There is a very strong temptation....

[bj2110]

... for government forces to act outside the law, the excuses being that the processes of law are too cumbersome, that the normal safeguards in the law for the individual are not designed for an insurgency and that a terrorist deserves to be treated as an outlaw anyway. Not only is this morally wrong, but, over a period, it will create more practical difficulties for a government than it solves. A government which does not act in accordance with the law forfeits the right to be called a government and cannot expect its people to obey the law. Functioning in accordance with the law is a very small price to pay in return for the advantage of being the government.

- Sir Robert Grainger Ker Thompson, Defeating the Communist Insurgency: Experiences from Malaya and Vietnam (1966)


Interpret this as you will.


FWIW, I got this out of the commentary of a recent publication of Sun Tzu's Art of War. This passage followed this translation of his text:

"The consummate leader cultivates the moral law, and strictly adheres to method and discipline; thus it is in his power to control success."

Let's discuss.

[babylonsister]

1. I hope there will come a time when people get sick of

what's not working, and right the wrongs. :-(

[bj2110]

2. maybe this censure debate will help....