User blog comment:Zippertrain85/Why the Stormcloaks are right./@comment-74.186.125.13-20130508213613

The main reason I usually side with the Imperials is that I can't bring myself to go against Jarl Balgruuf. The guy embodies the very best of what it is to be a Nord, and let's face it, he's the dragonborn's friend.

All the same, Ulfric isn't wrong. The Empire really is in a state of decline, and the Thalmor really are stomping all over Skyrim acting like they own the place. The thing is, Ulfric and the Stormcloaks approached the problem the same way Al Qaeda did. They force their views on other people, ignore sensible, less chaotic options because they aren't what a "true nord" would do, and kill anyone who doesn't outright support them.

Ulfric tries to let the ends justify the means, but the fact remains, a lot of the things he did (killing Torygg, slaughtering the reachmen in Markarth, starting a war that ultimately and obviously benefit his mortal enemies) have no possible justification.

Also, that argument that killing the king wasn't wrong because Ulfric challenged Torygg? There is no evidence, incontravertable or otherwise, that says Torygg accepted the challenge. For all we know, Ulfric just waltzed into the Palace, quickly gave his challenge, and let loose with the Thu'um before Torygg even had time to stand up from the throne.

Personally, I'd rather support the non-fanatics. Besides, it's true that the Empire was beaten the first time by the Thalmor, but it's made abundantly clear that the Empire never saw the invasion coming. If they learned their lesson (and stranger things have happpened), the Thalmor would lose the advantage of surprise. An imperial victory would then be feasible- provided the Empire isn't in pieces when the Thalmor show up.