Patri Friedman

Because of the circumstances that likely contributed to their actions? True compassion should be broadly applied.

And understanding motivations is always good for counter-action, while dismissing foes as "malevolent" almost always hurts your cause.

If your empathy for the oppressed & suffering stops at the border of your tribe, it's a political posture not a moral position.

I rather resent the suggestion that my disapproval of *Nazis* is inspired by tribalism, rather than their stated goal of ethnic cleansing.

Everyone disapproves of Nazis. You were bothered by insufficient condemnation of their malevolence. That's political / tribal.

A frightening percentage of the US population fell for Nazi-lite packaged as "alt right". That's their new normal; full Nazi isn't so far.

One way that society can deter that "full Nazi" transition is to make it utterly clear that being a Nazi/KKK/etc. is grossly unacceptable.

So yes, look for root causes, empathize with and address factors that lead people into Nazism, but NEVER be gentle about Nazism itself.

Why are you framing this as either/or? I have compassion for circumstances that drive someone to murder, but they could still be dangerous.

I consider "malevolent" to refer to the *threat* posed by a person or a group more than to their past actions. Marching Nazis = real threat.