(01-02-2022 11:20 AM)georgewebb Wrote:  

(01-01-2022 09:44 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  Is violence against the government ever justified?

My first reaction was “no, never “.

But then I thought about the origins of our country, in the Revolutionary War, and the origins of other countries in rebellions, from Russia to Cuba to Korea. I thought about the Resistance in WW II. I thought about all the various protests. I thought about all the various riots, from Watts forward. I thought about Seattle, and the Autonomous District.

I don’t know how to answer this or put parameters about my response. But it is very thought provoking. I would like to hear the thoughts of others on the topic.

As an avid student of history, and particularly political and military history, I've thought about this question a great deal for a long time -- about 45 years. My views are fairly summarized as follows:

Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed or light and transient causes.... But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

Of course, it's not just my view. Some may recognize the source:
https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/d...transcript

Thanks, George.

I wonder how many of the Jan 6 rioters saw themselves in this light?