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The Thomas Jefferson Discussion Group
of Orlando, Florida
Meeting No. 25 - May 13, 2003
Chapters Bookstore, Orlando, Florida
THIS MONTH'S TOPIC:
AMERICA'S WAR ON TERROR
We'll continue our discussion about the current administration's proclamation on support of America's "War on Terror" and its intolerance for a middle ground position.
From last month:
"You must understand, sir, a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it, there be no road between. This is a sharp time, now, a precise time - we live no longer in the dusky afternoon when evil mixed itself with good and befuddled the world. Now, by God's grace, the shining sun is up, and them that fear not light will surely praise it. I hope you will be of those."
The words of George Bush or John Ashcroft? Sounds like it could be. Actually, these are the words of Judge Danforth, a character in Arthur Miller's, The Crucible. Danforth was warning the protagonist to be careful - you're either for God or against God, either for witches or against witches - there's no middle ground.
You're either for terrorism or against terrorism, either fighting with the United States - as an ally against terrorism, or you're an enemy of the United States.
Is this a fair analogy? What would Thomas Jefferson think?
Here is one person's reply:
"Yes, there are some issues for which is there is no middle ground. But those issues may be part of larger, more complex issues that require several perspectives and factors to be considered simultaneously, making reductions to 'for or against' dangerous oversimplications."
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