TV's Frink said:
xhonzi said:
Warbler said:
xhonzi said:
...I think more are saying, "What if this isn't what it appears to be? If it's not, then it's probably someone trying to manipulte my actions. What reaction are they looking for? That's the one I don't want to give."
not really sure what any of that has to do with the Boston bombing or conspiracy theories of it and other things like it.
If the intended reaction is that people get mad (or scared, or whatever), and pass all sorts of new freedom-limiting laws (or whatever)... then that's the reaction we must not give. If we do, then we have been manipulated to give these sickos just what they want.
So, we should not pass stricter anti-gun legislation on the small chance that someone who wants stricter anti-gun legislation is the one who let these lions loose in our village?
That's quite a stretch.
Not quite. I am saying:
There is a chance the events were designed to elicit an emotion to pass otherwise unfavourable laws.
I am not saying:
Due to this chance, regardless how small, we must be firm in not passing these laws.
I am saying:
It's worth looking into to see what the intended purpose was. It's worth considering that it's not what it first appears to be. People are clever.
If the intended manipulation is that we get scared:
Let's not do that.
If the intended manipulation is that we withdraw troops:
Let's not do that.
If the intended manipulation is that we change gun laws:
Let's not do that.
If the intended manipulation is that we become suspicious of all Arab/Muslim people:
Let's not do that.
If the intended manipulation is that we [insert anything else here]:
Let's not do that.
We're both parents, Frink. If one of our kids is semi-seriously hurt (bike fall or something) she will cry and we will console and medicate as neccessary. Her reaction (pain, anguish, etc.) is what it appears to be on the surface. If this same child doesn't get the fork that she wants at dinner time, her reaction may be very much the same... except that it's an action designed to manipulate her parents (or others) into getting what she wants, not what she needs. I think you like me understand that to give in to a temper tantrum is to reward and encourage that kind of thing in the future... but to be a doting father when one of our kids is hurt comes very naturally.
About 5% of the time that my younger kids cry it's because they really need me. The rest of the time they are trying to get what they want through manipulative actions, and I, like the great President Harrison Ford, refuse to negotiate with terrorists.