Lieberman offers clear assessment on Iraq

[MikeWaters]

Here's a good thought experiment:

If we could, hypothetically, push a button and kill everyone in the middle east (including Northern Africa, Pakistan, India, and Indonesia) would we be safer?

I'm not speaking to the ethics or morality of doing so. I'm simply asking if Americans would be safer.

[il Padrino Ute]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

You are asking the military to kill hundreds of thousands of civilians in Iraq.

Didn't Bush say we were going there to liberate them from Saddam?

This is like me asking you if you prefer to 1) live in SLC under Rocky, or 2) have me kill your family.

I think you would take option #1.

An America that promises liberty but brings genocide is not a America I want to be a part of. And I think if you stop and think about what you are suggesting, you will agree with me.

You are correct that I would rather not see civilians die. They don't deserve to die if they really are innocent. But if they are willing to allow the terrorists to use their homes, businesses, mosques and schools to kill Americans, then they should be considered the enemy.

Perhaps I'm selfish and thinking only of my family myself, but I'd rather that it happen over there than here.

[SeattleUte]

Originally Posted by Cali Coug

No kidding. This "kill any and all Iraqis" mentality is scary. We are better than that. Any possible military gain from such a strategy would be more than offset by the moral and strategic consequences.

Well, it's not scary because the vast majority of Americans don't really feel this way. One of America's defining virtues is that so far the military is subject to the will and authority of the electorate. Nobody who's running things is talking about annihilating Iraqis.

[SeattleUte]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

Here's a good thought experiment:

If we could, hypothetically, push a button and kill everyone in the middle east (including Northern Africa, Pakistan, India, and Indonesia) would we be safer?

I'm not speaking to the ethics or morality of doing so. I'm simply asking if Americans would be safer.

Yeah, somebody set out systematically and deliberately to accomplish something like that back in the 1930's and '40's. He sure wound up creating a safe homeland for his people, didn't he (leaving aside for purpose of the thought experiment the enemies from outside that country). This type of thing is really what is meant by the word karma.

[YOhio]

Originally Posted by SeattleUte

Nobody who's running things is talking about annihilating Iraqis.

At least not in the United States. The terrorist organizations operating in Iraq often employ the annihialation of Iraqi's as a strategy. I understand the frustration of military folks and civilian observers, but carpet bombing entire regions with no regard for collateral damage is a certain failure in this battle of hearts and minds.

[il Padrino Ute]

Originally Posted by Cali Coug

No kidding. This "kill any and all Iraqis" mentality is scary. We are better than that. Any possible military gain from such a strategy would be more than offset by the moral and strategic consequences.

Do you feel it was immoral to kill the Nazis?

I see no difference between Nazi Germany and the terrorists.

[Cali Coug]

Originally Posted by il Padrino Ute

You are correct that I would rather not see civilians die. They don't deserve to die if they really are innocent. But if they are willing to allow the terrorists to use their homes, businesses, mosques and schools to kill Americans, then they should be considered the enemy.

Perhaps I'm selfish and thinking only of my family myself, but I'd rather that it happen over there than here.

Really? You may want to think this through a bit more.

While many are giving shelter to the terrorists, how many of them are doing so out of pure intimidation or fear? Do they deserve to die because they are trying to protect their family from retribution from terrorists? What would you do? Let me guess: you would kill them all and stare death in the face, right!

[BlueHair]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

Here's a good thought experiment:

If we could, hypothetically, push a button and kill everyone in the middle east (including Northern Africa, Pakistan, India, and Indonesia) would we be safer?

I'm not speaking to the ethics or morality of doing so. I'm simply asking if Americans would be safer.

I don't think we'd be much safer. The September 11th attacks originated on US soil by people that lived here. There isn't a country in the Middle East that could sustain a war on U.S. soil. They aren't capable of getting an army here let alone keeping them supplied. I would venture a guess that they wouldn't reach the U.S. before they were blown out of the water/air. Their only hope is to live among us and create terror like they did on Sept. 11th.

[il Padrino Ute]

Originally Posted by SeattleUte

Yeah, somebody set out systematically and deliberately to accomplish something like that back in the 1930's and '40's. He sure wound up creating a safe homeland for his people, didn't he (leaving aside for purpose of the thought experiment the enemies from outside that country). This type of thing is really what is meant by the word karma.

Did Japan ever attack the US again?

Perhaps it did make America safer.

[Cali Coug]

Originally Posted by il Padrino Ute

Do you feel it was immoral to kill the Nazis?

I see no difference between Nazi Germany and the terrorists.

You aren't talking about selectively killing the terrorists. You are talking about wiping out an entire country with carpet bombing.