Future of monuments should be decided by all the people.

ISIS LIKE MOBS HAVE NO RIGHT TO MAKE POLITICAL DECISIONS

ONLY REFERENDUM, NOT PETITION OR MOB ACTION

We see demands all around the country to remove statures and monuments dedicated to past leaders and groups. If we still live in a democratic country then these decisions should be made by all the people. Not by city councils, governors or any other group and certainly not by mobs who are more in the style of ISIS than a democratic group.

Many of these young, uninformed, and self defined morally superior anarchists have no real understanding and knowledge of history or likely anything else for that matter. They are the product of modern parenting, without discipline, respect for anything or anyone and likely lacking in basic knowledge. Are we as a society going to allow them to decide the future of the country by their intimidation and violent action.

Do they have the right, in their morally superior, self righteous attitudes to judge people who lived in the past, in a time when the norms and laws were far different than today. Have any of them the empathy to understand that many who were slave owners came to this situation by inheritance or with the purchase of property. That emancipating an elderly uneducated slave or youth would have been not an act of compassion but a tragedy. That many of the people who fought for the Confederacy were not slave owners or endorsed slavery. Many, including Robert E. Lee, who was offered to lead the Union, fought to defend their state, period. Many were in a personal dilemma, with some family members fighting on opposite sides. 

As far as judging Christopher Columbus, after 500 years have passed, it is  ridiculous. Can anyone imagine having spent possibly months at sea in a wooden ship and finally reaching land. Short on food, water, many possibly sick from the journey.  Landing on a shore with native people who may or may not be friendly. Without any back-up available. These people were in the ultimate self preservation situation. But some today in their infinite wisdom, morally superior image of themselves believe they have the right to judge their lives. I doubt than any of them could measure up to anyone who lived in the distant past.

Statues and monuments were put up in the past for many different reasons. They now belong to cities, states, and some the federal government. It should be the jurisdiction of those who own these historical markers. If the city, let the citizens of the city decide by vote. If the state, let the citizens of the state decide, and if the Federal government, then the whole country. Why not have a debate and let the citizens decide. That is the American way.