Right or Left?

Militant operations based on the ethical and judicial rules of self-defence and necessity can be compared to rescue work. It is rescue work. Such work does not depend on politics. The fire fighters at the twin towers on 9/11 had different views about politics, some were Republicans, others were Democrats. The soldiers in Afghanistan also belong to different political parties. But that does not matter in a rescue operation. What’s important is saving lives.

Politicians discuss everything from crime policies and UN peacekeeping strategies. Politics is often about what system works best. Some believe in an unregulated capitalistic system, others think a social democratic system is the best. But rescue work focuses on individual people in need, not systems. Police and ambulance personnel try to save lives, they don’t care if the person they help is on the left or right in politics.

Militant actions on behalf of the poor are often linked to left-wing radicals, but justifications of violence based on self-defence are more often associated with the Right. So a combination of the two puts one in the middle, on a more neutral ground one might say. Whatever the politicians decide, you and I have a responsibility to assist people who are in life threatening situations.

Would you have been passive if you witnessed a child drowning? No? Then just don’t stand there when you see millions of children in Africa who are tortured to death by starvation or diseases. Use the necessary means to help them.