Human beings have more potential for good than any other people on earth. We have the free will to change our minds, and from there the course of history. People can change and do, and must, or face extinction.
I have this thing about murder and killing. I think it's wrong. I'm against it. I am very gray on most issues except this. Killing is wrong, because it can't be changed. When somebody's dead, they're dead.
Therefore I am against abortion, capital punishment, euthanasia, suicide and lethal warfare. It's wrong to kill. It gives the phrase moral certainty its oxymoronic quality.
Not only is killing wrong, it's ineffective. Because when we kill a father, his family rises up. Thus our enemies multiply even as they are subtracted.
It's wrong, it's ineffective and it's unnecessary. Human beings are so smart, it's heart stopping. We are right now exploring Mars a rock at a time, we've seen the finger of creation through Hubble's eyes. There seems to be nothing we can't achieve, no problem we can't solve, if we could just stop killing each other.
When we kill each other, we kill more and more of each other in a roughly exponential way until one side or the other hollers uncle, assuming it's possible. The sound of surrender is hard to hear if you're headless.
Am I glib? A gliberal? No. I'm sincere.
The only reason we've never pursued nonlethal weaponry for warfare is not for wont of imagination but satisfaction. Nonlethal weaponry falls in the same category as non-alcoholic beer, low-tar cigarettes and Playboy magazine.
We can bring down an elephant without killing it. We can bag a bunch of monkeys if we need to. We can't harm an animal while making movies. Why can't we exercise the same care when it comes to the forceful handling of our own species?
Article comments
1 - KBeilke
What is this utopia? We can't even get rid of the nuclear weapons in this world, how are we going to get ride of rifles, tanks, knives, and everything else?
I understand you are sincere but there is a certain amount of reality that is involved.
2 - CW Fisher
Ah, Mr. Beilke!
Yes, there is always reality involved. Of course, reality is only as good as you make it.
You're wondering why we'd have to die while they get to live? If the weapons are effective enough, we should actually be safer.
3 - Jonathan
It's cheaper to just kill them.
4 - Shark
"...when we kill a father, his family rises up. Thus our enemies multiply even as they are subtracted."
We should stop teaching them math!
"Killing is wrong, because it can't be changed. When somebody's dead, they're dead."
This will be news to Mel Gibson and 200 million movie-goers.
(Doh! I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, forgive me! As soon as I hit the POST button, I was sorry!)
5 - CW Fisher
You ever thought what the world would be like if everybody rose up like Jim Caviesal and walked around for 40 days before ascending into the sky? It would be a neverending ectoplasmic traffic jam. Little kids would be afraid to play outside, and inside, because souls would be coming through the plumbing. You know that feeling of relief you get when you leave a scary movie, when you have to tell yourself it was just a movie? That didn't happen for me with The Passion. Also I kept waiting for this bloody face to turn and say, "Help me!"
War just isn't the same without Bob Hope. Who should replace him?
How about the Muppets? Now that Disney owns them, they're everywhere a legend can be sold out.
Wouldn't it be cool to march Big Bird directly into a raging Iraqi crowd? He could pass out balloons.
What would Goofy do? I bet they'd rip him leg from leg, him and his little dog Pluto.
I honestly think we should throw the Iraqis some head scratchers. Catapult pies at them. Or water balloons. Send in a few strippers. Play with them. Invite them to a dance. Hand out gallons of free Gatorade, compliments of Your Team Here. Fireworks. When was the last time these folks saw fireworks? Come on. Party time, USA style.
That's what's been missing. Corporate sponsorship. Get these Iraqis some Gap to fall into. And would a little makeup hurt? Ladies? How about Schick, can we buy in a few billion razors, please?
You ask yourself why these people are so angry, well, when was the last time they had a hamburger?
Mickey Rooney is still alive. Let's send him over there. He's peppy. That's what we need now, is pep.
6 - Shark
IRAQ: HOW DANGEROUS IS IT?
It's so dangerous, Bob Hope called and said he'd go there as soon as it's safe --and he's dead!
~bada-bing!