I have the feeling Luigi Mangione, suspect of the assassination of Brian Thompson isn't extremely controversial.
The assassination of Charlie Kirk was more controversial and polarizing.
I think Noam Chomsky once said he is against politicial violence because it reinforces polarization. And eventually the right profits from polarization.
Today, I read an article in a right-wing outlet. Leftwing extremism was downplayed by the media and elites in Germany. I had a debate with friends about that. A leftwing group you can either call them state terrorists or activists did the following.
www.theguardian.com
German leftwing militants protesting over the climate crisis and AI have claimed responsibility for an arson attack that cut power to tens of thousands of households in Berlin.
The fire that broke out on a bridge across the Teltow canal in the south-west of the capital early on Saturday could deprive up to 35,000 homes and 1,900 businesses of electricity – and in many cases heat – until 8 January, the grid company Stromnetz Berlin said.
There are theories they were supported by Russia for this operation.
I think in functioning liberal democracies violence should not be an appropriate action. Under certain circumstances I would find it appropriate though.
I can tell you an anecdote. My favorite leftwing journal compared the assassination attempt on Trump with assassination attempts of Hitler. For them it seemed tragic that the shooter contributed to the myth building around Trump. And making this comparison in some way legitimizes the violence against Trump. But I think if this paper was published in the US in 2026 the writer might end up on a list of the FBI.
The answers probably vary a lot when violence should be seen as justifiable. But also think it is important to consider strategy and the impact on public opinion. Extinction Rebellion had some protests that totally backfired and many people turned to reactionaries. I think some protests were counterproductive for reaching their goals. I never fully understood the idealism of the youth. I am too much of a pessimist for that. But maybe the lack of a persuading narrative of a global utopia is hurting leftwingers. Most indicators seem to suggest a dystopia though. Idk. I would not want to die for the society I live in. I like the values but I would not physically fight for it. Maybe that's another issue...
The assassination of Charlie Kirk was more controversial and polarizing.
I think Noam Chomsky once said he is against politicial violence because it reinforces polarization. And eventually the right profits from polarization.
Today, I read an article in a right-wing outlet. Leftwing extremism was downplayed by the media and elites in Germany. I had a debate with friends about that. A leftwing group you can either call them state terrorists or activists did the following.
Leftwing militants claim responsibility for arson attack on Berlin power grid
Protest over climate crisis and AI has cut power to tens of thousands of homes which may take days to fully restore
German leftwing militants protesting over the climate crisis and AI have claimed responsibility for an arson attack that cut power to tens of thousands of households in Berlin.
The fire that broke out on a bridge across the Teltow canal in the south-west of the capital early on Saturday could deprive up to 35,000 homes and 1,900 businesses of electricity – and in many cases heat – until 8 January, the grid company Stromnetz Berlin said.
There are theories they were supported by Russia for this operation.
I think in functioning liberal democracies violence should not be an appropriate action. Under certain circumstances I would find it appropriate though.
I can tell you an anecdote. My favorite leftwing journal compared the assassination attempt on Trump with assassination attempts of Hitler. For them it seemed tragic that the shooter contributed to the myth building around Trump. And making this comparison in some way legitimizes the violence against Trump. But I think if this paper was published in the US in 2026 the writer might end up on a list of the FBI.
The answers probably vary a lot when violence should be seen as justifiable. But also think it is important to consider strategy and the impact on public opinion. Extinction Rebellion had some protests that totally backfired and many people turned to reactionaries. I think some protests were counterproductive for reaching their goals. I never fully understood the idealism of the youth. I am too much of a pessimist for that. But maybe the lack of a persuading narrative of a global utopia is hurting leftwingers. Most indicators seem to suggest a dystopia though. Idk. I would not want to die for the society I live in. I like the values but I would not physically fight for it. Maybe that's another issue...
