"Sometimes you have to do bad things for a good reason"

I read that quote on the myspace page of a friend of mine. Knowing some of the circumstances in his life these days, I can kind of guess the context of the statement. However, I completely disagree with the sentiment. You know those age-old questions: does the end justify the means? What's more important: the affect or the effect? Is it really the road to hell or the road to Heaven that's paved with good intentions?

I just think it's all a big excuse...deep down, we use this argument to cover over our guilt, our shame, our regret for behaving badly...in order to make someone feel better, in order to save someone from hurt, in order to right a wrong. But me? I honestly believe that there's always a BETTER way. If I've done a bad thing for a good reason, at the end of the day, I've still done a bad thing. And I need to seek counsel and strategize as to how I could have done it better.

Yes, I am "black and white"; I am a "Pollyanna"; I am a "do gooder". I do believe there is a clear difference between right and wrong. I believe in that which is fair...justice...that which is right and good. I don't always find it, I don't always practice it...but I believe in it...both to my credit and to my detriment.

I believe that President Bush had what he believed to be "right" intentions when he bombed Iraq. Bad things for good reason?  I don't agree.  Wrong is wrong is wrong.  Right is right is right. 

I don't know...maybe I'm oversimplifying...I do that sometimes...