Posted by Isis at d-128-152-12.bootp.virginia.edu on January 15, 2003 at 11:11:22:
In Reply to: I'm scared of "let's just love one another" logic posted by Barry, Suave MF on January 15, 2003 at 10:42:46:
Not that I think you should -- by all means DON'T -- but it's a point to consider.
: 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.
Would you then advocate shooting the infant?
That's what you seem to be saying.
: 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?
Because their incentive to become terrorists then increases. Assuming that preventing terrorism is your goal, feeding the world would be a damn good start.
: I agree w/El Al's methods. But how would doing that here help our fight against terrorism.
How often is an Israeli plane hi-jacked? Do bombs EVER get on those planes? Very, very rarely.
: 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
You're saying that if we kill anyone who may someday become a terrorist, terrorism will cease?
That's just frightening.
: 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".
Afghanistan?
: 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 consider it a travesty against humanity.
: So what do you suggest we do? Be nice to others?
I suggest we use any other method other than war. Heightened security is one way. Careful tracking down of specific terrorist cells and leaders, as venus mentions below, would be another.
Shit, if terrorists are so clever that they can come up with MANY NEFARIOUS POTENTIAL METHODS of wiping us out, and preventing one method WON'T STOP THEM THEY'LL COME UP WITH MORE!, how is it that our ONLY solution to preventing terrorism is randomly bombing the fuck out of various nations, such as Iraq (whom, I might add, have NEVER been proven to have ANY connection to Al Qaeda -- while Saudi Arabia, one of our longtime allies, actually does have such a connection)?
Are we not as imaginative as some jackass with a bad misinterpretation of the Koran, and a pieced-together bomb?
That's really underestimating American intelligence, dignity and ingenuity, in my very humble opinion.
That having been said, I don't wish to argue with you. This is a time for solidarity, not tearing each other down. I've made my point as clearly as I can and I'm not going to waste energy getting angry in a fight. See ya 'round.