The sane news media in this country could do us all a huge favor by simply adding the parenthetical

[scarletwoman]

7. Thank you. "It couldn't hurt" is what I think as well.

I agree that the word "fascist" has been largely drained of potency these days - still, at least clarifying the meaning of "antifa" might have some value. If for no other reason than demonstrating that it's an abbreviation of two English words, and not something exotic or foreign.

To the degree it is a coherent body, my understanding is that they turn out to engage ku klux and neo-nazi demonstrators, and do so with a willingness to brawl that we could do with more of on the left here.

No argument from me on that - some swinging back at nazi bullies may certainly be called for as time goes on. We know the violence-minded deplorables who have been called forth by trump and his enablers aren't about to slink away any time soon. Couldn't hurt to have some muscle on our side.