I think that's a stretch - it would be like saying war is really a good thing because of the (possibly good) ending side effects.
If I may recall the relevant operetta on HN:
CANDIDE:
Objection! What about war?
PANGLOSS:
War!
Though war may seem a bloody curse
It is a blessing in reverse
When canon roar -- Both rich and poor
By danger are united!
(Till every wrong is righted!)
Philosophers make evident
The point that I have cited
'Tis war makes equal -- as it were --
The noble and the commoner
Thus war improves relations!
(Pangloss tries to justify the apparent imperfections of the world by claiming that it is optimal among all possible worlds. It must be the best possible world, because it was created by an all powerful/knowing God, who would not choose to create an imperfect world if a better world could be known to him.) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candide
Actually, supporting someone for shaming women because it furthers the goal of creating a society in which women are no longer shamed is more like supporting serial killers because the the publicity they draw helps people feel more strongly about the sanctity of human life.
"it would be like saying war is really a good thing because of the (possibly good) ending side effects."
>it would be like saying war is really a good thing because of the (possibly good) ending side effects.
War can be a good thing for that very reason. It can be a form of politics that is used to avoid further and larger loss of life. However, this only works if the war is not drawn out.
Art of War (and relevant analyses) are good references on this topic. Art of War specifically talks about avoiding long and drawn out campaigns, and let's just say that a few recent examples come to mind.
If I may recall the relevant operetta on HN:
CANDIDE:
Objection! What about war?
PANGLOSS:
War!
Though war may seem a bloody curse
It is a blessing in reverse
When canon roar -- Both rich and poor
By danger are united!
(Till every wrong is righted!)
Philosophers make evident
The point that I have cited
'Tis war makes equal -- as it were --
The noble and the commoner
Thus war improves relations!
(Pangloss tries to justify the apparent imperfections of the world by claiming that it is optimal among all possible worlds. It must be the best possible world, because it was created by an all powerful/knowing God, who would not choose to create an imperfect world if a better world could be known to him.) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candide