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A Philosophy to Kill For

After a brief rant of economic jabberwocky, i.e. the "pernicious" Keynesian economic policies of the left versus the (enlightened?) laissez-faire capitalism of the right, Joseph M. Kearney talks about what's really dear to his heart - killing people who would stand in the way of his world view (July 11 letter).

Kearney proclaims the following utter nonsense: "The world isn't often changed by people who'd die for their beliefs ..." How about Jesus of Nazareth, Nathan Hale, Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Mahatma Gandhi, Socrates, Thomas More, that lone Chinese man blocking the row of tanks in Tiananmen Square in 1989, Nelson Mandela, Audie Murphy, Sgt. Alvin York, and just about every hero in every just war in our history?

How about doctors and scientists who often risk their lives to save the world and change the world? They didn't change much? What world do you live in, Kearney? What kind of political blinders do you wear?

Now to the second part of Kearney's philosophy: The world is "changed by people willing to kill for" their beliefs. Note: He doesn't say kill in self-defense. It sounds crazy to hear someone put such a high priority on killing.

I guess if one considers the Supreme Court's recent ruling on the constitutional right of individuals to have guns, together with the disastrous depressions that result from laissez-fair capitalism, there could be a whole lot of killing if radical conservatives like Mr. Kearney have their way. But I'm not too worried about the success of radical conservatism in America's future. It has had its day and has "trickled down" to nothing.

MICHAEL J. GORMAN

Editor's note: The writer is a retired NYPD Lieutenant and an attorney.