I do not condone animal cruelty. But if the destruction of one life can awaken people and stop other acts of cruelty such as wars -- ultimately saving other lives -- then it may be a worthy sacrifice. (Of course, I don't think the movie is nearly as effective as it needs to be, so the point is moot in this particular situation.)
Can the end justify the means? Well, that's not the issue I'm trying to approach here. For example, if you're a psycho and you kill someone for pleasure, and the victim's death somehow ends up saving other lives, you are NOT a hero. You still need to be punished for what you have done, and for why you have done it. "Justification" and "positive (or perhaps 'less negative' to be precise) net effect" are not necessarily the same thing...
...Ugh, first LJ entry in months, and this is what I have to write about!?
