tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31210316.post116105686448213045..comments2023-08-02T05:02:41.706-05:00Comments on Reasons and Opinions: Kim Jong Il and J.R.R. Tolkienshadhuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03933715508568783990noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31210316.post-1161098191315319562006-10-17T10:16:00.000-05:002006-10-17T10:16:00.000-05:00Not that I really disagree with what MM puts forth...Not that I really disagree with what MM puts forth, but nonetheless, I'm a bit disturbed by a sense of naivity and black-and-whitishism. So only God can create from scratch. Fair enough, why not. But in that case, we do need to accept that God has not created pure good, but has given all living beings a choice of being good or evil. Hitler was chosen by his people, if only by remaining silent and not resisting (bar the few brave souls). And the same can be said for Mr. Kim.<BR/><BR/>Now to bridge this with some other postings on this site, this can be taken as another reason for awarding the Nobel Peace Price to Professor Yunus and his bank. It's nice for us sitting in airconditioned offices to muse about choices between good and evil. It's a different kettle of fish (or probably only fishbones) if you're only concern is feeding your family this evening. You can argue that there is little choice or at least little time to ponder about those grand choices. And it is in such circumstances that totalitarism can rise (unless you have religious opium, which of course is just another version of the same). Nazi Germany and North Koreal are no exception here. People concerned about daily survival do not have the luxury to question their leaders who make great (if empty) promises of improving livelihoods. <BR/><BR/>Yes, in the words of Tucholsky, "Every people has the government it deserves." Or to quote another weird thinker, Thoreau, "The only just place in an unjust country is the prison." But you'd be so lucky to have that choice. Professor Yunus has helped people get closer to that luxury.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com