'Stubborn Things,' and the Chauvin Trial

American Thinker.com ^ | April 19, 2021 | William Sullivan

[Kaslin]

Consider two contrasting quotes on how reason and passion relate to truth in a society.

The first is (or once was, anyway) quite famous amongst Americans, spoken by Founder John Adams during his defense of the British soldiers accused of murder in the Boston Massacre of 1770:

Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.

The second is from a figure of whom few alive could claim ignorance. As Jonah Goldberg relates in his book, Liberal Fascism:

[Adolf] Hitler mocked those who believed that arguments and reason should trump the naked power of the people. When four renowned economists sent Hitler a letter disputing his socialist schemes, Hitler responded, “Where are your storm troopers? Go on the street, go into folk meetings, and try to see your standpoint through. Then we’ll see who’s right -- we or you.” [Emphasis added]

Here are represented two arguments -- one for, and one against, the practical and moral supremacy of a society where truth and justice is informed by reason and evidence rather than the passions of a mob.

[allendale]

At the depth of every human soul, there is the belief or at least the fervent hope that ultimately truth and justice will win out. Sadly most are long dead before that truth and justice comes to pass.

[PLMerite]

“How many divisions has the Pope?”

[billyboy15]

Hitler proven wrong but only after so many suffered for his ignorance. The people attempting to destroy us from within will also fail along with their unworkable policies.

The question is how long will it take and how many must suffer before.