Isaac- 2/19/07 Is Violence Ever a Good Idea?

"Peace is not without conflict but it is the ability to cope with conflict," Leo Miguel Giron
I beleive the founder of the phillipino knife and stick fighting art, escrima, has powerful words in this statement. This topic is something I've done a lot of thinking about over the years and has really shaped much of my perspective of the world. When I was younger, most likely in the naivte and absence of knowing how to throw a punch, I claimed to be an avid pacifist. In my social circle this did now play out well and I've taken a good share of injuries because of it. As I grew older I obviously did not want this to repeat and so my white flag excuse of pacifism, a philosophy of self victimization, was no longer used. The subject is still ambigious in my mind but I say this with conviction: I don't beleive in an eye for an eye but if you try to snatch out my eye or the eye of anyone I love, I'll take your head.