Hmm, do we really want to open this conversation to making broad generalizations about groups based on small groups of extremists within it? Neither side wins in a conversation like that.

>Hmm, do we really want to open this conversation to making broad generalizations about groups based on small groups of extremists within it? Neither side wins in a conversation like that.

I'd argue it's still a better outcome than if only one side is allowed to make broad generalizations about groups based on small groups of extremists within it, while the other side is silenced.

I don't think either side is being silenced. Both sides equally like to accuse the other of:

- Ignoring "facts and logic"

- Suppressing free speech

- Being hateful

- Blindly following mainstream media

- Being agents of foreign influence

>I don't think either side is being silenced.

Did you see the part where the person calling all Trump supporters full of hate was upvoted while the comments I made highlighting some hateful acts by non-Trump-supporters was heavily downvoted? Maybe not literal silencing, but seems people here would definitely rather only hear one side of the story.

Or, perhaps, they just disagree with you?

https://xkcd.com/1357/

There is a tremendous difference between silencing, disagreeing with someone, and only listening to one side of the story.

Dude, the moment you realize whose side neo-Nazis are on, you really don’t want that argument.

So we musn't support anything that's also supported by Nazis? Then we should oppose vegetarianism and bans on smoking, because Hitler supported them?

Isn't this taking things to a logical extreme?

No, my point is exactly the opposite: choosing the worst possible examples of someone who supports X to argue that's the norm is bad thinking. If you want to play the 'broad generalization' game, then you have to be able to suck it up and admit that on one side of the argument we have neo-Nazis, so if you identify with that side you'll be called a neo-Nazi.

I am new to Hackernews, is this site mainly for technology or is politics also allowed?

Politics is generally considered off-topic unless it's "evidence of some interesting new phenomenon"[0]

[0]: https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html

Mostly about startups really, with a big lean on technology. On occasion, there are political discussions but they tend to be heavily monitored to stop them becoming too bad.

>Try harder. And while you're trying, learn a little US history. The real stuff, not fauxnews talk show host interpretive stories designed to create controversy in order to sell more ads...

Could you point me to the part in US history that shows rioting and destroying innocent people's lives and property is not an act of hatred?

Off the top of my head: Boston tea party? (about taxation without representation, and related issues)

I guess it is pretty typical that the establishment doesn't want to understand or acknowledge the real reasons for why rioters are upset, they'd rather smear them and keep things the way they are.

>Boston tea party

The people involved in that did not go around destroying the property of random uninvolved shopkeepers, it was specifically a rebellion against the English.

When the established rules leave some in a bad enough spot they will become frustrated enough to break the rules as best as they can. Sometimes all you get are pointless riots, sometimes you get music, sometimes you get a revolution. It depends on the situation.

What is always true is that the establishment wants to maintain the current order. They don't want to understand or accommodate the malcontents. Instead they smear and continue to oppress them.

In the case of the recent riots, there is a large segment of white america that want to see blacks kept down, and are happy for the police to do their dirty work. That's why there are protests, and that's also why there are riots - different people expressing their anger and frustration in their own ways.

Are you implying the Tulsa race massacre wasn't an act of hatred?

Seriously? Where did you go to school?

Start with the US revolution... and then find your way up through the 20th century. There are thousands of instances.

The US revolution wasn't people going around randomly burning down other people's houses and businesses, it was specifically targeted at the English oppressors.