----- Original Message ----- From: "Richard Baker" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Killer Bs Discussion" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, April 14, 2004 2:51 PM Subject: Re: Alternate History
> Dan M said: > > > Are you arguing that one American life is worth more than 10, 100, > > 1000, 10,000 lives in Iraq? > > Isn't the job of the US government to govern the US and the job of the > US military to defend the US's interests? In which case, wouldn't it be > a reasonable position for the US government to behave as if American > lives are worth more than Iraqi lives? And, if not, why aren't American > tax dollars all being spent where they can do most good regardless of > whether those who benefit are American or not? I've thought about the best way to answer that for a bit, and I think I'll go with the family metaphor. I don't think that my children are more important than, say, Julia's. I recognize her love for her children is akin to my own. I don't think Teri is more important than Dan; I recognize that his role in Julia's life can be every bit as important as Teri's in mine. But, I also realize that I have special responsibilities toward my children. I don't worry about the twins getting sick; I worry about Ted's grades. Although we are our brother's and sister's keepers, that doesn't mean we don't have different responsibilities towards different people. The same is true with the life of people in foreign countries. The US government is responsible to the people of the US. Its primary responsibility is to look after their interests and to help take care of their responsibilities. So, IMHO, it must take into account the value of the lives of all people in the world because that is part of the responsibility of the people of the United States. Dan M. _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
