Reply #12: I agree that attempting to reason with the willfully ignorant is a

[PreacherCasey]

futile pursuit. Personally, I don't waste much time on these people. For instance, if they can't agree that an Iraqi or Sudanese child's life is equally as important and meaningful as an American child's, then there is no use in speaking with them. Yes, they are dangerous and they need to be opposed. If your website helps to bring people to the cause, wonderful, but their understanding will be incomplete because they haven't renounced violence. I submit that a truly strong man will stand up for what is right regardless of the epithets and insults thrown at him. It is weak people who resort to name calling and labeling people. I grew up fighting in the streets as a kid, playing football in HS and for a year in College, and training in Mixed Martial Arts. I met a lot of tough dudes and consider myself pretty tough. One observation I've repeatedly made in living in this type of world are the guys who call other people pussies or fags or whatever are usually very insecure and self loathing themselves. They may be all muscled up, fight a lot, talk tough about war, ect but inside they feel weak and scared and have to assert themselves physically to make the feeling of inadequacy go away. They are the real "pussies" as they are slaves to their egos!

I concede the point that a "progressive" with some regressive tendencies is better than hard line religious conservative hell-bent on making everyone else adhere to his world view. I just hope that as their minds begin to open to the possibilities, they will take their new found progressive spirit and "go all the way". I don't advocate non-violence because I think a "Democrat/Liberal/Progressive" should. I advocate non-violence because it is the logical conclusion of a progressive and empathetic train of thought. IMO any retention of violence denotes a lack of understanding of the fundamental problems we, as a species, are facing.

It is a difficult problem. At least your doing something about it by reaching out to people on your website. I appreciate the fact that you are doing something and am glad to see some philosophical debate on this board. (In my few months here I feel it is lacking) I welcome your thoughts on this issue but it's off to bed for me now, so I'll respond tomorrow.