The quote of the day for December
2nd is as follows:
“An individual who breaks
a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the
penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over
its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for the law.”
Martin Luther King
A fine line indeed and a concept that has been touched on by yellowarmadillos
in connection with civil disorder during the “occupy wall street” movement, the behavior of
congress persons in Wisconsin to avoid a vote on public unions, and organized disruptions
on college campuses (the pepper spraying incident).
I can accept, and appreciate, the concept expressed in the
quote. Being a child of the 60s I have
seen many instances of civil disobedience with which I agreed and I am glad
they did it. Further, I can imagine
situations, in which all legal avenues have been exhausted, where I might even
do so.
That having been said, the fact that I would be willing to
break a law in protest against a law that I feel is unjust does not make it
right and I see no logical path to justify saying it shows respect for the law.
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