Milan, 14 September. (LaPresse) – ‘I didn't even do military service, so imagine if I incite violence.’ This was stated in an interview with La Stampa by mathematician Piergiorgio Odifreddi, 75, after his appearance on L'aria che tira on La 7, which was criticised by Prime Minister Meloni, who said that shooting Martin Luther King and Charlie Kirk are not the same thing. ‘They didn't let me finish my argument on the programme, but I wasn't trying to justify violence. Quite simply,’ explains Odifreddi, "I believe that if someone preaches peace, it is more absurd for them to be killed, while those who spread hatred and incite rearmament are more likely to be exposed to retaliation. This does not mean that I am happy about it, as Meloni said, or that I think it is right. However, people are not all the same, and there is nothing wrong with saying so.‘ For Odifreddi, ’it is never legitimate to shoot anyone, not even those who support extremist views.‘ ’As I said,‘ he remarks, ’I just think that if you preach non-violence, you can expect mild reactions. If, on the other hand, you stir up emotions, you can expect worse results. He who sows the wind reaps the whirlwind, or he who lives by the sword dies by the sword. But there is no justification in my reasoning."
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