[MD] Flying Spagetti Monsters

[ARLO J BENSINGER JR]

Oh dear. So many distortions and evasions, I'm not sure if its even possible to
bring this back to what it was about. Perhaps that was the intent? 

[Arlo previously]
So, since nothing America ever does is immoral, blind obedience to the state
always leads to moral action. That's what you're saying, no?

[Platt]
No.

[Arlo]
Then there ARE times when its conceivable that an American soldier would be
ordered to do something immoral (in his/her judgement)? If that were you, would
you do it? (Arlo asks into the wind).

[Platt]
In other words, WE should be blindly obedient to our state, because our state is
perfectly moral and pure, but OTHERS should NOT be blindly obedient to their
state, because their state is NOT America, and hence is imperfect and capable
of immoral activity. Good summary?

[Platt]
No. There is a moral difference between states that you apparently either do not
see or cannot admit.

[Arlo]
Your reply is contradictory. You say, "no", but your explanation says "yes". To
rephrase, because *America* is by definition "moral", blind obedience of OUR
soldiers is never problematic. Correct?


[Arlo previously]
I'm sorry, you can think what you will, but I believe that such uncritical
deference to the state leads invariably to evil. And if you think America is
somehow "above" that, you're sadly mistaken. I prefer soldiers who say "no,
that is immoral" than those who just do whatever is ordered of them, telling
themselves that because the order came from THEIR state, it can't possibly be
immoral.

[Platt]
You are sadly mistaken to think America is not morally superior to many other
states.

[Arlo]
Which says nothing at all to what I said. Blind obedience, even to America, will
lead invariably to evil. Whether or not America is "morally superior" to "many
other states" has nothing to do with this at all.