Shown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
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.
Posted by Sigismund on January 25, 2009, at 0:30:04
In reply to Preemption---a true story--*Trigger*, posted by Bobby on January 24, 2009, at 22:04:36
>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.
There's quite a lot in this, and I am in no condition to do it justice.
Whenever people say they are feeling 'inappropriate sadness', I think 'Oh yeah' and prefer Bruce Cockburn's
'You carry the weight of inherited sorrow
From your first day till you die'
but then I have spent my life looking for things to grieve over.But what is the ghost you have in mind that has haunted America since its conception?
It is only that you once said you had some native-American ancestry that makes me wonder if you are thinking back to then.
I can only give a view from outside, and because that view is different I am always interested in the view from inside.
So when you say
>Already--in this last election---we have seen the start of a major healing
of course I agree.The world has been badly frightened (or maybe I am) and is greatly relieved to have a president who seems to have such intelligence and integrity.
Even calling a spade a spade and being reasonably transparent is a good start.How I liked it when he was asked if he inhaled and he answered
'That was the point.'
Posted by Jay_Bravest_Face on January 27, 2009, at 0:17:02
In reply to Preemption---a true story--*Trigger*, posted by Bobby on January 24, 2009, at 22:04:36
Have you seen the movie "The Minority Report" Bobby? Reaches a bit into what you are talking about. My question would be, in your above situation, why would ordinary people have access to such weapons? I know..that is a whole different debate. But, like you, if somebody threatened anybody I loved, as much as a bleeding heart liberal I am, I'd do the same as you. No questions..no blink of an eye.
Jay
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Politics | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD, bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.