pacifist, ghandi? not hardly.

i found this in an old column by col. jeff cooper, retired u.s. marine, and a favorite of mine for many years. 

i find so much in the below quote that is true, & extremely timely, and so genuinely contrary to the view of the man who said it, that i am compelled to pass it along.
 
"i do believe that where there is a choice only between cowardice  and violence i would advise violence."

mohandas gandhi
 
it must be remembered that gandhi was not a pacifist by any means or stretch of the imagination: pacifism was a weapon, as any other, and its use dictated by tactical considerations.  he believed, moreover, that passive resistance against the british empire was the best tactic available to win a political contest w/ the brits, and knew that india could not win a military conflict with the empire.  so, he stopped wearing western suits, gave up his law practice (oh, yes, he was a very good lawyer, educated at english university and law school, and had a  thriving law career, as well as a beginning political career, in south africa of all places before he went home), and started wearing loin clothes and going semi naked in public.  it was a political point that he made by doing so, to the english, and, to the indians.  as an added benefits, he did not have to wear ties to work from that point forward, ... , or, work, for that matter.

but, there it is.

when it is cowardice not to fight, it is time to fight.  morally, there is no other choice.

from the pen of gandhi, via jeff cooper.

http://www.molonlabe.net/Commentaries/jeff2_14.html

jeff cooper's commentaries, formerly gunsite gossip, thanksgiving 1994

vol. 2, no. 14  --  10 november 1994

john jay

Comments

[Frank Ch. Eigler]

Really? Ghandi said that? The same guy who advised the jews in germany/poland to roll over and get killed?

[jj]

frank:

according to jeff cooper he did.

i do not know about the statements with regard to german and polish jews simply surrendering their lives.

but i have read various accounts of his adherence to passive resistance, and from what i can gather it is fair to say that at least in part, and substantial part, is was a much a matter of tactical judgment as philosophical and/or religious conviction. he was a politician, set on driving out the british, the most efficient way he could.

john jay

[jj]

p.s. jeff cooper was not the sort to fabricate.

he was a col. in marine corps, a combat veteran. he was, moreover, a fairly heavy duty thinker, and a very fine writer, and he did not cut corners.

he was not a prevarictor.

simply put.