The entire point of civil disobedience is to deliberately, openly, and publicly accept the penalties that come from breaking an evil law. You have to go to jail, in other words. The goal is to make people say “Wait. This guy is a good guy! And they’re putting him in jail for this stupid law?!? And what he did, that was illegal in the first place? Well, it shouldn’t be. That poor guy.”
Yes, that makes life uncomfortable for the person engaged in civil disobedience. Probably permanently so. But that’s the idea. That’s how you make people ashamed at the injustice, and at the system that created the injustice. If you’re not ready to take that step, fine. But you’re not this guy…
In no sense do I advocate evading or defying the law, as would the rabid segregationist. That would lead to anarchy. One who breaks an unjust law must do so openly, lovingly, and with a willingness to accept the penalty. I submit that an individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust. and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for law.
…so don’t pretend that you are.
Damon, that guy can write. Shame he never got himself a blog.
Damn autocorrect.
Come, I will tell you a secret: if a misspelling/autocorrect happens to still work, just move on. “Never apologize, never explain” is the motto of the SCA bard. 🙂
…Unless you *have* to, of course. But in most cases it’s not really necessary.
I’m surprised I haven’t seen a filk version of “For the Love of Barbara Allen” done as “For the Love of Barry Allen” and posted on YouTube.
The Ballad of Barry Allen, by Jim’s Big Ego.
What do you mean? Think of a blog as an open letter.
.
…An open letter that you can link to other letters/newsarticles and embed videos/images.