How should we treat our enemies?

[sybarite]

Originally Posted by Flynn

Syb

America invaded Iraq because of the 9/11 disaster the two events have very little, if anything, to do with each other.

America is currently killing innocent people in Iraq in retaliation for an event that is not their responsibilty.

Thousands of Al Queda have been killed in Iraq including the most wanted, Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi. That's thousands less that can slam planes into our bulidings killing innocent people.

[Flynn]

Syb

Thousands of innocent Iraqi women and children are also dead.

I suppose we just mark them down to collateral damage and not think any more of it. After all they aren't humans like the people who call themselves Americans.

[indianajoe]

As in all wars it is the innocent who pay the ultimate price for something they cannot control.

[JustAnotherFace]

Originally Posted by Flynn

What are these things that America has fixed ?

As for the rest of the world trying to kill Americans, if your army stayed within the boundaries of your own country then I'm sure that would lessen the amount of USA dead and wounded.

We've replaced violent dictators. Ended the war in the pacific in WWII. Built schools in Africa. Given aid to various countries in need. Just because the media only shows you another American war and chooses to look past the humanitarian news that doesn't sell as well, doesn't mean it isn't there.

Ok... so if we stay within the boundaries of our own country, there will never be any more war with America? That's what you're saying? Because the rest of the world - or here, the middle east - is just so much more civilized to not crash planes into our buildings? The rest of the world is too civilized to not bomb trains in Spain? The rest of the world is too civilized to not murder their own people in the streets? The rest of the world is too civilized to not use American taxis to crash into a Jewish wedding in New York and murder the bride, groom, and a couple bystanders? THAT is what you're saying.

Originally Posted by sybarite

Now, Now!!!! When I become a mother-in-law, my son-in-law is going to LOVE ME!!!!

I would hope so, but I don't know... lol

Originally Posted by Flynn

America invaded Iraq because of the 9/11 disaster the two events have very little, if anything, to do with each other.

America is currently killing innocent people in Iraq in retaliation for an event that is not their responsibility.

America invaded Iraq for reasons not known to anyone but the President and his close advisers. We had good and ample reason to be in Afghanistan, and we should probably be in Iran.

So, yes, I'm sure that in YOUR country, the military itself decides where they are going, if anywhere, and who they will kill, if anyone. Because where I'm from, you sign on to do your duty and then you go and do it. We don't get the luxury of deciding for ourselves what that duty is.

Originally Posted by Flynn

Thousands of innocent Iraqi women and children are also dead.

I suppose we just mark them down to collateral damage and not think any more of it. After all they aren't humans like the people who call themselves Americans.

Did anyone say that they weren't human? Other than you? Do I agree with being over there? No. Does that mean I think a soldier should shirk his duty, then? NO. We replaced a violent dictator with a shaky democracy.

Let me tell you a story, and I hope you understand... if you even read this far.

My MOS was 21-T. It means I was an engineer. My unit in particular doesn't normally carry M-16s, we carry Beretta M-9s. So when a Tech. Engineering unit is in Iraq with their M-9 pistols, the civilian population is MORE FRIGHTENED of them than they are of a soldier with an M-16, a M-249 SAW, or anything large and automatic like that. Do you know why? Because they have images and memories burned into their heads. Saddam and his higher ups carried pistols and would execute people in the streets. Sure, the Iraqi military carried assault rifles and killed people too. But, to them, if they were to see a pistol, there was a 50/50 chance they were going to do.

That is what we replaced.

Originally Posted by indianajoe

As in all wars it is the innocent who pay the ultimate price for something they cannot control.

Exactly. No One wins in war. It's only ever a question of how much each side is willing to lose.

[sybarite]

Originally Posted by Flynn

Syb

Thousands of innocent Iraqi women and children are also dead.

I suppose we just mark them down to collateral damage and not think any more of it. After all they aren't humans like the people who call themselves Americans.

It's a tragedy any innocent civilian has to die in war. Sooner or later the Iraqi people are going to have to stand up to the thugs and bullies that are a threat to their families or they will never have peace.

I still have yet to figure out what bug bit you in the arse to make you hate America so much.

[Don'tLikeStinkingThinking]

Is it possible to not hate the US while not liking some of the countries behaviors?

I hope so as this is what we do with our loved ones, we isolate those behaviors we don't like and try to find a better way, yet we continue to love the child/mother/father etc...

I love the US, but I don't like many of our governments behaviors and frankly I am so damn patriotice I will speak my mind when the government gets to big for its britches and it has. So am I a hater of the US NO, but I HATE what alot of what we have done in the name of spreading Democracy!

Does this make any sense?

[sybarite]

Originally Posted by Don'tLikeStinkingThinking

Is it possible to not hate the US while not liking some of the countries behaviors?

I hope so as this is what we do with our loved ones, we isolate those behaviors we don't like and try to find a better way, yet we continue to love the child/mother/father etc...

I love the US, but I don't like many of our governments behaviors and frankly I am so damn patriotice I will speak my mind when the government gets to big for its britches and it has. So am I a hater of the US NO, but I HATE what alot of what we have done in the name of spreading Democracy!

Does this make any sense?

You really haven't read many of Flynns past posts, have you?

[Don'tLikeStinkingThinking]

No but I am getting the impression he has been pigion holed. Yes, it may be his fault, but then again I have many faults.

I remember when I was a young lad and people judged me by my behavior, yet they didn't know me and/or what cause me to act in such ways.

If someone keeps telling me this or that about me sometimes we give them what they want.

I know I am new and I don't know the dynamics of the board very well at all, but doesn't that make me a good candidate to be a source from outside the circles of the roo? Impartial that is!

[sybarite]

Originally Posted by Don'tLikeStinkingThinking

No but I am getting the impression he has been pigion holed. Yes, it may be his fault, but then again I have many faults.

I remember when I was a young lad and people judged me by my behavior, yet they didn't know me and/or what cause me to act in such ways.

If someone keeps telling me this or that about me sometimes we give them what they want.

I know I am new and I don't know the dynamics of the board very well at all, but doesn't that make me a good candidate to be a source from outside the circles of the roo? Impartial that is!

LOL! Anyone else care to chime in here? I don't think our new member has been properly initiated into the Roo!!!!

[Don'tLikeStinkingThinking]

Sybarite,

I am not trying to start anything here at all. In fact just the opposite. Is this the middle east and bridges can't be mended?