I agree that the telling of the whole truth of our
past histories is vital, and - by adding extra plaques to
monuments, is an excellent way to rectify things.

Having said that, we should also consider the other side
of the coin when debating these issues and consider the
fact that - the
destruction and/or removal of some monuments may be
useful in times when a difficult past becomes too
painful to relate to. such as the removal of monuments erected
by the Nazi and Soviet regimes during the second World
War.

In former Soviet occupied countries in Eastern Europe, for
example, statues of the dictators, Stalin, Hitler, et al,
have been removed. In
Lithuania Stalin, Lenin's statues have been
housed in a remote park for
those that want to view them as a curiousity.

It's important to point out that history and memory are
not the same. We don't need Stalin or Hitler monuments or
statues to remind us of the history of the second World War.

Removing a memorial does not remove history. But the act
changes how it will be remembered. As Germany has proven
by removing all of its Nazi memorabilia.

In the case of the United States it may be about correcting
injustice by removing symbolic monuments that honour
America's slave history which shelters discrimination and
oppression inflicted upon non-whites.

I don't agree with the removal of monuments
but I can understand that their removal is
important to some so that their societies
can be healed of their painful pasts, which needs to occur for
their countries to move on.

I can understand their point of view, even though I don't agree
with it.

Foxy,

Why in God's name do we want statues of John Howard and Tony Abbott?

Unless at the foot it reads SCUMBAG LAWYER.

What next? Americans put Donald Trump's face on Mt Rushmore? They might just be able to fit it into that space between Roosevelt and Lincoln.

Dear Foxy,

As a frequent walker around Lake Wendouree I have often detoured through the busts. I am pretty certain some of the artists were sculpting a little tongue in cheek but be that as it may they are bronze figures and I'm not sure a dab of paint in going to do any permanent damage.

I know Abbott's statue was earmarked when he signalled his support for Pell. In a town whose children have suffered terribly through the abuse of the Catholic Church at the very least enabled by Pell I am not surprised that he was revisited. Not a popular man.

Are we just talking of historic statues, or the Marxist political agenda in removing them. It has been a Greens staff member that is responsible for defacing Cooks Statue. George Floyd's figure in this action was initially displayed in every rally. Next we will have a monument to George Floyd, a criminal known to the police who murdered him. His record of crime including home robbery with fire arms on a pregnant woman, yet he was held up with celebrity status.

I saw a Youtube video the other day where outrage was expressed because a white Police Officer gave the OK sign to the camera. Instantly, the racists complained how racist this OK was because "it was very likely a White Power" gesture ??.
When a million or more black protesters do the "Black Power" gesture, not a whimper is heard from anyone !

Today, as protesters deface or destroy statues much of the World applauds, when ISIS destroyed statues much of the World protested.

Depends on the point of obsession.