Flame — HabitableZone

Flame » in reply to re: Let's review the situation

Throwing out the rules of warfare
Mary Anne — (archived)

So the rules of war should go.

You mean like the rule against flying airplanes into large buildings in heavily populated civilian areas? Al Qaeda considers itself to be at war with the West. No rules, no differentiation of proper targets.

Though I suppose that, if military targets are OK regardless, then the Pentagon hit was legitimate in the World of No Rules Warfare.

Or is it only terror when someone else is the actor, and we are the recipient?

There's a practice called combat rape, in which soldiers use sexual violence to intimidate the populace. It's been used for centuries, but is frowned upon now. Maybe the rule against that ought to be eliminated too.

Are you saying that, in war, anything goes?

This is no incentive to surrender. If there is no demonstration of humanity, there can be no expectation of mercy or justice from one's opponent. In a case like that, surrender is tantamount to suicide. Die fighting? Or surrender to the people who stuck my neighbor's head on a pike and raped my mother? Hmm... Based on their behavior, what can I expect?

If the only object is to win the war, then yes, it will be shortened. The "peace" that follows will be a mere cessation of fighting, sullen and hostile, replete with secret stories of martyrs and heroes upon which the young are raised with the thought that, one day, the people will be avenged.

Sow brutality, reap hate.

Log in or register to post.

The whole thread (183 posts)