The Hardening of Hearts

[Sleeping in EQ]

"The war on terror, if it is going to succeed, will have to mobilize and train some of the less attractive varieties [of masculinity]. True manhood allows for feeling and sympathy, but in the dark war against terror, nothing that resembles sentimentality is permitted...Counter-terror and even torture are sometimes required to extract vital information before the next bomb goes off. In effect, the counter-terrorist will only gain his enemy's respect if he shows a savagery that is equal to the enemy's. We can be thankful that such qualities are not prized among us [except on CB?], but some Americans will have to aquire them."

--David Gutmann, emeritus professor of psychology, Northwestern University.

[jay santos]

We've got Jack Bauer. That's pretty much all you need.

[All-American]

Originally Posted by Sleeping in EQ

"The war on terror, if it is going to succeed, will have to mobilize and train some of the less attractive varieties [of masculinity]. True manhood allows for feeling and sympathy, but in the dark war against terror, nothing that resembles sentimentality is permitted...Counter-terror and even torture are sometimes required to extract vital information before the next bomb goes off. In effect, the counter-terrorist will only gain his enemy's respect if he shows a savagery that is equal to the enemy's. We can be thankful that such qualities are not prized among us [except on CB?], but some Americans will have to aquire them."

--David Gutmann, emeritus professor of psychology, Northwestern University.

Worked for Mormon's army, didn't it?

[non sequitur]

Seeing as how we're the only country in the history of the world to use nukes against a civilian population, I would say we have the requisite savagery to do what it takes to win the war on terror.

[All-American]

Originally Posted by non sequitur

Seeing as how we're the only country in the history of the world to use nukes against a civilian population, I would say we have the requisite savagery to do what it takes to win the war on terror.

USA! USA! USA!

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by non sequitur

Seeing as how we're the only country in the history of the world to use nukes against a civilian population, I would say we have the requisite savagery to do what it takes to win the war on terror.

The WWII generation did, but the current generations do not.

How does one win a war on a tactic?

[Colly Wolly]

Originally Posted by non sequitur

Seeing as how we're the only country in the history of the world to use nukes against a civilian population, I would say we have the requisite savagery to do what it takes to win the war on terror.

We know, we know. America sucks.

[non sequitur]

Originally Posted by Stick It In Him

We know, we know. America sucks.

It's not my contention that America sucks. America did was necessary. Nations have a basic survival instinct that kicks in when they are backed into a corner. The fact that we used nukes demonstrates that. We like to think that we are morally superior, but the truth is that when somebody has you by the balls, morality pretty much goes out the window.

[Colly Wolly]

Originally Posted by non sequitur

It's not my contention that America sucks. America did was necessary. Nations have a basic survival instinct that kick in when they are backed into a corner. The fact that we used nukes demonstrates that. We like to think that we are morally superior, but the truth is that when somebody has you by the balls, morality pretty much goes out the window.

Fair enough, although it certainly is in the eye of the beholder whether using nukes in WWII was immoral.