When is violent revolution justified?

Dear Diet Coke Talk: do you think violent extremism in defense of liberty is an acceptable resort? what if it's in opposition to an overwhelmingly powerful tyrannical despot?

Bethany: Well, as cagey and sharp as Darlene and I are, I have to confess that politics is simply not our strong suit.

Darlene: Oh, not at all. Ask me a question about anti-aging supplements, honey, and I am all over it.

Bethany: I know what you mean. My house is filled to the brim with matcha green tea and pomegranate juice and St. John's Wort and placentas, you name it.


Darlene: You don't mean you haven't gotten on the acai berry bandwagon yet?

Bethany: I have not. The what berry now?

Darlene: Oh, I cannot believe this. Acai berry. It's simply the rage now. They found out about these tribes in the Amazon rainforest that live to be a hundred and fifty, and all they eat are acai berries.

Bethany: Oh, you don't say.

Darlene: I do indeed. It turns out they have all kinds of antioxidants and vitamins. They've got scientific studies and everything.

Bethany: Well, you simply have to bring some over next time. But where are my manners. We were trying to answer this poor reader's question.

Darlene: Oh, that's right. But we're no politicians.

Bethany: No, we certainly are not. But it seems to me that the potential gain from deposing the current regime needs to be weighed against the potential harm to society caused by the process of revolution, and in that comparison, the worst case scenario of the former should be weighed against the worst case scenario of the latter.

Darlene: Notwithstanding the relativism through which different outcomes and costs will be judged by different parties in that society, all of which have varying stakes in the ramifications of any decision. Which is just a whole other can of worms, honey.

Bethany: But we're just two plain old housewives. You'd have better luck asking your teacher.

Darlene: Thinking about these kinds of things just makes me dizzy! (sluuuuuuurp)

Bethany: Oh, Darlene, that was my Diet Coke!

Darlene: Oh, I am so sorry. Where is my head today! Do you want mine?

Bethany: No, you go ahead, dear.

Darlene: (sluuuuuuurp)

Bethany: Thanks for reading Diet Coke Talk! We'll see you next time!