, the left is the target of political violence

The establishment are against anything they see as a threat to their power, so instead of left v right you should view it as establishment v anti-establishment.

[jon1959]

Re: In reality, the left is the target of political violence

The establishment are against anything they see as a threat to their power, so instead of left v right you should view it as establishment v anti-establishment.

No thanks.

Left v right works for me.

Apart from a few fringe far right groups in the UK 'the establishment' is the embodiment of the right. Almost by definition!

[Wales-Bales]

Re: In reality, the left is the target of political violence

No thanks.

Left v right works for me.

Apart from a few fringe far right groups in the UK 'the establishment' is the embodiment of the right. Almost by definition!

That's the con, and it works for most people

[jon1959]

Re: In reality, the left is the target of political violence

That's the con, and it works for most people

bill muray stupid.jpg

[JamesWales]

Re: In reality, the left is the target of political violence

No thanks.

Left v right works for me.

Apart from a few fringe far right groups in the UK 'the establishment' is the embodiment of the right. Almost by definition!

Surely you realise that many establishment institutions, parts of the media, universities etc are pretty consistent in promoting left-wing ideals though?

And equally, on this whole debate, surely you recognise that whatever measure you use of failure; murdering your citizens, economic mismanagement, starvation, denial of democracy or rights etc, that the left is no better than the right, and vice-versa. It really is a totally outdated way of viewing things really. It's become little more than window dressing and a term for a cultural outlook

[Doucas]

Re: In reality, the left is the target of political violence

Surely you realise that many establishment institutions, parts of the media, universities etc are pretty consistent in promoting left-wing ideals though?

And equally, on this whole debate, surely you recognise that whatever measure you use of failure; murdering your citizens, economic mismanagement, starvation, denial of democracy or rights etc, that the left is no better than the right, and vice-versa. It really is a totally outdated way of viewing things really. It's become little more than window dressing and a term for a cultural outlook

Ah yeah, Scandinavian countries with all their socialist policies regularly murder their citizens. Aneurin Bevan after the formation of the NHS went out and slit some throats as well. You've truly got us.

[stevo]

Re: In reality, the left is the target of political violence

Surely you realise that many establishment institutions, parts of the media, universities etc are pretty consistent in promoting left-wing ideals though?

And equally, on this whole debate, surely you recognise that whatever measure you use of failure; murdering your citizens, economic mismanagement, starvation, denial of democracy or rights etc, that the left is no better than the right, and vice-versa. It really is a totally outdated way of viewing things really. It's become little more than window dressing and a term for a cultural outlook

There are a lot more parts of the media that lean to the right

[JamesWales]

Re: In reality, the left is the target of political violence

Ah yeah, Scandinavian countries with all their socialist policies regularly murder their citizens. Aneurin Bevan after the formation of the NHS went out and slit some throats as well. You've truly got us.

I mean you have literally selected two very specific and curious examples from the great history of political nations.

And one of them is wrong too. Scandinavian countries aren't socialist at all.

The issue of right, just, moral, good, honourable or successful governance of countries is nothing to do with the left/right scale at all. They will tend to be liberal democracies but that spans the spectrum in itself.