Protests: Radical vs. Non-violent

Thought this could make for an interesting discussion - rock the vote or riot on Main Street? Here's a few examples to get things rolling, I'll add more once the thread gets off the ground.

"Legitimate" (ie. non-violent) forms of dissent:
- voting
- petitions
- picket lines
- strikes
- boycotts
- mass gatherings

Pros: Mass appeal
Cons: Easy to ignore/suppress

"Illegitimate" (ie. radical) expressions of dissent:
- vandalism
- riots
- rebellions
- and any and all other radically disruptive tactics

Pros: Demand immediate response
Cons: Don't have the support of the moderate majority

Rioting harms innocent people and isn't directed at the source of the problem. So I would agree that is illegitimate and not very useful. Vandalism and rebelling can be legitimate, but need to be careful and done correctly. A legitimate rebellion often just turns into rioting and killing and that isn't legitimate. Also violence should always be the last action.

Pain is a measure of last resort, it is the essence of pointing out something is very, very wrong. So, you have to seek out the wrongness, and right it. Sometimes, violence is necessary. If someone has decided their fate and comes at you with the intent to end your life, if you wish to live, you must kill this person. It is not something you do lightly or revel in, but it is indeed necessary and the the only wrongness in it is that said person tried to inflict harm upon you in the first place. Things should always be resolved peacefully, if possible, but it is not always possible. The circumstances show us that this is true. It is unfortunate, and mother's will weep, but it had to happen.

Change can be brought about by ideas and concepts. We don't have to twist each other's arms to prove a point, but it does get the point across, and as I have already said, is sometimes necessary. Hopefully as we grow older, the need for violence and war will vanish and we can resolve our problems with talking, thinking, and peace.

@ mods: This thread sucks.

It should be deleted and OP should be banned. Or better yet, it should be be tacked onto my new thread.

Let's violently protest this thread!! :lolxtreme: