Cut throat politics.

This week in class was pretty intense. We had this guy wanting to kill that guy, and this guy going after that guys money, and it was really confusing because their names were Italian...and my head hurts just thinking about all of this. The one thing that I really got from this week though, is the rise of political thought and secular art. Let me start first with art.

The Medici's willingness to help out young artists was really inspiring, but part of me wonders if it was driven by the power of having such a rare talent in their hands or if they really cared about the art. Which ever it is, the Medici's were marvelous patrons of art and their financial investments made way for some pretty impressive artists (Michelangelo!). On the other hand though the Medici's were kind of drama magnets. Someone was always trying to kill them, or they were always trying to kill someone. If they were around today they would've been part of the mafia, for sure!

My favorite lesson of the semester happened today when we discussed Machiavelli's "The Prince". So far I get the feel that this book is the doctrine to modern day politics. We talked about some really important issues that I'd like to shed my own opinion on, that's what blogs are for, right? While in theory it seems that Machiavelli's ideas about ends justifying the means seem rutheless, in reality, it is necessary at times. I might be sticking my neck out here a bit, but without coercion and sometimes violence, things would not get done. I agreed with Dr. Tucker saying that we are hypocritical in saying that we stand for God given rights whilst torturing internation criminals, I must say that without those practices there would be alot of important intel that would not be acquired. I do feel it is barbaric to torture a human being, but we must keep in mind these are not innocent civilians that we plucked off the streets of Baghdad; they have committed some sort of grevious offense to be in the difficult position they are in. Freedom isn't free and while it turns my stomache a bit, I have to admit that Machiavelli was right about that.

On the issue of guns, here is my opinion. Guns are an important tool for protection and should be encouraged in the average American house hold, but I have to say that not everyone should be able to own a firearm. My brother is a convicted felon, and although it is really painful for him to never be able to hunt again or even just have one for protection, there is a balance in our judicial system that must be kept. He is well aware of why he no longer has the right to own one. The right to protect oneself is a right, the right to own a gun is a privelage. It seems confusing, but they are not always the same thing. However, I agree with Switzerland's approach that if a person is worthy of owning a gun (meaning no former felons) then they should be trained to know how to do so properly. This would allow them to protect their home and their life. Bearing arms is a very powerful part of the American constitution, and it is one that should be upheld.