So my brain is unplugged

[tea_and_ink]

Again. I sense a pattern here, and its starting to worry me. Huh. ::shrugs::

I was supposed to be all inspired and shit this morning. We had a debate in Ethics class about Human Rights and the extent of Law when it comes into contact with said rights (Argentine is a country that abides by Human Rights, so often times, the confrontational situation arises, Law vs HR) it was interesting. I am pro Human Rights and thus sat on my designated side of the class. Things were shiny until Death Penalty was brought up... What do you have to say to that Paola? (this guy knows I'm American and he has a thing against people like me, also I think he's a bit misogynist, so yeah, I knew that he'd do that to me) I, being the smart cookie that I am, quoted Jefferson... the kid had to think real hard to come up with who Jefferson was. I know it was mean, but it both illustrated my opinion on the subject and shut him up in a polite and elegant way.

"Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add ‘within the limits of the law’ because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual." –Thomas Jefferson.

Btw, I did memorize this when growing up, because I entirely agree with this principle.
And as far as the Death Penalty is referred, I disagree with it in a humanitarian level, but as a member of society, I see its uses and reasons to be. I do not support it, I simply understand why is it used in some cases.
I worked some more elaborated version of this words when answering to the question, said version included more Law and Justice blabbering too.

I feel this evil glee now. Its wrong I know, but the guy did it intentionally to let me down in front of the entire class (I know I sound childish and possibly spoiled, but still) I so did the right thing. Okay, so I may have lowered myself to his level, I could have been the bigger person and let him have his glory for like, five minutes... but I'm not that big. And oddly enough, I'm not sorry. So far.
And its incredible how Ethics is so very present in this matter.

After that debate, I was unable to stay focus for more than three minutes at the time. Not to mention that all the comments and jokes coming out of my mouth keep having this childish hue... I'm thinking that maybe I didn't unplug my brain, maybe I broke it.

Still not sorry though.

Comments

[1grl-revolution.livejournal.com]

I applaud you for being able to put him in his place with such an eloquent quote. Good for you! (Don't feel bad- he obviously deserved it. )

[penandnotebook]

::iz proud::

My question is, was it ethical to respond that way? and I keep answering that he wasn't being exactly a role model there...

[dazedizzy.livejournal.com]

Oh, I love you! Hahahahhahaha!

I find myself always toeing the lines between ethics and law. Some people actually think they're synonymous (idiotic or just innocent).

Anyway, I don't support the Death Penalty because I enjoy the idea of threatening criminals with the idea of death, but I fully recognize its power as a tool to enforce laws that protect other peoples' rights to freedom (to live).

And, hey, sometimes, i get really heated in debates, too. One time, my Professor had to calm me down when we had a debate about the Asian Financial Crisis. It happens.

It's the childish glee.

[penandnotebook]

I know you do! Hehe.
Exactly! Plus there's the morality issue, which I think is not the same as ethics. Between those three concepts, I've come to the conclusion that civilization is brain-damaging...

I said something along those lines too, its a tool that works in most cases, does it suck that we have to resort to that? It does, royally. But its a form of collateral damage that keeps certain forms of society functioning. Here we've had situations where the Death Penalty has been requested, its always been denied because of the violation of the HR that granting it would represent, and it bothers me that they seem so self-righteous about it when the only thing stopping them from implementing it are the HR, instead of a personal (or communal) moral conviction... Wow, I've rambled!

I woulda paid to see that! Hehehehe.

P.S.: I love that you used an Alec icon. It makes sense in a way.