Today we say that the beheadings and crucifixions of ISIS remove
them from the company of civilized men. They should be annihilated to the last
man, we hear on cable TV.
But the Romans beheaded St. Paul and crucified Christ. Queen
Elizabeth beheaded her cousin Queen Mary, even as her mother Anne Boleyn had
been beheaded by her father Henry VIII, who also decapitated Sir Thomas More.
The French Revolution Jefferson loved used at its instrument
of justice the guillotine, to which Louis XVI and his queen Marie Antoinette
were sent. Those heroes of the Revolution, Danton and Robespierre, were
guillotined, as was Charlotte Corday, four days after she stabbed to death in a
bathtub a third great man of the revolution, Marat.
I have no conflicted conscience regarding whence I came or where Men must soon go.
I have no problem with the Hard Things.
Here's the entire PJB piece. I commend it to you.
Kerodin
III
I think a guillotine is a much more civilized way of execution than cutting someone's head off with a dull knife or sword, for me that's where the difference lies between ISIS and the french revolution etc.
ReplyDeleteRevolution and war is not a pretty business, I understand that, but there's shades of gray imo.
PJB is merely pointing out the hypocrisy of those who like to think Western Civilization became dominant without taking heads. He's certainly not making excuses for ISIS. ;)
DeleteTaking heads will always have a place in Human Discourse, in every culture and Tribe, until we evolve into something better than Human.
"Taking heads will always have a place in Human Discourse, in every culture and Tribe, until we evolve into something better than Human."
DeleteHa..."Human Discourse"? Must be like that Candid Exchange of Views!
Anyway, if it's "better" (your word) not to, then why the acquiescence? I'm not saying it won't be necessary, especially with the way things look now, but personally I find, "It's always been that way," a remarkably poor justification for just about anything. Among other problems, it can stunt creativity and if there's ever been a time when creativity is essential, this is it.
Jim, why would taking a head not be a candid exchange of views? Have you not agreed in past discussions that Extirpation is a positive action in some circumstances? Anyway, his use of "Human Discourse" doesn't strictly mean verbal discussion, although that is part of the theme he's reflecting on, it's more a reference to the overall picture of PJB's article, that one society will use varied actions to secure new territory. And to suggest K lacks creativity is inaccurate.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, Columbus was lost.
Wow, I must've set a record for lack of clarity there. The first part was just a complete crack..."Discourse," "Exchange of Views"...get it?
DeleteI wasn't commenting on K's creativity at all. I was trying to point out what I pointed out, that I think "It's always been that way" is a poor justification for almost anything, a derivative result of which--besides the principle of it, I mean--is that it can stifle creativity. "Among other problems..."
I can imagine lots of charges against K--hell, I've seen dozens!--but lack of creativity isn't one of them. Hopefully that''s clearer; thanks for asking.
Yep, it's clearer. I agree with your assesment of "it's always been that way is a piss poor excuse for gettng shit done. I viewed your words too literally, that frame of mind is because I'm putting my sarcasm aside for now. Why am I doing that? because it's time to get feral for the upcoming rodeo. Yes, I know how much negative energy that word holds.
ReplyDeleteK, I'll not post my thoughts from now on.
Stay Safe, In Liberty.
Nope, your resignation is not accepted. ;)
DeleteSee you in our part of the world soon.
K
I wouldn't accept your resignation either, were it any of my business. I know this much---"feral" never sounded so good.
Delete