jlf_superman | (no subject)

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father's day

(no subject)

Happy Father's Day, everyone!

Lois and I are going to Smallville to see my Ma and pay our respects at Pa's grave. Then we are taking her father out to dinner and afterwards flying to the Fortress to pay our respects to Jor-El.

I hope you all have a wonderful day with your fathers!

(Apparently Clark isn't thinking about how difficult father's day must be for 99% of superheroes)

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Jason, I don't think you understand that what you're doing is dangerous. Especially to yourself.

Way to dodge the actual issue here. That's just... really constructive.

I am very, very aware that what I do is dangerous. Even given the general lifestyle of the peope we spend a lot of time with, what I do is risky. I am aware of this, and screw you very much for assuming I'm in it for kicks, or whatever you're thinking. I know when I first came back I was... well, yeah, let's go with "completely bugfuck nuts." Lazarus Pits do that to you. That's my explanation, not my excuse; I know I did some terrible shit when I was getting started, and yeah, I crossed a lot of lines all at once.

I am not the guy I was two years ago. Hell, I'm not even the guy I was six months ago.

I'm going to keep doing what I do until I am presented with a better option - one that I can see is better, not one that you hand me and tell me works just fine, because no, Clark, it doesn't. What I do isn't going around and murdering random people for shits and giggles. It's figuring out who needs to be taken out to make the streets a little safer, weighing the pros and cons, and going for it if I think it's the right choice. It's not a game, and it's not easy for me. The second it becomes either of those things is the second I check myself out of the game, because that's my line. I won't become one of them. And if you think I'm honestly in danger of that, well, you're not paying enough attention.

I am not dodging the issue, Jason. I am not accusing you of being crazy or sadistic or anything like that, either. I am wondering what the hell gave you the idea you have the right to decide who gets to live and who dies. You do not get to play judge, jury, and executioner. None of us do.
Killing criminals is the quickest and easiest way to deal with them, I know. I know because I've done it before myself, and I live with that mistake every day. If you mean it when you say you're open to using a better way, why don't you make the one? If you want a better Arkham and a better penal system, then lose the guns and the mask and become an advocate for it. It will be slow and hard, but it's the right thing to do. As a citizen you have the right to speak out and fight for change. But as a vigilante superhero you don't have the right to impose your will on anyone.
Besides, I think re-entering normal life would be good for you. It's important to know what you're fighting to protect. Lois and I will be willing to help you in any way we can.

I have a normal life. I live in the area I'm protecting, and most of my neighbors know who I am. You literally can't know what you're fighting better to protect more than I do. I am in Crime Alley more than I'm out of it, and I know the people and what they consider important. I had a little kid thank me the other day, you know that? Because "Batman don't care about Crime Alley, but we know the Hood does."

And if being an advocate was such a great path to take, then why hasn't it worked for Bruce or any of the people he's put on the job? People are going to pay attention to the Wayne-sponsored name more'n a dead nobody from the Alley. I've got no shot at that, and who'd take care of my neighborhood in the meantime?

None of that gives you the right to decide who gets to live and who dies, even if the people you kill are criminals. We stop threats and fight criminals to protect people, but we leave it up to them to decide what to do with the criminals afterward. To do otherwise would be imposing our will on them, and that is not what we're here for.

I know you're not crazy and I know you care deeply for the people in your neighborhood, but this is not the best way to do it. I know it seems that way, like it's the quickest and most efficient way to handle crime, but it's a slippery slope you're on. I'm not being self-righteous on this matter, either. I'm speaking from experience.

And even if you have a normal life, you're still living in Crime Alley, where you work. A change of scenery might bring you better perspective. I know I don't like leaving Metropolis, but we need to accept that we can't protect our homes all the time, and if we tried we'd go insane.

I have to go now, but I hope you'll consider things from my point of view. I already considered yours.

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