Opinions, Reflections and Lessons

Two years ago this morning a set of events unfolded that no one in the near future will be able to forget. A group of men, who thought their cause superseded all others, effectively plunged the United States into a poorly planned offensive against terrorism. Ironically the United States has now placed this offensive and national security as more important than any other aspects of its own democracy. This extremism occurs on much smaller scales than international. Individuals and organizations with forceful opinions parade as if their issue demands the undivided attention of every person. Ann Arbor is a hotbed for such people. And although they generally do not resort to violence, they are successful in further dividing people of different opinions. To be clear: I?m an advocate of thinking for your self. I?m an advocate of common sense. I?m an advocate of staying true to one?s convictions. However I could never advocate fanaticism that arbitrarily places the value of one man?s opinion or his life less than that of another?s.

That being said, I think it is important to remember the victims of terrorism - all of them, not just those from the United States. Refusing to accept their deaths as meaningless should fuel the drive to correct the problems that inspired such violence in the first place. And although the concepts of fairness and justice may seem forgotten, there is always a lesson to be learned.

Through violence you may murder a murderer, but you can't murder murder.

Through violence you may murder a liar, but you can’t establish truth.

Through violence you may murder a hater, but you can’t murder hate.

Darkness cannot put out darkness. Only light can do that….

– Martin Luther King, Jr.

1 Comments:

• Mike on September 14, 2003 ~ 12:00 AM

  “it doesnt make sense.” dose r da words spoken by a foolish man. a man u and i r familiar with. i caution using “common sense” too often, for the world is full of wonders dat shouldnt be looked at as a monolithic entity. everything depends on everything else. violence probably shouldnt be one’s 1st option. but to eliminate it from ur arsenal, would be, suboptimal.