p51 wrote:
Heck, I know plenty of people who are offended by violence in any form (the types who think violence never solved anything.
You can add me to your list. I'm not only offended by violence, but appalled, disgusted and an avid believer that violence, in and of itself, never solved anything. Violence is inexcusable. Wars don't end by violence, they usually end by a truce, treaty or capitulation. Just using violence to solve problems is a problem itself. It makes people fear you instead of solving the problem peacefully. But just so the pro-shoot first guys don't become too offended, ... yes! I have used violence a few times in my past with tragic results, and of which is the reason I'm lucky to get 3 to 4 hours of somewhat un-restless sleep a night. .... Violence is easily one of the most vile words I know.
"Through violence you may murder a murderer, but you can't murder murder. Through violence you may murder a liar, but you can't establish truth. Through violence you may murder a hater, but you can't murder hate. Darkness cannot put out darkness. Only light can do that." — Martin Luther King, Jr. But I'm not naive enough to accept just one side of the debate. Like most things there's always a flip side to that coin. To use physical violence to overcome a situation? Unfortunately and tragically yes as violence is often inevitable and justifiable. Sometimes violence is necessary. "Love your enemies" is a quaint notion that we could not apply to Hitler or ISIL.
“Violence, naked force, has settled more issues in history than has any other factor, and the contrary opinion is wishful thinking at its worst. Breeds that forget this basic truth have always paid for it with their lives and their freedoms”
― Robert A. Heinlein
So I can reluctantly accept both views pro and con, but that will never mean I will stop being offended by violence to the highest order. I can only wish that most practical folks share a common reality that violence, in and of itself, is immoral, unethical and unrighteous ... To use.
But that's just me ...
Meanwhile back to that Warbird Museum. Are atheists allowed entry?