[WikiEN-l] Tearing down the Chinese Firewall

[Ray Saintonge]

Prasad J wrote:

>PS-I suggest Sean that you rent a DVD of the Richard Attenborough
>movie "Gandhi". You will find that very often a soft-spoken, elderly
>"half-naked fakir" has more courage and willpower than the most
>decorated military commander. You will also learn that though the
>Indian freedom-fighters may not have retaliated even in the face of
>brutal British suppression, the fact that they stood by their beliefs
>inspite of the sheer physical and mental agony they were put through
>demonstrates how far they were willing to go to bring about the
>downfall of an oppressive Empire, a display of valour equal to and
>perhaps (in some cases) more than that shown by the American troops
>when the latter nation was fighting for it's independence.
>
Your inconsistencies are showing.  While Gandhi quite rightly supported 
non-violence, he also was willing to resist with illegal acts.  He often 
engaged in peaceful but illegal marches.  It was also illegal for him to 
encourage Indians to produce their own salt without paying the required 
British taxes.  In a previous message you referred to the section of the 
Indian Penal Code which criminalized homosexual behaviour.  Certainly 
two loving people who set out to violate that unjust law are well within 
the nonviolent principles that were preached by Gandhi.

Ec