Where lynching is the order of the day (Vigilantism is BAD).

BBC ^ | Thursday, September 13, 2007. | Amarnath Tewary

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

Appreciated, for the information.

[papertyger]

Justice is something for the government to mete out, not an angry mob.

It has always been understood government is a social contract. The individual cedes a measure of his natural law right to self defense to the government in return for impartial enforcement of natural law. The extent to which goverment refuses to enforce natural law is the extent to which said government has deviated from legitimacy.

When governments renege on their obligation to the terms of the social contract, the right to self defense devolves back to the individual.

[papertyger]

Rarely did things go past steps one or two. It was efficient and effective and I never, ever, saw it abused.

Unfortunately, the vast majority of Americans living today are victims of a false view of reality composed of television cliches'.

[TigersEye]

When governments renege on their obligation to the terms of the social contract, the right to self defense devolves back to the individual.

Indeed.

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

“Hollywood style” vigilantism still exists—as evidenced by the article, even if rational vigilantism does, too.

[papertyger]

Did I miss something about innocent victims being lynched?

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

Were the suspects actually the criminals who carried out their supposed crimes?

Were the punishments given out of a sense of law and justice, or out of whipped up fury and revenge?

[papertyger]

What is the evidence in the article you are pointing to for “hollywood style” vigilantism?

[-=SoylentSquirrel=-]

"...Minuteman movement.....

I hear ya, FRiend. I had one of those this morning, after my 3rd cup of coffee....

[Gengis Khan]

“It’s good to live in the United States, where if you’re accused you at least have a chance at a fair trial.”

.....and also a fair chance to get away with high profile murder if you are a big shot like O J Simpson.

Having a trial is not the same as delivering justing.

[BillyAqua]

"The lynchings you speak of had nothing to do with what is commonly understood to be vigilante activity."

It was none-the-less vigilante activity, and I made the point only because somebody claimed that each and every example of vigilantism in history was, 'without exception', directly related to either a corrupt or inadequate government. Though he was essentially correct, my point is that it's never wise to make such a sweeping statement without considering all the angles first. There are always exceptions. Another example of vigilantism within a very adequate and just government was the union thugs in the early 20th century taking to the streets with clubs, hammers and crobars, bringing their own form of "justice" to folks whom they declared to be their enemies.