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Message: <blockquote data-quote="jgbrowning" data-source="post: 1564635" data-attributes="member: 5724">As a counterpoint.....I think we all agree that there is a typical manner of dealing with such happenings. Be that calling for the guard or whatever, there was some set of socially determined methods for dealing with this man. What, in detail those are, we don't know as of yet.The question I'm looking at is this: Why didn't the Paladin use those methods to deal with this issue? Not using that method is not respecting legitimate authority, unless the paladin has already been given that authority by whoever give authority.It is assumed that the paladin acted against the local authority buy using lethal force when he doesn't have that right because he was concerned with the safty of the child. This isn't true. The man wasn't threatening the life of the girl. As vile as what he was going to do, it isn't the same as if he held her with a knife to her throat. The Paladin had a multitude of non-lethal ways of protecting the innocent, but he deliberately chose to disrespect the legitimate authority by using lethal force immediatly. He doesn't have that right. Even if the man had a knife to the girls throat.If there was a knife, the paladin's disrespect of the local authority's power would be quickly understood. Sometimes one must act quickly, without authority, inorder to further the goals of that very authority one acts against.This is plainly not the case. The Paladin didn't even announce his presence before killing the man. The Paladin did in no form the "good and right" thing.There was no pressing need to act immediately. The cretin obviously was not intending to kill the child. No matter the vileness of his actions, the man wasn't threatening life and limb. The Paladin acted dishonorably by disregarding the expected annoucnment along the lines of "Stop right there you beast!" and jumped right into sword swinging. Why?Because he wanted to kill the man and he didn't want to wait for the "law" to do it.Agree. He helped those in need.As long has he punishes within his given right to punish, yes. I don't think the paladin in this instance has a carte blanc right to kill those who are evil or who have commited evil acts.To me the Paladin ignored authority, behaved cowardly by not announcing himself in a situation that didn't justify immediate action, and fell pray to the spirit of vengence by not being willing to allow the legal authorities to deal with the matter.joe b.</blockquote>

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