The Folly of Extremism

Extremism is stupid. Extremism only spawns it own counterpart. Oppressive political systems often use extremist groups – left-wing guerrilla forces or Nazi skinheads for instance - as an excuse to put ordinary citizens under surveillance. George W. Bush needed Osama bin Laden, and the other way around.

The problem with extremists is that they don’t know when to stop. Extremists put the work of Martin Luther in danger when he opposed the Catholic Church, and IRA extremists killed Michael Collins who helped establish the independent Irish Republic.

Extremists are blind people. But they often have courage and passion. Moderates are more clearheaded, but they are usually afraid of acting forcefully, some are outright cowards. Millions of starving children now need moderate men of action. Only they can stop the silent holocaust going on in the third world. Do you have the courage to help them?