Merc - Wtf?

[sexobon]

Originally Posted by ZenGum

There's a third position - that some individuals are unchangeable, and others not. From which it follows that confronting one unredeemable bad guy (of whatever variety) might influence others into not becoming bad guys. ...

If it's the confrontation that matters, with or without a victory; then, the unredeemable bad guy who presents that opportunity is actually doing the other a favor by enabling that person to influence multiple others into not becoming bad guys. So there WAS a method to his madness in that Merc was just trying to help Ibby indirectly all along. That Merc was genius enough to do this without having to undergo change himself was just icing on the cake. Thanks for explaining it.

[Lamplighter]

@Clodfobble:

The only reason to fight at all, is because you believe you might have a chance at changing people's minds.

Another, and maybe a better, reason is to not let bigoted remarks stand without challenge or renunciation.

Originally Posted by sexobon

If it's the confrontation that matters, with or without a victory; then, the unredeemable bad guy who presents that opportunity is actually doing the other a favor by enabling that person to influence multiple others into not becoming bad guys. So there WAS a method to his madness in that Merc was just trying to help Ibby indirectly all along. That Merc was genius enough to do this without having to undergo change himself was just icing on the cake. Thanks for explaining it.

Sure, just like the KKK was doing Blacks a favor by lynching a few
to keep the others from becoming bad guys. They were just trying to help all along.
And, they were genius enough to do this without having to under change, themselves... just icing on the cake.

There must be other examples.

Facetious, or ?
...It depends on your POV.

[sexobon]

Originally Posted by Lamplighter

.. Another, and maybe a better, reason is to not let bigoted remarks stand without challenge or renunciation.

Letting them stand without acknowlegement, as with trolls, may be best.

Originally Posted by Lamplighter

Sure, just like the KKK was doing Blacks a favor by lynching a few to keep the others from becoming bad guys. They were just trying to help all along. And, they were genius enough to do this without having to under change, themselves... just icing on the cake.

There must be other examples.

Facetious, or ?
...It depends on your POV.

Lamp, I was toying with Zen because he's a good guy with a sense of humor who recognizes sarcasm.

[SamIam]

Originally Posted by sexobon

Letting them stand without acknowlegement, as with trolls, may be best.

Yeah, Like no one here EVER feeds the trolls. And stop tickling me or you might make me laugh.

If someone feels strongly enough about an issue, of course they should speak out. Even if their opinion is not popular. Even if everyone else disagrees.

When the Nazis came for the communists,
I remained silent;
I was not a communist.

When they locked up the social democrats,
I remained silent;
I was not a social democrat.

When they came for the trade unionists,
I did not speak out;
I was not a trade unionist.

When they came for the Jews,
I remained silent;
I wasn't a Jew.

When they came for me,
there was no one left to speak out.

- Wikiquote