Do you believe violence against bigots is ever justified (other than purely in self-defense)?

[nomorenomore08]

I kind of lost my temper in the GD thread about the homophobic woman having a Slushee thrown in her face. I said that since these are the folks who would likely send LGBT folks to concentration camps if they could, a Slushee to the face is the least that should happen to them. Am I a bad person for this?

I'm also a heterosexual male, not that that really matters...

[johnp3907]

1. The fact that you asked if you were a bad person because of this shows that you're not.

And no I don't think it's justified. It's understandable when people lose their temper with hateful idiots like this, but I don't think it helps.

[deathrind]

2. Initiated violence is never justified.

...ever, period, end of sentence. However it is unfortunately a by product of our species limited mental capacity/evolution and until we evolve on the issue, violence will be a continuing occurrence in the spheres of life we influence.

[TDale313]

3. No, you're not a bad person for feeling that way.

Otoh, I don't think violence (except in self defense) is the answer. It also tends to be counterproductive. They've already got a huge martyr/victim complex going on. Feeding that isn't particularly helpful. That doesn't mean I don't understand the impulse.

[nomorenomore08]

4. You put it perfectly. Anger is fine, but it should be used constructively if at all possible.

[Terra Alta]

5. I don't think having a Slushee thrown at you is violence

and it's nothing compared to what LGBT people have suffered over the years. You aren't a bad person at all; I feel the same way.

[nomorenomore08]

6. My instinct is to agree with you. Even if I might have worded some of my posts a little differently.

[Behind the Aegis]

7. I am not going to say what I am thinking about that thread.

Was it wrong to throw the Slushee? Yes. Is it assault and battery? In this litigious society, you better believe it is. Does it EVEN come close to the things hurled at GLBT people...NO FUCKING WAY! Two wrongs don't make a right, but there are times when people just snap. There is the "fighting words" doctrine which allows some retaliation, and I don't know if that bigot's poster would meet those standards, but it would in my book.

They used to use a legal tactic called the "homosexual panic defense." It is still sometimes used, but doesn't succeed the way it used to in the past. Quite frankly, I see shit like that bigot's poster as leading a way to the "bigot made me batshit crazy" defense.

[nomorenomore08]

9. Can't say I'm really opposed to using people's own tactics against them.

And some of the "What about the poor bigot???" responses were a bit much as well. Not as if she was seriously harmed.

[Fearless]

8. Self defense is the only thing I find acceptable.

At a fair level of defense as well... For instance, shooting someone for calling you names... not defense.

[nomorenomore08]

11. Agreed. The response must be proportionate to the threat. n/t

[Shannon1981]

10. Unprovoked violence is never the answer.

However, no, you aren't a bad person. The fact that you even asked showed that. Also, I admit to having some pretty inappropriately violent thoughts against certain homophobes, especially the ones who bashed me and my then partner in 2004 and never saw the inside of a jail cell. Tony Perkins, Maggie Gallagher, One Million Moms, the entirety of the FRC and AFA,etc are also on that list.

These thoughts are justified, certainly. Acting on them is not.

[nomorenomore08]

12. Tony Perkins is way up on my list of folks I'd like to take a swing at as well.

Not to mention anyone who would attack a random same-sex couple just because.