Opinion of John Brown

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Freedom Fighter in the most literal sense of the word.

[nini2287]

Freedom figher who overstepped his bounds a little bit.

[The Dowager Mod]

Crazy

[A18]

John Brown brutally murdered innocent people.

[DanielX]

Both. His motives were justifiable, but his means often were not.

[Jake]

Horrible Person

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Horrible Person

But the IRA blowing up shopping malls is good.

[Jake]

They were fighting for Catholic freedoms. Brown was fighting for blacks.

[patrick1]

They were fighting for Catholic freedoms. Brown was fighting for blacks.

LOL.  Easy Jake.

[nini2287]

They were fighting for Catholic freedoms. Brown was fighting for blacks.

What if Africans had enslaved whites instead?

[Jake]

What if Africans had enslaved whites instead?

LOL

[patrick1]

John Brown was an absolute nutjob.  I could respect his abolitionism and could even defend his taking up arms if it were not for the fact that the man had no clear plan for eradicating slavery.  He simply killed people in their beds because the voices in his head told him to. 

[Jake]

They were fighting for Catholic freedoms. Brown was fighting for blacks.

What if Africans had enslaved whites instead?

Seriously though, this idea is hypothetical, so I'll answer. I'd fight against/support any group who was oppressing my interests, whether it be African "overlords" or anti-Catholic fools like BRTD.

[Alcon]

They were fighting for Catholic freedoms. Brown was fighting for blacks.

What if Africans had enslaved whites instead?

Seriously though, this idea is hypothetical, so I'll answer. I'd fight against/support any group who was oppressing my interests, whether it be African "overlords" or anti-Catholic fools like BRTD.

So, basically you'd fight against anyone who isn't what you are. 

[Jake]

Exactly. I fight for my interests, whether they be national, local, or personal.

[Alcon]

Exactly. I fight for my interests, whether they be national, local, or personal.

Even if you believe those interests to be an uneven burden upon others relative to your own gain?

[Jake]

Yes, though that is usually factored into the equation to find out what is in my best interest. It may be in my interest to not pay taxes, but it's not in my interest to see the government lose tax revenue. On the other hand, if a government was forcing a religion upon me, my only recourse would be to violently remove that government, simply because I put more weight upon my free practice of religion than the lives of those I eliminate.

[opebo]

Exactly. I fight for my interests, whether they be national, local, or personal.

This is very reasonable, racist.  However it is not reasonable to lose your use of reason and language.  Call Brown and that Gerry what's his name the same thing - terrorist or freedom fighter - and then say which you like and which you dislike due to where your interests lie. 

Of course I consider both John Brown and that Mick freedom fighters, and I dislike both of them personal due to their religiousity.

[Wakie]

Yes, though that is usually factored into the equation to find out what is in my best interest. It may be in my interest to not pay taxes, but it's not in my interest to see the government lose tax revenue. On the other hand, if a government was forcing a religion upon me, my only recourse would be to violently remove that government, simply because I put more weight upon my free practice of religion than the lives of those I eliminate.

Didn't Saddam make a similar argument?

[??????????]

A horrible man who brutally murdered women and children in their sleep. Thankfully the commonwealth of Virginia put an end to that whackjob.

[Democratic Hawk]

Horrible Person. He could have made a principled stand against slavery without the violent tactics. Peaceful protests against any injustice works in the long run. For example, Rosa Parks' stand against segregation in Alabama

Perhaps, if the ANC and PLO, had not acted with needless violence, emancipatory ideals for South African blacks and Palestinians would have been achieved a lot quicker

Dave

[nini2287]

Exactly. I fight for my interests, whether they be national, local, or personal.

Can you explain how slavery and the oppression of blacks is a national interest given they make up a large portion of our population?

[opebo]

Horrible Person. He could have made a principled stand against slavery without the violent tactics. Peaceful protests against any injustice works in the long run. For example, Rosa Parks' stand against segregation in Alabama

That is ridiculous!  Peacefu protest only works against a fairly tolerant opponent, not facists.  The only reason Rosa Parks and that crowd weren't simply jailed or slaughtered by the white Southerners was because of the intervention of the North.

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No, the violence was good.  But of course what ended apartheit was economic pressure from the outside.

[Democratic Hawk]

Horrible Person. He could have made a principled stand against slavery without the violent tactics. Peaceful protests against any injustice works in the long run. For example, Rosa Parks' stand against segregation in Alabama

That is ridiculous!  Peacefu protest only works against a fairly tolerant opponent, not facists.  The only reason Rosa Parks and that crowd weren't simply jailed or slaughtered by the white Southerners was because of the intervention of the North.

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No, the violence was good.  But of course what ended apartheit was economic pressure from the outside.

I think we can agree to differ on this

Dave

[Gustaf]

I have a positive opinion, so I voted Freedom Fighter. But obviously he went too far. On the other hand, you could say the same of his enemies.