Oh well.

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My will is good, my butt is in "park" with a do-not-disturb sign firmly affixed thereon. So, reading blogs and news, and writing, is what is left to me.

I just read an interesting piece. A fellow blogger posted a link and quotes from the link. I cannot seem to specifically link to AoS's piece by ArthurK, titled 'Bastiat. The dude knew how to write about liberty and stuff.' so I will do what I can to give credits and whatnot. The author of the piece being quoted is Frederick Bastiat, in a piece titled "The Law", written in 1850. The following is the bit that caught my attention and helped me understand, or remember, part of why the Civil War was so troubling to me.

What are these two issues? They are slavery and tariffs. These are the only two issues where, contrary to the general spirit of the republic of the United States, law has assumed the character of plunder.

What interested me was the notion that both slavery and tariffs were claimed to be evils. And, as it ended, the Confederacy supported slavery and was against tariffs, the Union was against slavery and not only supported tariffs but used these as a means of engaging in a war by which to end slavery. Essentially, there were no winners, no matter who won, if the author is to be believed. While I am against slavery, I do not agree that war was the right path. Slavery, as an institution, always crumbles. It is unsustainable. It ensures whatever society maintains it a choice of being overwhelmed or changing. Tariffs, however, were not only evil in themselves as well, and used as a reason for a unjust war, they were from then on institutionalized.

I have been pondering responses, both here and elsewhere, to my comments, posts, and emails. When I am not outright considered a partisan or Catholic absolutist, fairly or otherwise, I am often viewed as a relic of a time past or even a time only existing in the fog of ideals. Seen as a S.O.B., quite often, even in that light. I do consider this. I wonder if there is truth to it. And then I think about actual just laws of men, and of God. Is a hefty fine for going fifteen miles over the speed limit, a thirty year sentence for a crime, or a rightful death penalty carried out properly, in order, to conclusion S.O.B. acts? Is the wiping off the face of the earth all men save Noah and family, the turning to salt of a man's wife for merely peeking at God's wrath, or the request for a man to sacrifice his son (if he was released from that request), S.O.B. events? Again, am I an S.O.B.? My guess is, yes, I can be. Actually, I attempt to be but I am weak at times and fail almost as often as I succeed.

Being a S.O.B. is not all it is cracked up to be. It is a burden. It is hard. It means making choices. It means learning and trying to understand all about good, forgiveness, justice, and such or being hung by the very rope I might offer. It is a heavy cross. I would guess only Christ knows the true weight of it, for He alone will judge all men. Not collectively, not based on skin color with caveats for this and that group because they be har' pressed and o'pressed. He will judge the quick and the dead. In current worldly terms, Jesus will be the greatest S.O.B. alive. Though when it is done, even the new "oppressed" will know that the judgment is just. So, given that, I suppose I can live with the tag. If too, I think you do me too great of a service to label me so. I am not that good.

Well, maybe I can get something going. Something like dishes. Gah! Later.