Many crusades of the political left have been misunderstood by people who do not understand that these crusades are about establishing the identity and the superiority of the crusaders.Truer words have rarely been spoken.
Back during the 1930s, in the years leading up to World War II, one of the fashionable self-indulgences of the left in Britain was to argue that the British should disarm "as an example to others" in order to serve the interests of peace.One needn't go back to the 1930s to find this. One can look to the "nuclear freeze" movement of the 1980s. Or the violent pacifists of today.
Funny. For years, I was somewhat mystified over the actions and behavior of the left. I thought to myself, even a child can see this specific course of action is wrong. I came to realize they care nothing for the country - past, present, or future. It is just about them!
You might have something there. Maybe that's why today's pacifists are so violent -- verbally, physically, and in attitude.
They don't go bonkers b/c we are for (fill in the blank), but b/c they perceive our opposition to (fill in the blank) as an attack, first and foremost, against them. And that, in turn, spurs a kind of aristrocrtatic/"the anointed" outrage calvery-to-infantry sort of thing. And also, maybe, just maybe, in their heart of hearts, opposition may stir the fitfully slumbering genie of doubt.