Quote:
Originally Posted by TheMercenary
Sort of like the world wide blackmailing done by muslim extremists anytime someone does something they disagree with? Threatened executions, murders, bombings, etc?
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Yes. Exactly.
I find the galactic overreaction on our part in response to such actions undesirable and unhelpful. I find it on par with capitulating with any other blackmailer or extortionist--it fuels further blackmail and extortion.
Take as an example our insane airport screening procedures in place today. I have no problem being forbidden from carrying onboard my pocket knife or box cutter. That's fine. Must I be patted down though? Must I remove my shoes though? No bottles of water, etc? Look at the threat; look at the response. Even if the original intention of the threat was some physical harm (or to burn some books), the end result of the FEARMONGERING was as bad or worse that the original threat! AND we have be bonus of not having solved the original problem! We're still at risk! Korans could still be burned! Blackmail *needs* two willing parties to both do their part. Blackmail *fails* when either party doesn't do their part.
**I** have the power to choose whether or not **I** am vulnerable or invulnerable to blackmail. It doesn't have to work. I hope it doesn't work.