Jim, I actually think that's exactly what King was saying. �The thugs who constituted law enforcement in Montgomery were basically armed criminals. �He fought them with non-violence. �When his house was firebombed by white supremicists, he did not tell people to go lynch the first white guy they saw. �He told them to pray and to give up their desire for vengence.
Without actually admitting it, you and your neighbors, armed with cellphones, patrolling in groups large enough to witness all around you, are following Dr. King's creed. You just haven't gotten to the point where you believe that it is the best option in all situations. � Gandhi said, and I paraphrase, that it is better to not fight than to fight, but also that fighting was better than cowardice. �However, I don't think that involved an armed citizenry. You ask what would have happened if the Jews of Europe had been armed. �I ask what would have happened if they had been organized, if they marched in the street en masse. �Would many have died? �Probably. �As many as died in the camps? �Probably not. �Would Hitler have been stopped before he started? �Perhaps. � The power commanded and courage demanded by a philosophy of non-violence is staggering. �Imagine what deaths would have been wrought by full scale colonial war in India, compared to the number of deaths that were brought about through non-violent struggle. �Many died, but not near as many as might have. �And Great Britain was shamed into giving up 'the jewel in the crown'. �Powerful indeed. I work where you live and I lived there for a few years before it was Ventura Village. �I have been in some of the situations you write about. �In every instance, the force of decency and non-violent outrage, as well as a ready dialing finger, has prevailed. �I've owned guns (not in Minnesota). �I don't now, and I never intend to again. �I don't want to live in a society where I 'need' a gun. �I would rather work to change that society, as you do, as the other 'wolfhounds' you alude to do. If you want to stop violence, you have to stop being violent. �It has to become the last possible option, not the first preferable choice. �Nobody said it was easy. �It's much, much harder than the path of violence. �Any idiot can pull a trigger. �What takes real courage is to be, as you say, 'willing to stand in the door.' Eric Oines Lind-Bohanon Green Party Endorsed Candidate House Seat 58A New Ideas for the NEW Northside Jim Graham wrote: From: "JIM �GRAHAM" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Citizens for a Loring Park Community" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, � <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [Mpls] Violence begets violence Date: Sat, 15 Jun 2002 01:51:01 -0500 Jena, I believe Dr. King was referring to using violence for social action during demonstrations against entrenched authority. �I do not believe for a minute he was talking about armed criminals. �I believe even Dr. King would have had a different thought about protecting children against armed Klan members. I often wonder what would have happened if the Jews of Europe had been armed. �Would the jack booted cowards have been as willing to kick in the door with a mother behind it with a shotgun protecting her children? I don't think so. A great deal of the atrocities that occur in the world are because strong people do not stand and say "NO". �"Not only can you not do this to me and my family, but you may not do it to weaker people in my community either." Of course there will always be prey for predators, but the wolves are slower if one of the wooly beasts that they stalk happens to be a wolf hound from time to time. �Not every person can be that wolfhound, but there are enough scattered through our society to protect the weak. If the "Wolfhounds" are ethical enough to not allow the sheep to be eaten. I think citizen patrols armed with cell phones are the preferable technique. A bunch of fools running around with guns scare me as much as criminals. Remember when the James gang got shot up in Northfield in the week that followed more "posse" members were shot by other "posse" members than were criminals. With that being said, I am very glad my wife was willing and brave enough to protect herself and our children. �It is part of what makes her brave enough to live where we do, and for her to do the things she does to help others in our community. She is brave enough to care, and smart enough to be willing to fight for what she believes in. There are those who advocate that when women are being raped they should submit and not fight. �In my self defense classes I teach women that this is foolish and will only get them hurt even more. �Some times it is necessary to call on the force of "Moral Outrage", �and fight and hurt your assailant as much as possible. Remember this is a predator who has hurt others, and if you reward him with easy prey he will surely hurt others after you. Much of the evil we see is because someone does not have the courage or "Moral Outrage" to confront it. Our young people should be taught that there is no higher honor than to be a "Dog Soldier" for your people. That when the horror is raging at their people's doorstep, they �are willing to stand in it and say, " you may go no further". Jim Graham, Ventura Village - and willing to stand in the door __________________________________________________________________ Your favorite stores, helpful shopping tools and great gift ideas. Experience the convenience of buying online with Shop@Netscape! http://shopnow.netscape.com/ Get your own FREE, personal Netscape Mail account today at http://webmail.netscape.com/ _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
