The paradox of tolerance

[Dragan Glas]

Greetings,

I faced somewhat similar animosity from someone in a pub in the UK.

He was an Irish chap who was banging on about the British. Turned out he'd been in the Royal Marines but had refused to serve in Northern Ireland, and had either left or been "let go". He seemed to think that Britain ran the Republic because he hadn't been allowed to enter Portlaoise (the prison where IRA, and other members of banned paramilitaries are held).

Trying to point out to him that NI would eventually either become part of the Republic or independent of the UK due to the simple fact that Catholics have more children than Protestants - resulting in the demographics shifting towards Irish nationalism - wasn't good enough for him. He told me that if I didn't fight for Irish freedom, he'd kill me.

You can't reason with those who aren't prepared to let things happen in their own time.

21DL, you'll probably find that those who are antagonistic towards your pacifism interpret it that you're not willing to defend your country.

Kindest regards,

James

 

[Deleted member 42253]

Actually, I am not willing to defend my country ... at all. I do not have a nationalist or patriotic bone in my body and I honestly do not care who is in charge of my country. Of course to a point, I would make an exception for genocidal maniacs of course. And I certainly do not blame anyone for defending himself.

Take NI for example. Does it really matter who is in charge? Independence, reunification or staying in the UK ... each one of those options is okey. Neither is an oppressive regime, neither is persecuting or killing people .. and none of those options justifies fighting to the death over it.

And thats about the point in the conversation that starts the bar fight.