When people ask about the political situation in the United States during my lifetime, somewhere in my rambling reply is that nothing  can compare to to the Vietnam era especially 1968.

The picture above is from the demonstration that turned tragically violent in the newly named Emancipation Park in Charlottesville ,Virginia.  This iconic university town which is the home of the University of Virginia which  was  conceived, designed, and built by Thomas Jefferson. I was living there from 1968 – 1973. This was the height of the opposition to the war in Nam.  There were many demonstrations but none that I remember as violent as this one,  not even during the invasion of Cambodia.  The National Guard came to enforce a curfew and there were loud demonstrations on the steps of the Rotunda. I remember standing at a distance watching and thinking that Mr. Jefferson would approve of this  practicing the  right of “free speech.”  I do vividly remember the National Guard tanks parked in the lot for University Hall. Seeing them brought home the severity of the situation.  Oddly, I don’t remember the resolution but the relief when it was over.

In the image above, the opposing groups are lined up across from each other.   For my non- American friends who read my blog, I will explain.  The group at the bottom of the image is the White Supremacists protesting the removal of the Confederate statue of General Robert E. Lee.  He was the supreme general of the Army of Northern Virginia which fought for succession from the Union and his wife inherited slaves. The KKK and White Supremacists. are demonstrating to preserve the history of the south.

Across from the white supremacists are the Antifa dressed in black.  We have in the United States gotten used to  this group, professing to be anti-fascists protesting and destroying property at colleges around the country to protest and stop speakers with whom they don’t agree.  They want to fight directly the right-wing ideology by all means.

A young woman from Charlottesville tragically  lost her life in the violent clash of ideology, Heather Heyer.

A few days later, I witness this huge and peaceful  crowd in Conneaunt, Ohio who have come to celebrate our history and heroes at D-Day 1944. These were the people that we see cheering for President Trump at his rallies. They are hardworking, middle class, patriotic  people who have come to honor our history.

I am willing to say that I would like for this later group to prevail.  I would like to say I don’t want to see any kind of  fascism  end our rights either by the radical right wing or the radical left wing. It seems that is what each in their own understanding is  trying to do.  They want the same results with a twist  of opposite sides.   The middle class is much larger in number and more peaceful. The media gives much more attention to demonstrations by the Antifa and white supremacists while ignoring the middle class.

We as free Americans must be vigilant and knowledgeable of what is going on or our freedoms will be gone  and  it is too late to regain them.

We have to decide what we want Security or Freedom.

https://talesalongtheway.com/security-or-freedom/

As a sign of the times at D-Day Ohio , there was a mobile tower  high above the crowd of thousandths marked and manned by Homeland Security.  I don’t remember noticing that last year.

I would love to hear from any of my readers as to your take on this time in the United States.