Dark Magic and Retribution

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 176927

---  "Mike" <mcrudele78 at ...> wrote:

> 
> > lizzyben:
> > Big fat bullies is what they are. Two against one
> > is disgraceful. So is five against three (GOF stomp)
> > or SEVEN against three (OOTP stomp). Draco is 
> > consistently out-numbered & out-powered in these 
> > little encounters, which means he ends up hexed, 
> > slugged, bloody, unconscious and the good guys just
> > end up w/a sense of satisfaction at some well 
> > deserved payback.
> 
> Mike:
> Ya know, if Draco is going to insist on acting the 
> ass, you'd think he'd learn to bring more backup with
> him. He continually taunts others until he finds the 
> right buttons to push. Then he's surprised that people
> react to getting their buttons pushed. Not too bright
> for a bully, is he?
> 

bboyminn:

I'm going to have to side with Mike. Lizzyben seems to
be trying to view everything as morally neutral, but
once again I emphasize that context is everything.

These events don't happen in a vacuum. Draco is a 
constant provocateur. He is the instigator and the
antagonist. Draco is going to push and shove and goad
and annoy and irritate until he forces a response.
And like all bullies, he's the one whose going to
whine the loudest when he loses.

THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE. Draco is not some innocent 
waif here. Draco is the one provoking every situation.
And like all bullies, he can only win when he is 
bullying the weak and the helpless (like Neville). 
But like all bullies, when he is face with people
who are not going to take his crap, he simply can't
hold his own. 

I simply can't place any blame on Harry and the gang
for not taking any of Draco's bullying and thuggish
behavior. 

It is crystal clear in the books who is causing the
problem, and who is responding to it. The
only reason bullies still exist on the playground,
in the office, and on the world stage is because
we allow them to exist. Because we collectively
tolerate their existance. As soon as they are opposed
with absolute resolve, only then can they be defeated.

I have very little sympathy for Draco since Draco 
causes all his own problems. He makes an endless series
of bad choice that provoke bad outcomes. If he wants 
better outcomes, then, like everyone in every life, he
has to learn to make better choices.

If you can't see why the bad guys are the bad guys,
and why the good guy, with all their flaws, are indeed
the good guys, then...then I can't think of anything 
polite to say in response to that. I can think of lots
of things to say, but none of them are polite.

Steve/bboyminn