What "war"?

Current Events » in reply to They should be declared to "Prisoners of War" and held for the duration. That is the proper thing to do by international law.

What "war"?

Bowser — 4/21/2004 1:52:34 AM (archived)

On "terror"? That's a tactic. That's an emotion. May as well declare "war" on loud noises, bright lights, heights.

But first, one must "declare" war. And then, when it's "won", sign an armistice. Did we "declare war" against Afghanistan? Nope. Nothing that legal. Just invaded. Have we signed an armistice? Again, nope.

So how could one free anyone when the "war" is "won", when it's not declared, and certainly not winnable?

Can't. So the situation is phony to begin with.

Could have pursued al-Qaeda, and screwed 'em to the wall. We could have done a great job there. Could have "won" that. Could have eliminated al-Qaeda for once and for all. Could have been selective and targeted.

Instead the tactics only provided a recruiting incentive for 'em. The heavy-handedness seems to have spawned more and more people willing to use terror as a tactic.

Can't "win" against terror any more than one can fear, or anger, or rage. May as well declare a war against revenge, and try to kill everyone and their families and friends who doesn't like you.

And any tactic which creates 10 or 20 enemies for every one you kill isn't a great tactic.

Arf

The whole thread (28 posts)

Sounds like a typical concentration camp...paid by your tax dollars. - Jack Herer - 4/20/2004 8:02:08 PM
- More on the SCotUS argument - Fox - 4/23/2004 10:42:51 PM
- Gitmo is an abomination.... - Publius - 4/21/2004 1:02:41 PM
- They should be declared to "Prisoners of War" and held for the duration. That is the proper thing to do by international law. (n/t) - David F Mayer - 4/21/2004 1:18:22 AM
  - Al Qeada terrorists are not lawful combatants - Gary - 4/21/2004 6:00:24 AM
    - Perhaps, but we don't like summary executions. - David F Mayer - 4/21/2004 10:00:54 PM
    - "undue mercy" means they weren't summarily executed? - alcaray - 4/21/2004 5:23:17 PM
  - What "war"? - Bowser - 4/21/2004 1:52:34 AM
    - The war against Al Qaeda. - David F Mayer - 4/21/2004 10:04:36 PM
      - Do you declare war? How do you know when it ends? - Bowser - 4/22/2004 12:06:48 AM
        
        This has ample precedent in history: the Barbary Pirates for one. - David F Mayer - 4/22/2004 12:58:12 PM
        
        Absolutely barbaric. Makes us no different than the badguys. (n/t) - Bowser - 4/22/2004 7:37:07 PM
        
        What would YOU suggest? Letting Al Qaeda prisoners go? As long as Al Qaeda exists and continues to attack the USA, that is simply not feasible. (n/t) - David F Mayer - 4/22/2004 9:21:18 PM
    - re: war - Tom Brosz - 4/21/2004 4:17:43 AM
      - Legalistically, Bowser's point bears directly on Mr. Mayer's post. - alcaray - 4/21/2004 5:28:57 PM
        
        Wrong: That is exactly why it DOES work. It lets us hold them forever within International Law. (n/t) - David F Mayer - 4/22/2004 1:00:39 PM
        
        I hear you. But I think that's a circumvention of the law. - alcaray - 4/22/2004 4:16:45 PM
        
        The Geneva Conventions apply to all armed conflict, whether declared or not. - David F Mayer - 4/22/2004 9:24:12 PM
        
        You tend to speak in absolutes - alcaray - 4/23/2004 3:46:37 PM
      - Fallacy - Bowser - 4/21/2004 1:47:22 PM
        
        re: Fallacy - Tom Brosz - 4/21/2004 4:42:58 PM
        
        I just don't believe what you believe. - Bowser - 4/21/2004 5:07:43 PM
        
        Obviously. - Tom Brosz - 4/21/2004 10:29:11 PM
- "The most important theme in all the cases is the power of the president to conduct a new kind of war as he sees fit." - Lindy - 4/20/2004 9:39:23 PM
  - re: "The most important theme in all the cases is the power of the president to conduct a new kind of war as he sees fit." - Publius - 4/21/2004 12:39:31 PM
  - Good analysis... - Derek - 4/21/2004 12:41:35 AM
- It is, but it's "ours". - Bowser - 4/20/2004 9:28:58 PM
  - re: It is, but it's "ours". - Derek - 4/21/2004 12:49:57 AM

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