I hate to bring up the murky concept of situational ethics, but it does have an important slant.
I'm going to drive to the gym here in about 15 minutes. The roads are snow covered and slippery here in my area, and I'm going to drive way under the speed limit and get under a controlled braking position long before each intersection.
At zero-dark-thirty in the middle of summer on my bike against a red light...
I look at myself as a good Christian person, albeit flawed. I'm trying. I don't want to hurt anyone. In fact, I have some very serious concerns if I could ever pull a trigger.
However, surprise me in a dark parking lot mugging and I can guaran-damn-tee that you will have a blistering sharp Emerson chisel grind knife jammed deep into your groin.
All of these elements might seem at odds. The point I am making is that during different stimuli I probably will act differently. And at all points I am the same biker that tosses money into a church collection plate but won't even spit on a slacker who lolligags on a street corner every day.
So, what if I'm scared? What if I'm tired? Even when I am cold I react in a myriad of different ways. I'll bet that you do, as well.
The concept of being a reasonable man in a polite suburban community who sees all of the positive attributes of fair laws and policing can change in my eyes within a heartbeat.
I cannot forsee my participation in a lynch-mob. What if the guy tried to rape my wife?
Now, the bigger picture. I love America. Despite the pandering, I believe that there are many Democrats and GOPs who love also love America and our enumerated freedoms. They have my support.
Would I take up arms if my country adopted policies tantamount to becoming The Vichy?
To me, that's the debate.