Keeping Things Civil

[Martrae]

The following is the afterword in the new Orson Scott Card book Empire. He really makes some good points. It's long so I'm just linking it.

http://www.ornery.org/empire_afterword.html

[Lueyen]

Interesting article Mart. I don't think we are as close as the author states, but the seeds are certainly there. The author does pretty much dismiss ethnicity as being a catalyst and I feel he's wrong there. While there are greater numbers for one political spectrum or the other in certain areas geographically there is not the separation where clear boundaries and fronts would be drawn. What you do have a whole lot of however is geographical separation by ethnicity, and I find it far more likely that we would see boundaries and conflicts breaking out on a large scale between neighborhoods. Identifying ones "adversaries" without a clear regional separation or apparent physical trait makes it very difficult to wage militant violent action. Political ideology has neither a clear geographical separation nor an absolute outward appearance. Understand I'm not saying we have a looming "race war" on the horizon, but I find it far more likely then a ideological war.

[Eziekial]

Lueyen,
Haven't you ever seen "Colors"?

I think an internal war is not as far away as people think.

[Lueyen]

I don't believe I've seen it Eziekial, I looked it up - late 80's movie about two police officers in the center of a gang war? Hehe spoil the plot for me if you like, as the description didn't point to something as drastic as a civil war outbreak being the end result of the movie.

[Evermore]

I don't believe I've seen it Eziekial, I looked it up - late 80's movie about two police officers in the center of a gang war? Hehe spoil the plot for me if you like, as the description didn't point to something as drastic as a civil war outbreak being the end result of the movie.

its a good movie even thou sean penn is in it. you should watch it

[Lueyen]

I have to run to the video store this evening anyway, I'll look for it.

[Eziekial]

Damn, I thought I picked a movie everyone has seen. Anyway my reasoning that brought to mind that movie is you don't need physical traits or ethnicity to have people on different ends of a gun. In fact, our own civil war was started on political ideology (states rights vs federal rights not slavery which many people falsely believe) so I fail to see how you "need" some geo or ethnic boundary. I am sure it will be drawn real quick once the first shot is fired and you will have masses headed for "their" sides.

PS. Watch the movie, it's really good.