>But if there
>is anything that has the
>power of life/death over me,
>it is some higher force
>(then possibly, my parents).

I'm not arguing anything spiritual. Society has the power of life/death over you by nature of brute force. What ever moral or philosophical arguments you have, get pushed aside by badges and guns.

>But scratch all that for a
>second...All other things being equal,
>if you're willing say American
>society has power over your
>life and you're not rich,
>White, heterosexual, and male, you're
>not playing w/ a full
>deck. Sorry.

Maybe you need to explain this, cause I can see where you wanted it to sound forceful, but it doesn't make sense.

In a very real and literal sense, American society has power over us. Not necessarily power to control our minds, but definitely power to shape our thoughts, as well as the real power of the police, law, government et cetera.

>do you mean in a vigilante
>sense or in a legal
>sense (i.e. the death penalty).

In a legal sense.

>to me, there doesn't seem
>to be much of a
>difference, but you may draw
>your lines differently.

Death penalty vs personal retribution?

I'm sure you've heard of husbands killing their wives, or her other lovers over infidelity. The government doesn't execute someone for adultery.

peace
k. orr