Monday, February 21, 2011
Common Sense
SOME writers have so confounded society with government, as to leave little or no distinction between them; whereas they are not only different, but have different origins. Society is produced by our wants, and government by our wickedness; the former promotes our happiness positively by uniting our affections, the latter negatively by restraining our vices. The one encourages intercourse, the other creates distinctions. The first is a patron, the last a punisher.
Society in every state is a blessing, but government even in its best state is but a necessary evil in its worst state an intolerable one; for when we suffer, or are exposed to the same miseries by a government, which we might expect in a country without government, our calamities is heightened by reflecting that we furnish the means by which we suffer! Government, like dress, is the badge of lost innocence; the palaces of kings are built on the ruins of the bowers of paradise. For were the impulses of conscience clear, uniform, and irresistibly obeyed, man would need no other lawgiver; but that not being the case, he finds it necessary to surrender up a part of his property to furnish means for the protection of the rest; and this he is induced to do by the same prudence which in every other case advises him out of two evils to choose the least. Wherefore, security being the true design and end of government, it unanswerably follows that whatever form thereof appears most likely to ensure it to us, with the least expense and greatest benefit, is preferable to all others.
-- Thomas Paine, "Common Sense", Philadelphia, Feb. 14, 1776.
Killing people who oppose the government
Libyan military aircraft fired live ammunition at crowds of anti-government protesters in Tripoli, Al Jazeera television reported on Monday, quoting witnesses for its information.
"What we are witnessing today is unimaginable. Warplanes and helicopters are indiscriminately bombing one area after another. There are many, many dead," Adel Mohamed Saleh said.
Governor: NATO Offensive Killed 64 Civilians in Afghanistan’s Kunar Province from antiwar.com
A four day NATO offensive in Afghanistan’s Kunar Province has left at least 64 innocent civilians dead and several others wounded, according to both the provincial governor and the provincial police chief.
Gen. Ziayi, the police chief, said that of the slain, 15 were men, 20 women and 29 were children. The governor later confirmed the overall total but reported only 26 children, with 16 men and 22 women.
The public health director for Kunar says that eight civilians are still being treated for major injuries sustained in the offensive, including four children. He also said that officials have called on the Red Cross to investigate the attacks.
Seven Killed in US Drone Strike Against South Waziristan from antiwar.com
A US Predator drone fired three missiles at a house in a tiny village of South Waziristan this evening, killing at least seven people whom officials described as “suspects.”
Families Mourn Those Who Died During Protests from WSJ
An estimated 300 people were killed during the 18 days of turmoil. Most died on the night of Jan. 28—when Hadir was killed—and the next day, largely from police gunfire, according to human-rights groups and witnesses.
The Egyptian health minister said Monday the government would identify those killed, distinguishing between "martyrs"—or innocent victims—and "thugs"—such as hired troublemakers. Families of the martyrs would be compensated, he said, adding that the number of martyrs is likely above 300.
Bahrain: terror as protesters shot. Live updates from Guardian(UK)
Bahrain: Five people are believed to have been killed and scores injured after Bahraini security forces raided peaceful protests in Pearl roundabout in the early hours of Thursday morning. Pictures have emerged showing brutal injuries sustained by protesters and, in one case, a young child. Riot police also targeted doctors and medics, while ambulances were prevented from reaching Pearl roundabout to collect the wounded.
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