Re: Just Say Know

I think it's interesting that Scottie, in his original post, brought up WW
II and Chamberlain's initial "anti-war" response to Hitler. It's that not
guns solve problems. It's just that sometimes, when you're confronted by
force, force is the only way to respond. There was no negotiating with
Hitler. There's no negotiating with Hussein, either. He was at war with
Iran for 10 years and invaded Kuwait. He _is_ developing weapons of mass
destruction and _will_ use them whenever it is to his advantage, or
advances his goals of domination of the region.

So I don't think Bush is off track in wanting to overthrow Hussein by force
-- better now than later, when he has the ability to more effectively
kill. I don't think the US should pursue this course of action without
international support, but I think it's a reasonable course of action given
the circumstances, just like I don't think anyone was off track going to
war against Nazi Germany.

The problem with pacifism is that it excludes necessary options -- and that
may have been Scottie's point. Not that war was desirable, just necessary.
And if necessary, then do it with your whole heart. But I don't have his
original post in front of me, so I can't say this with much certainty.

There hasn't been a war in the history of humankind in which innocents
didn't suffer. That's the nature of the beast. We either resist
oppression or we don't. Most people feel that _more_ innocents suffer when
we don't.

Jjim

Will Hochman wrote:

> Scottie may want to shift this discussion to how shrill anti war
> voices sound, but that's just a cheap rhetorical attempt to deflect
> the need for strong voices to teach older people that war is wrong.
> We did it with the Vietnam conflict and we can do it now.
>
> Robbie, you may be wise to trace probs to policies and I assure you
> that I'm keenly aware of how USA policies world wide make us "ugly,"
> but how can you join an army with a commander and chief such as Bush?
> Can you really argue that Sharon's leadership has made Israel a
> better place to live?
>
> As long as children are being killed in any conflict, I will
> perceive all sides involved with war making as "sides" representing
> ignorant people who think resolving conflicts with violence solves
> something. You can argue that it has worked this way in the past and
> you will be right, but I ask you how you think you are creating a
> better future when it will be based on who has guns?
>
> will
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