On the other hand (was Re: Disliked Uncle Vernon)

[Doriane]

No: HPFGUIDX 93223


> Annemehr:
> 
> Similarly, in the case of the Dursleys, the first thing to do is 
> put a stop to their abuse of Harry.

Del :
Why wait 15 years then ?

Annemehr :
> After that, you can try to change the underlying cause of the 
> abuse, which is in the hearts and minds of the Dursleys 
> themselves.  You may be successful, or they may flat-out
> refuse to change, but at least the abuse will have stopped.

Del :
The abuse could have stopped years ago, and it would have been much 
easier for the Dursleys to come to love a little boy than a teenager.

Annemehr : 
> At the end of OoP, Harry's friends took steps to stop the abuse.  
> I'll admit it doesn't look likely anyone's going to have a heart-
> to-heart with the Dursleys anytime soon, but perhaps they figure 
> the Dursleys should know better.

Del :
Maybe they should, but obviously they don't, and they won't if 
nobody helps them.

> Annemehr:
> Obviously, that's not what the Dursleys thought was the way to 
> raise a child, because that's not how they raised Dudley.

Del :
Dudley is their child, Harry is not. Big difference.

> Annemehr:
> Dumbledore has nothing to do with what the Dursleys did to Harry 
> *once he was in their care.*

Del :
Yes he does. That's called "follow-up". That's what he didn't do. He 
apparently just dumped Harry at the Dursleys', and forgot about him 
for 10 years. He could have put a stop to the abuse very early, but 
he didn't.

> Annemehr:
> Yes, there are just wars (IMO!), and you've just given the example 
> of one: a nation defending itself from attack.  I would add the 
> equally just examples of a strong nation defending a weak one from 
> an ongoing invasion, and one nation defending another from its 
> tyrannical ruler who is killing and torturing hundreds of 
> thousands within his own borders.

Del :
It mostly depends on whether or not that nation *asked* for help. 
Otherwise, you're overstepping your privileges and trying to 
forcefully mold the world according to your idea. It's not right, 
and very dangerous.

> Annemehr:
> 
> God's idea of what is good is really good in itself and has 
> nothing to do with the fact that he has power.

Del :
That's not what I meant. I was asking whether we would accept *now* 
His knowledge of what is Good and Evil, if we didn't know that He 
has the power to make us accept it *someday* anyway. My guess is No.

Del