Posted by Bobby on January 24, 2009, at 22:04:36
I used to work with a very successful businessman Mr. X---who--before he became successful--spent several years in prison for murder--premeditated murder. He was a very gentle and caring man. You see---one day--a man in town had bad vibes with Mr. X. The soon to be ex-living man made a solemn vow--on more than one occasion---that he would hunt down and kill Mr. X's young daughter as a consequence. Mr.X gave it some thought and one day---got a shotgun, drove to the man's home and gunned him down--in front of all to see. He then turned himself in to serve time--as he had sacrificed those years in return for the safety of his daughter. After he served his time-Mr. X became a very well to do man in the area. People actually admired him--and I must admit I did too. He is respected and loved by his family and many in the community---I'm sure not in the least his daughter(Who is now a Grandmother). So what's the answer? Was it right? Was it a real threat? Was it worth the sacrifice on his part? Could the deceased man have been educated and rehabilitated? I don't know the answers to all of those questions---I'm not totally convinced there are any correct answers--no matter how far to the left or right you may be. All I do know with certainty is--if I thought for one heartbeat---that my daughter's life was in grave danger--I have little doubt that I'd pull the trigger---or jump in front of a train/car/truck/bullet. Sometimes there is, in fact, a gray area, in matters of real or perceived
dangers. when there are multiple moving targets in front of you --after you've been shot---there will always be anger, fear, confusion, and a desire for someone(sometimes anyone) to pay a heavy price. However--sometimes it will be YOU who will pay the heaviest price in the end. I won't/ can't rush to judgement. I'm not choosing sides. I'm just really sorry it happened and am eager to see this come to it's fruition. It may take many generations for the wounds to heal----but people are resilient and it is my sincere hope that we are moving foward as a species. Already--in this last election---we have seen the start of a major healing. It's been a ghost that has haunted America since it's conception---and the rest of the world even before. Peace and tolerance are so much easier---I have yet to figure that one out--but I'm doomed to spend my existence pondering the complexities of it all. Maybe that's what medication is really for after all.
poster:Bobby
thread:875987
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/poli/20081212/msgs/875987.html