just warfare for quite sometime, but that is different. That deals with the
reasons for war, not the conduct of a war.
At one time going after civilian populations was part and parcel of a
successful campaign. Looting, rape, even enslaving the local populace was
just part of warfare.
While I by no means think we should return to these things fully, I do think
that we have gone to far to the extreme in the opposite direction. In many
cases we require our troops to sublimate their duties, and place themselves
in risk, so as not to harm public opinion.
Civilians die in war. This is a fact, and not one of which any of us is
proud but it is true. Targeting a civilian populace, while distasteful,
makes sense in some cases. We forced the Japanese to surrender by dropping
nukes on civilian populations. We bombed German cities into dirt. We are
no better.
--
Timothy Heald
Web Portfolio Manager
Overseas Security Advisory Council
U.S. Department of State
571.345.2319
The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S.
Department of State or any affiliated organization(s). Nor have these
opinions been approved or sanctioned by these organizations. This e-mail is
unclassified based on the definitions in E.O. 12958.
-----Original Message-----
From: Doug White [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Monday, March 15, 2004 11:41 AM
To: CF-Community
Subject: Re: News bias
Maybe I am diluting it, in your viewpoint, but in someone elses maybe I am
asking a pertinent question. I'm not saying that what has happened countless
times in Israel isn't wrong, or reprehensible. I am saying that to anothers
viewpoint it is open warfare, and that is all.
Terrorism, and murdering of innocent civilians, such as that which is taking
place is not open warfare at all, You are sadly mistaken on this point.
Open
warfare is military against military.
Recruiting suicide bombers is clearly "Conspiracy to commit murder" with
only
criminal intent.
the suicide bomber is lied to, and coerced into committing the act, usually
by
the promise of financial rewards for his family, and/or great gifts in
heaven.
There is no way to define the killing if innocent civilians as anything but
murder. It is NOT warfare at all. Using countries who have declared war
government to government as an example is not germane at all.
_____
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