Reply #22: It is not that Sir. [View All]

I have no doubt these people are unpleasant. It's an
unpleasant business all around. Whether in this case they were
motivated by petty or patriotic motives matters little. No doubt
you may find people that will tell you either is correct. One
can in any case be sure that the perps will tell you of their
high-minded motives.

All societies habitually prune themselves of those they find
unacceptable. One advocates the rule of law precisely because,
done rightly, it offers protection from this sort of arbitrariness.

So the correct answer it to institute and enforce fairly a fair rule
of law. Then one has a framework in which to judge deeds. At present
there is only a growing chaos and a great deal of ad hoc use
of force.

I find tedious the tendency of each side in this quarrel
to tell the list of atrocities committed by the other like
a set of worry beads. It has many pernicious effects, which I
am sure you realize as well as I. I do not mean by this that
the truth should not be known, when possible, but rather that one
should avoid the associated wallowing in hate and anger. It merely
makes you stupid. Pointing out the corruption of one's enemies does
not make you pure.

To the extent that anyone may claim moral superiority over others,
it is not a state of being but a fragile achievement that must be
practiced and defended every day. Every immoral act diminishes it.
Every moral act of initiative or restraint defends it. If you stoop
to their methods, you become like them, and henceforth you are like
them. In a word, you are what you do.

In the meantime, as you point out, it is a war, and as such it has
little to do with morality or ethics, it is a test of force and will,
not a tea party.

I am thinking of the scene in Butch Cassiday and the Sundance Kid
where Butch is about the take over the gang. He says to the current
leader as the fight is about to start: "Wait, wait, what are the
rules?" The leader responds: "Rules? What rules? No rules!", and
on the last word Butch kicks him in the nuts.

Well, I suppose this is my daily rant.
Best Regards.