Ed Rasimus wrote:
But there is no "law on the books" that would authorize citizens to
act illegally--that would be anarchy. And, it certainly wouldn't allow
for each citizen independently to make the judgement of what is
"immoral".

Every citizen does make morality judgements, and they don't need a law
to "allow" it. I do agree with you point about legalizing illegality.

With regard to the issue in question, the pacifist nuns were certainly
not acting against an abusive or oppressive government

They clearly were, though they weren't the ones being abused or
oppressed. I find them acting for those without voices to be the main
point in their favor.

, nor were they
acting as representatives of a majority of the population which had
elected their representatives and given them authority for the
execution of the national defense against a serious threat.

Not all action has to be representing others. Certainly not all action
needs to represent a majority of a population. C'mon now Ed, you think
ALL minority positions lack legitimacy? What about historical change in
opinions? They happen constantly; many things now commonly accepted
started out as odd ideas in one person or small group.


Glenn