It’s not at all the same. Violent self defense is acceptable because it’s an instantaneous decision with few options and no time to consider alternative strategy. It’s not because murdering bad people is totally fun and cool and you should do it any time it seems convenient.

Yes, bad things are happening, and radical actions are justified, if they improve the situation, and if less harmful options are unavailable or ineffective. But we could spend the entire next year debating and discussing how to defeat and destroy the power of the rich, and if we come away with a successful strategy, everything would be fine. It’s not the same as Elon Musk cornering us in a dark alley with a gun. The people collectively have far more power than the ruling class, and that power, in the present time, is most effectively wielded non-violently. We still have plenty of time and power to act, if we organize.

I don’t find this argument that going on a murder-rampage is the best strategy compelling at all. This type of behavior has never produced better living conditions any time in history that I can think of. These violent fantasies have nothing to do with the organization and action that will solve our problems, and instead act as strange fantasies for disturbed people, and to convince people that leftists are all violent weirdos. It’s actually completely counterproductive towards building the movement we need.