Posted by Barry, Suave MF at host-4-17-193-113.lordbissell.com on January 15, 2003 at 10:42:46:
In Reply to: I get scared when people use Minority Report logic posted by Isis on January 15, 2003 at 08:44:55:
: Will bombing the hell out of a bunch of raggedy civilians prevent future terrorism?
Our intention is to not bomb civilians. It probably will happen, yes, but that is the fault of Saddam. He purposely puts his military targets near civilian areas for the sake of protecting himself. It's almost the same as a man using an infant to shield himself from someone shooting at him.
: Isn't it well known that terrorist cells feed upon two things: poverty, and hatred of U.S. policies?
: How on earth would a war lessen either one of those two problems?
Our intent is to not let anything like 9/11/2001 happen again. It has nothing to do with feeding the world. Who cares if these people that already hate us hate us more?
: Wouldn't unionizing airplane security workers, and instituting policies like those of El Al (the Israeli airline), accomplish the same goal with a lot less blood? Why doesn't the federal government want to take the much simpler way out, the way that would result in no innocent deaths?
I agree w/El Al's methods. But how would doing that here help our fight against terrorism. Terrorists will just try other methods. We need to stop terrorists, not the means they use to carry out their destruction. So you're saying if we were like El Al, terrorism would cease? heh
: Why doesn't anyone get that you will NEVER, NEVER accomplish peace by making war?
Yes, and like I said before, we weren't at war w/anyone on 9/10/2001, but look what happened the next day.
: Violence begets violence. It's a principle as old as Hammurabi. And even in Ceasar's day, people saw the horrible irony in "making a desert and calling it peace".Since you bring this up, I'll add that wholescale war is a completely ineffective way to find and/or destroy any terrorist cell.
It's kind of funny that you mention that since we've never had a fullscale war to combat terrorism. As Jessie Jackson would say, "Your point is moot".
: Did blowing up every mountain in Afghanistan help us find Osama bin Laden? No.
: And has terrorism in Afghanistan ceased? No.
We didn't blow up every mountain. Our intent was to get Bin Laden AND overthrow the Taliban. We accomplished one. A man w/many connections and tons of money is not going to be that easy to find in such a country. So do you consider Afghanistan a failure since Bin Laden is not in our custody? I do partially, but only partially.
: If intelligence and swift, focused action is called for, so be it. But America's traditional slash-and-burn war tactics ain't gonna prevent terrorism in the least.
So what do you suggest we do? Be nice to others? It won't work. Bin Laden's (and others') main grudge w/us has to do w/our foreign policy regarding Israel. They want us to leave them alone so that Israel is left alone to defend themselves against the various Middle Eastern countries. We will not let them eradicate them like that.