Sunday 4 November 2012

IS MODERATION THE ANSWER?

     Recently I wrote a small article called "Brutal Assault Should Meet Brutal Response", and I don't know if it encapsulated what I felt, or what I wanted to say. How do you express how you feel about a brutality that comes in polite language and in an infinite number the pieces of legislation that hack away at your quality of life, that slowly pushes more and more people over the edge, like some nicely decorated shiny new bulldozer. What should be your response when that bulldozer is driven by a smiling wealthy team in fine clothes? The advice from all fronts of the party political system is, stick to their rules, be moderate, try to negotiate with the driver of the bulldozer.
     While clicking my way through the various websites I came across this quote on the RADGEEK site, a different subject, a different time, but just as relevant in todays circumstances, it makes sense to me.
 
"I am aware that many object to the severity of my language; but is there not cause for severity? I will be as harsh as truth, and as uncompromising as justice. On this subject, I do not wish to think, or to speak, or write, with moderation. No! no! Tell a man whose house is on fire to give a moderate alarm; tell him to moderately rescue his wife from the hands of the ravisher; tell the mother to gradually extricate her babe from the fire into which it has fallen — but urge me not to use moderation in a cause like the present. I am in earnest — I will not equivocate — I will not excuse — I will not retreat a single inch — and I WILL BE HEARD."abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison (1805-1879)
ann arky's home.

I am aware that many object to the severity of my language; but is there not cause for severity? I will be as harsh as truth, and as uncompromising as justice. On this subject, I do not wish to think, or to speak, or write, with moderation. No! no! Tell a man whose house is on fire to give a moderate alarm; tell him to moderately rescue his wife from the hands of the ravisher; tell the mother to gradually extricate her babe from the fire into which it has fallen — but urge me not to use moderation in a cause like the present. I am in earnest — I will not equivocate — I will not excuse — I will not retreat a single inch — and I WILL BE HEARD. —abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison (1805-1879)

No comments:

Post a Comment