Ignorance creates fear; fear is at the core of anger; anger is the driving force for hatred; hatred devolves into violence. Extremism is counterproductive.

Charlottesville was likely a ‘wake-up call’ for many younger Americans. I doubt that most Americans were aware that extremist groups such as neo-Nazis, the Ku Klux Klan, and white supremacists in general existed in large numbers and remain active in the 21^st century. The truth is that many of them remained in the shadows until they elected a leader last November. We cannot accept these extremists in our nation. They oppose everything promised by our founding fathers when they created the Constitution.

However, there is a new extremist group on the left calling themselves the ‘Antifa.’ This group approves of violence against those who preach and seek a fascist rule in America. They are equally evil to the beliefs our country supports.

I have written what I believe to be not only the truth, but a necessity for the future of our nation. Our people must support liberalism. Democrats and Independents must move back to the left and support the principles and ideas of past Democratic leaders, and new ones including Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Kirsten Gillibrand, and Kamala Harris. However, we cannot move to the extreme left; extremism does not produce desired results, it hinders them, and there can be no greater proof than the TEA Party and the Freedom Caucus on the extreme right. Nothing has been accomplished by Republicans in eight years, seven months, and four days.

I would like to see my country return to the nation which nurtured me in my formative years. We must return to a nation where understanding, compassion, and tolerance are the norm. Changes in the 60’s and 70’s began a path which would finally guarantee freedom and equality for all Americans. Today we are witnessing efforts to once again remove those rights from all but white Americans; this is unacceptable. However, a backlash from the left is also unacceptable. Violence is never the solution.

It’s time for every American to read or re-read the Constitution and embrace its principles and morals.

Please re-post; thank you.

Op-ed by James Turnage

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Photo courtesy of Jeanne Menjoulet

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