|
|||
 |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|||
 |
|||
|
|
|
|
 | ||||
 | ||||
| The Only Thing I Need For You to Know: A Notice to Everyone Else. I happen to be in an enviable position. I follow a philosophy that in no way requires the participation of others. I don’t even need for you to know the name. If your tenets aren’t my tenets, that is fine. The principles I live by are rigid, some say insanely so, but not for you. Except for one. And it is on this account that I write you, because it is this one principle most people violate compulsively and repeatedly. I adhere to an absolute prohibition regarding unprovoked violence. At this point, many of you are likely confused. You probably believe that this point is a non-starter. “I’m not a thug!” is something you might say. Unfortunately, if you’re an average person, you’re wrong. Most of you advocate violence on a scale that a simple street thug could never conceive of. Conservatism, liberalism, socialism, communism, theocracy are all the same in this regard. All of the statistically dominant ethical and political ideologies hold one trait in common. You can’t practice them, unless I practice them. Trust me, philosophically and ethically; I don’t need you to act in accordance with a single belief I hold. Except regarding violence. This is the exact opposite of the standard view. If you’re of the “Right” side of the ethical/political persuasion you hold very specific views on when it is appropriate to point a gun at my head. Usually involving your religion. There are an infinite amount of things the “Right” advocates preventing, and the only way to stop “whatever” is violence. Never mind the peaceful or private intentions of the victim. Violence is the final appeal of the conservative. If you’re on the “Left” side of the above continuum you’re a strong advocate for the gun as well. Usually involving ideology. There are an equally infinite number of things the “Left” advocates building, and the only way to ensure “whatever” is violence. Never mind the peaceful or private intentions of the victim. Violence is the final appeal of the progressive. The political/ethical “Middle” is no different. It’s simply a salt and pepper mix of the above. Destroy a little bit. Build a little bit. However, the methods of the “Left” and “Right” are not up to question. Only the ends to strive for are up for debate, never the means. Violence is the final appeal of the moderate. This cannot continue, and I need for you to understand that. You aren’t justified in taking my money or my life to save my soul. You aren’t justified in taking my money or my life to build the pyramids. Supporting measures to deny a person the free non-violent use of their own life is advocating death by increments. Supporting measures to deny a person the free use of their resources or possessions is advocating theft. It is irrelevant if it is the government or the mafia implementing the killing or theft. It is irrelevant if you personally hold the gun to my head or vote for a proxy to do it. My life and resources are not yours to command. Ponder that very closely as you vote on the premise of “You can’t be allowed to do that!” or “We’ve got to do this!” Theft and destruction of life is the province of the thug, the criminal. Their advocates wind up dead in a ditch or in prisons. Advocates of theft and death by proxy wind up in the same ditch. If you desire the implementation of your morality, put down the gun and make your case. If you desire for you social goals to be realized, put down the gun and make your case. You cannot force me to contribute to your goals. You can only force me to defend myself. | ||||
| ||||
 |
 |
|
 |
|
