Forum.RttP{I got a friend request from my girlfriend}

To those crying, "Arrest the criminals! Round them up and shoot them!" I reply: your heart is simply in the wrong place.

I don't think the Anonymous kids will save the world. They might be as childish and foolhardy as you say, and their doings lack the nobility of civil disobedience or the bravery of open rebellion. Their uncivil actions may overshadow their purpose, like a helpful child's inexpert clumsiness. But by those actions, small and uncareful as they have been, they are nonetheless lifted into the company of those who've resisted power since power has been abused. Behind their rude methods lies a spirit of dissent. Their hearts are in the right place.

You should learn the difference between civility and decency (skip to the Sidney Blumenthal quote). Save your contempt for the indecent. Save your anger for those in power who prize civility because it disguises the hideously immoral acts of their regime, and embrace a little messiness in the service of fighting them. At least your sympathy, by default, should fall with the dissenters, even if you decide not to endorse everything they do.

Your venomous reaction towards Anonymous, on the contrary, betrays an authoritarian instinct which I can only look on with disgust. You see Anonymous' stumbling, vain protest—the pipsqueak yelling profanity and raising his tiny hands in rude gestures before the great iron monolith of the establishment—and respond with contemptuous laughter. You would see the powerful crush him because you're revolted by his foolish audacity and uncouth antics. You say he's only playing at resistance; who does the self-important blusterer think he is? You account yourself wise by comparison, and positively revel in vicarious power as you call for your masters to destroy him. You should be ashamed.

Anonymous is foolish, but you—you are on the wrong side.

For my part, I'd rather be foolish