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Monday, June 17, 2002
13:57 - Fighting the Sandalistas
http://warnow.blogspot.com/2002_06_16_warnow_archive.html#77820517

(top) link
This article at War Now! could well be considered the manifesto for the new worldwide face-off that's coming-- deserving like nothing else has been of the title World War III.

The Kiwi author draws the battle lines as being between "civilization" and "barbarism"-- the former of which is exemplified by the capitalist and democratic middle class of the Western states, and the latter of which is an unlikely coalition between the "Jackboots"-- classic political idealists who have given us Hitler and Stalin-- and the "Sandals", or in other words the hippie-activist-Islamofascist axis. The members of this last group are described in many an example.

The article is good reading, and I recommend it-- except that there's one point where in his delineation of the Sandalistas faction, he lumps in-- as though out of hand-- the euthanasia supporters and abortion activists, tarring them along with destructionist barbarians as being "anti-human". I'm afraid I have to disagree there, as do some of the people in the article's Comments. I would say that being in favor of euthanasia and the right-to-die, as well as of abortion rights, is an affirmation of life. The issue involved is as follows: Begin with two lives, one happy, one miserable. Make your choice. Would you rather see a) two lives, both somewhat miserable, or b) one life, happy?

I hold that happiness is a force multiplier for life. And so one happy life is much preferable to two dismal ones.

This is a stance, I feel, that affirms the sanctity of life, but in a scientifically rational way. I'm of the mind that the purpose of being here on Earth is to maximize happiness and minimize suffering for the maximum number of people, and that goal cannot be achieved simply by setting as your carrot "saving all lives at all costs". It involves being a lot more judicious; and if an elderly relative is suffering in a coma, or if a baby would be born into a home that's lacking in attention or love, then it's criminal to sacrifice overall quality of life-- and cause additional suffering-- simply because of an unwillingness to end a life purely because it's human. That, I feel, is one of the most civilized levels a society can reach.

Other than that, though, thumbs-up.

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© Brian Tiemann