Re: GOV: US Reputation (RE: Arab World Stunned by Baghdad's Fall)

From: Mike Lorrey (mlorrey@yahoo.com)
Date: Tue Apr 15 2003 - 13:23:21 MDT

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    --- Artillo5@cs.com wrote:
    >
    > OK, seems to me this whole thing comes down to definition of terms
    > (aka
    > "lawyer's sleight of hand"). My opinions are as follows: I don't
    > consider a
    > "actual threat" as the same thing as a "potential threat". The
    > analogy about
    > the guy pulling a gun on you can be further dissected like this:
    >
    > 1. "Potential threat" is that there's some mean-looking guy walking
    > in your direction, who may or may not have a weapon (no direct
    > evidence). This may be a reson for concern, but I'm certainly not
    > going to blow the guy's head off just for looking suspicious.

    This isn't really analogous to the real world situation. Better
    description would be a gun walking in your direction, wearing gang
    colors and tatoos, who you have witnessed mugging other neighbors in
    the past, you've even stopped one of them yourself, yet the police
    refuse to do anything about the punk because he is paying various
    police commissioners off.

    Such an individual is certainly a potential threat to you, even if he
    has never threatened you, sent hit squads after you, or put out a
    contract on your head. While the police refuse to do anything about
    him, you are entirely justified in taking him on, if you are equipped
    and trained to do so, and are willing to accept the risks.

    Sure, the police will then try to prosecute you afterwards (because
    their gravy train has been cut off) but the public will know that what
    you've done is merely homicide in the public interest. If you can avoid
    prosecution, or have good lawyers, you have nothing to worry about.

    =====
    Mike Lorrey
    "Live Free or Die, Death is not the Worst of Evils."
                                                         - Gen. John Stark
    "Pacifists are Objectively Pro-Fascist." - George Orwell
    "Treason doth never Prosper. What is the Reason?
    For if it Prosper, none Dare call it Treason..." - Ovid

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