The LA Times published an editorial today called “Violent Demonstrators in Berkeley are Thugs, Not Activists,” in which they condemn the violence that took place last weekend when Antifa fascists rampaged through the liberal college town.

They have strong words for the be-masked rioters:

This is thuggery, not activism. And it has become too familiar a phenomenon in Berkeley, belying its reputation as a citadel of free speech.

But, of course, the Times falls short by failing to identify the thugs as ‘Antifa’, instead using the moniker “black bloc” (an anarchist movement whose roots go back to 1970s West Germany). Says the editorial board, “the nomenclature isn’t important.”

Au contraire. The “nomenclature” is very important. By refusing to name Antifa by name, the liberal LA Times is trying to absolve themselves of any responsibility for the destruction wrought by the militant wing of their ideology. Shining sunlight is indeed the best disinfectant, but the LA Times let their sunlight be eclipsed by dishonesty.

They go completely off the rails when the editorial goes here:

Racism and opposition to racism aren’t equally valid “sides.”

Agreed. But in no way, shape, or form is Antifa the same thing as anti-racism. And the LA Times editorial board knows that.

The white supremacists in Charlottesville were the convenient excuse for the Antifa to riot. The canceled free speech rally in Berkeley was the convenient excuse for the Antifa to riot. Any conservative showing up to speak in Berkeley is a convenient excuse for the Antifa to riot.

And, of course, Donald Trump being president is a convenient excuse for the Antifa to riot.

The Antifa are anti-American, anti-Constitution, anti-free speech, anti-conservatives, anti-decency, anti-showing their faces, and are generally against the value of a free society. Ridding the country of racism has nothing to do with it.

So, points given to the Times for attempting to address the issue, points taken away for gutlessly not going far enough.