ESE!Fudge

[huntergreen_3]

No: HPFGUIDX 113734

Carol wrote:
> My point is simply that we're abusing the word "evil," which should
> stand for conduct and character so morally reprehensible, so wicked
> and cruel that no redemption is possible. Tom Riddle reached that
> mark when he murdered his father and grandparents if not before.
> But surely we shouldn't use the same term for Fudge as for
> Voldemort. If "evil" applies to any behavior we don't approve of,
> from Percy's quarrell with his family to Draco hexing Harry when
> Harry's back is turned, then the word "evil" has lost its
> force. [snip]

SSSusan replied:
>>Now, your overall point in saying, "Let's watch how we use this
word" I think is valid. I'm just saying that, even with that
reminder, I'm still thinking Fudge may turn out to be evil.<<

HunterGreen:
Yes indeed, but I see Carol's point. Too often an evil or 
questionable act causes the person to be bumped up to 'evil', which 
would be, as Carol says, abusing the word. I think that someone can 
do evil acts without definitely becoming 'evil' themselves. Recently 
both Snape and James have been argued this way. Yes, James did rather 
reprehensible things to Snape, but does that make him evil? Snape may 
be mildly sadistic, (although I don't really agree with this 
pronouncement), but does that make him evil either? I'm not evil sure 
I agree with Barty Jr. being evil, there doesn't seem to be enough of 
a personality there to be completely aware of right and wrong and of 
the choices he's making. He's certainly different than Malfoy, who 
freely and happily gave the diary to Ginny, or Bella who bragged 
about crucioing Neville's parents to death. Yes, 'evil' should be 
reserved for those cases (personally, though, I view ESE! as slightly 
different...more of a conspiracy label than a personality one).

Concerning Fudge though, unless he did do some of the questionable 
things that SSSusan suggested upthread (and I snipped), I would say 
he's borderline. I think that wanting power and longevity as a leader 
more than you want to protect your society, is rather horrible. Not 
quite *evil*, I suppose, but quite close.