re: Does anybody really care about these statues?

quote:

---

I don't get this whole slippery slope argument of "Is Jefferson next?!" Pointing out that Jefferson owned slaves is not a gotcha. America is a country of ideals, and it's implicitly those ideals we celebrate when we put its figures on a pedestal. We see the atrocities in our history as examples of us falling short of those ideals. But you can't call slavery a shortcoming of the Confederacy's ideals. It was the ideal, as any intellectually honest person who has actually read its constitution knows.

---

Jefferson profited mightily from slavery, giving him the freedom to participate in government, and he arguably raped a slave and fathered a child. There will be plenty of ammunition.

You're looking it at from the reasoned position of "the framers did something good, why would anyone go after them." That's the wrong perspective IMO. People who are physically tearing down statutes don't give a shite about good or evil. They want revolution. They don't give a shite about the "ideals" of America now, so why would they give a shite about the antiquated ideals Jefferson celebrated?

quote:

---

America is a country of ideals, and it's implicitly those ideals we celebrate when we put its figures on a pedestal.

---

This is where you and I differ. America is not an idea, it's a place. The only ideal really in America is about making a buck. The country was founded on the premise that you should keep what you earn. All the crap about Taxation without Representation is bogus.

We think ourselves so idealistic....that's a meme that was foistered by late 19h century Progressives like John Dewey. Overall it's a cover story.

quote:

---

I don't get this whole slippery slope argument of "Is Jefferson next?!"

---

You will, naive padawan, you will!!!!!