Thucydides had this figured out over 2,000 years ago.
“We had to destroy the village to save it.”
Remember that quotable quote from the Vietnam War? Yes, someone actually said it.
The sentiment marches on. Just last week, the legislature of Ireland took up a bill to restrict the living daylights out of free speech (https://www.zerohedge.com/political/we-are-restricting-freedom-common-good-irish-green-party-calls-limiting-free-speech). The purpose, said the Green Party gargoyle who is pushing it, is “To Save Democracy” by restricting speech.
How restrictive do they mean to be?
Well, they’re talkin’ (still allowed to talk, provided you’re a member of the Green Party and the chairman approves of you) about censoring–oops! that’s now “content moderation”–any speech that makes any person in any protected class to feel… “DISCOMFORT.” Wow, how about that! Dude, you just caused me discomfort! Doesn’t count–you’re a white male.
Thucydides was right. If there’s any self-destruction to be had, “democracy” will run to embrace it.
Actually, no one ever did say it except the reporter who wanted some nice anti-military copy. What his source did say was longer and explained why some of the structures had to be destroyed in order to flush out the VCs who’d established fighting stations in them. After the VC were driven out, our troops rebuilt the structures. The quotation made good antiwar copy, though, along with a lot of the other antiwar and anti-America propaganda being churned out at the time. (That propaganda and also the building of the Vietnam veteran stereotype formed the focus of my research in the early and mid 1990s, by the way.)
Thanks for the clarification. I admit this fooled me for a long time… until now.
Thanks Phoebe. I am sure there are a few things I need clarification on. I do pray, that when it comes, I am willing to accept it.
Democracy sucks! Give me a true Republic like we had in America up until the Civil War. The Internet’s WEB3 that is being built is designed to allow everyone to vote at the same time so the majority on any issue wins – no need for politics and elected officials anymore. How do you think Christians view of life we fair?