It is dumb. And yet, a number of your fellow conservatives insist on doing it. There are quite a few posts in a number of threads that claim Antifa is just as bad or worse than the KKK, or that Antifa and KKK are just two sides of the same hate coin. It's ridiculous. We shouldn't need to build some leftist equivalent in order to condemn white nationalism. We should just condemn white nationalism on its own account. No strings attached.
I think you are misrepresenting the comments and opinions of those on this forum who have criticized Antifa. Criticizing Antifa does not make them equivalent to the Nazis or the KKK in the minds of those criticizing Antifa and I am sure no one here has meant that at all. Everyone has condemned both the Nazis and the KKK and anyone implying that others on the forum are sympathetic with them based upon criticism of Antifa is absurd, ridiculous and insulting.
Those minimizing the actions of Antifa groups and pointing out that they are not as bad as the KKK and Nazis
while correct lend validity to the idea to many(Antifa groups & supporters) that denying freedom of assembly and speech to these despicable groups is acceptable and makes it and almost credible point that they are legitimate targets for violence. When is being less bad than the klan a great moral accomplishment? Continually pointing out that Antifa only exist for the sole purpose of fighting Nazis and the KKK is somewhat disingenuous as they have branched out far beyond simply these concerns. They are pan-leftist group, anarchist, communist, anti-capitolist, socialist, and self-described revolutionaries. They have no allegiance to a liberal democracy. Some of them are Marxists, some are Leninists, some are social democrats or anarchists.
I think relative to the discussion is there seems to be a growing ideal with many on the Left that any peaceful assembly they disagree with is illegitimate and unworthy of constitutional protection. We have seen it at Universities and in peaceful protest as well. Antifa has been one of the major violent players in these disagreements and this violence hasn't been limited to only the demonstrations made by the Nazis, KKK, or White Nationalist etc. They have directed their violence on many other peaceful demonstrations and protest not related to the Nazis and KKK.
Freedom of speech and assembly are sacred and hallmarks of our constitution. The Nazis and White Supremist are pathetic and horrible human beings but our constitution allows them the right to assembly and to speak their minds. We should not fight hate with hate. Violence utlized by Antifa groups is not a valid tactic. Defeat them with ideals and words and peaceful opposition. You prop them up by emphasizing that they exist only because of the alt-right and implying that the targets of their violence deserve it regardless of their protections under our constitution.
Some of this violence in several locations has been allowed to happen by decisions to pull back the police by city administrations. Had the police performed as they did in Boston for example much of the violence would not have occurred and what did occur would result in the hoodlums being prosecuted.
If there cause is honorable then why the necessity to show up covered head to toe and wearing mask and carrying clubs and weapons much like the KKK and their garb. They have been violent against many others outside of the Nazis and KKK groups. Frankly they are looking for a fight and in reality the group(s) have probably been infiltrated by those simply looking for and excuse to kick ass and hurt people. The cause is just but their methods and membership is corrupted.
I am not criticizing Antifa to create a leftist boogeyman. I am doing so because they deserve it. More on the left need to do so beyond stating things along the lines that not all of them are bad, or they exist because of the alt-right. And people should quit implying that others criticizing them are sympathetic to Nazis and the KKK.
I condemn the Nazis, KKK, and all similar groups passionately. I don't think Antifa is similar to these other groups or as horrible and most likely never will be. Having said that I condemn the violence and methods used by Antifa groups and find it difficult to find any saving grace in their groups despite their corrupted honorable cause and goals.