Punish violence, but do not remove history

What is the root of the violence in Virginia?

The Nazi and KKK groups are un-American, period, and seized this event to be in the media.

But citizens from Virginia are frustrated over the removal of the statue of Robert E. Lee, and the re-naming of parks to eliminate the names of Confederate leaders, and the threat of removing a statue of Stonewall Jackson, is the root of legitimate protests. Florida is removing a Confederate statue and now Kentucky is considering removing any references that some may contend represent racism and slavery.

Beaufort County may soon have to remove any statues, plaques, flags, street names, park names, or any reference to the Civil War.

Do we think removing statues, flags and plaques will eliminate division?

Deter all public violence with prosecution to the maximum degree possible, but citizens may peacefully object to removal of their cultural history.

We are in an international crisis. Our focus should be on being Americans, learning from all our history, the good and the evil.

Each generation must understand that eliminating history can cause a nation to repeat history. Some of the division stems from lack of economic opportunities in Virginia. Our country needs to bring back good jobs for Americans. When a nation is thriving economically and people prosper, anger and violence greatly subside.

Anti-American groups don’t care about racism. Their motives are to destroy America and create a socialist nation. The media should focus on the real enemy of Americans: socialism and communism.

This story was originally published August 17, 2017 at 5:36 PM with the headline "Punish violence, but do not remove history."