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Originally Posted by ratbastid
It's really only a question of whether your life is for you, or for all of humanity.
Let's go ahead and assume that the man died while leaving us an indelible image of the power of peaceful resistance. If he's got his life constituted not for himself but for all humanity--or even just all of China--then his death is well worth it.
Gandhi's life wasn't for himself. Reverend King's life wasn't for himself. Their lives were handed over to a bigger concern than their own survival, and they were willing to lay themselves down in service of that concern.
This thread is now officially Far Afield.
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Martyrs are great, especially if it's not me. I'm not willing to give my life to a greater cause. I'm more interested in my own cause. More power to those that are willing to martyr themselves. Suicide bombers seem to think that they are laying themselves down for a greater cause.
Thank you for the reminder.
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Originally Posted by dksuddeth
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No politicians aren't different. I'm not surprised that Obama waffles on an issue. He's a politician. It's part of the definition of the game of politics.
I really don't know why Americans are surprised and shocked that things happen with lying, graft, corruption, embezzlement, nepotism, and cronyism. It isn't much different than any other countries, the biggest difference is that we have due process to criminalize their actions and can remove them from office since they don't serve uncontestable life terms in office.
It seems to me that many think that politicians are above being human.
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