...then 20 6- and 7-year-old future assassins were killed before they could sharpen their claws and grow up to destroy other assassins. Do you really believe that?
I do the work I do because I believe that human beings will choose to look out for each other if someone sets an example and looks out for them. I believe that, if human beings are exposed to finer ideas and taught how to use reason and logic, they develop the ability to act in a humane manner. As flawed as we are, we can all -- well, most of us -- grow in positive directions and improve or moderate our behavior.
We can do this ourselves, with help from each other, without other people who "know better" (and what makes them superior, anyway?) taking things away from us for what we are told is our own good.
By and large, my experiences have supported these beliefs, which is why I continue to hold them. Sure, it takes time. And (to paraphrase Churchill's observation about democracy) it's the worst solution we have, except for all the others.
The murder of those children, and of their adult protectors, was heinous, and criminal, and tragic. We should all be horror-stricken, grieving, and angry. But to consent to be treated like children ourselves -- or worse, like savages -- will not comfort their families or honor their memories, and it will not keep anyone safer in the long run, because we will have abdicated our responsibility to learn to be better people.
Flame » in reply to We both have the same goal.
Please disregard that hiccup. If it's in our genes...
The whole thread (36 posts)
- It is such a relief to know that guns didn't kill these kids.
- Two very different statements. But they have the same effect.
- If we can accept the coming healthcare mandate then seeing your neighbors house searched should be easy. n/t
- Now there you go: reasonable suggestions.
- After reviewing all our comments below, methinks we are all missing the obvious.
- Outrage is very satisfying.
- Well, first, it's dereliction to not express outrage even if a solution can't be seen (yet).
- Sympathy vs. outrage.
- As you point out they are not mutually exclusive. However, outrage can be constructive.
- When you get your magic wand working, you will have to let me know.
- We both have the same goal.
- Please disregard that hiccup. If it's in our genes...
- If it's in our genes, and we
- We both have the same goal.
- When you get your magic wand working, you will have to let me know.
- Some perspective:
- As you point out they are not mutually exclusive. However, outrage can be constructive.
- Sympathy vs. outrage.
- Well, first, it's dereliction to not express outrage even if a solution can't be seen (yet).
- Stand on Zanzibar-- John Brunner, (1968)
- Second Amendment Pornography.
- Re: It is such a relief to know that guns didn't kill these kids.