I disagree on a fundamental level. I agree that these people are evil, but the conclusion that thus they must not "get a statue" is pure fantasy. People should be allowed to do what they want with their owned property, including erect a statue of anybody they want, no matter how immoral.
Stalin, in my view, was a profoundly evil man. He had no regard for human life, he had no sense of moderation, and he was what amounts to the ultimate incarnation of the "Janny" personality.
Yet, if somebody had a huge block of marble and tools to carve it, should they choose to carve a statue of Stalin and place it upon their own property, so long as they do not hurt anybody else or their property, they should be allowed to do so.
There is something evil about initiating the use of force against peaceful people or their property. This makes at least some of our greatest heroes at least a bit evil. We should recognise and admit that, and then say to ourselves, "Brilliant! We have an opportunity to be better than our heroes!"
Tearing down statues is not the answer. Recognition of evil and the possibility of excellence and improvement is.
If they kill or enslave people, they are evil
I disagree on a fundamental level. I agree that these people are evil, but the conclusion that thus they must not "get a statue" is pure fantasy. People should be allowed to do what they want with their owned property, including erect a statue of anybody they want, no matter how immoral.
Stalin, in my view, was a profoundly evil man. He had no regard for human life, he had no sense of moderation, and he was what amounts to the ultimate incarnation of the "Janny" personality.
Yet, if somebody had a huge block of marble and tools to carve it, should they choose to carve a statue of Stalin and place it upon their own property, so long as they do not hurt anybody else or their property, they should be allowed to do so.
If it used taxmoney, no they shouldn't
Anything that uses tax money should not happen in the first place. The State is an illegitimate institution.
It's also not what's being debated.
There is something evil about initiating the use of force against peaceful people or their property. This makes at least some of our greatest heroes at least a bit evil. We should recognise and admit that, and then say to ourselves, "Brilliant! We have an opportunity to be better than our heroes!"
Tearing down statues is not the answer. Recognition of evil and the possibility of excellence and improvement is.