LWolf
LWolf's JournalWhat if...
We can create infinite hypothetical situations that could lead to more war.
What if we focused on non-military responses and interventions, instead?
Here's what I consider a real possibility:
For the rest of my lifetime, some humans are going to be committing atrocities upon others, individually, in smaller groups, nationally, and globally. "Getting Bin Laden/Assad/Saddam/" etc. doesn't stop that, or even slow it down.
The real solution is not going to come militarily. Killing begets killing. War begets war. Atrocity begets atrocity. And I consider bombs an atrocity.
The real solution to human violence will come, not through punishment, revenge, and violence, but through peaceful means.
Interesting.
Anyone who meets my standards of integrity on issues will be automatically dismissed, by you, as "unelectable." As indicated by your "can get elected" phrasing.
If that's true, that nobody worth voting for can be elected, the first front ought to be true election reform, getting private money out of the process.
Of course, if enough people ignored the "unelectable" hysteria and simply voted for those who meet the highest standards on social and economic justice, rejecting the neo-liberals, neo-conservatives, and bat-shit crazy fascists, we might find that we could get some better candidates elected after all.
My red line?
As an individual, my red line is right in front of my nose.
If someone within my physical reach to help is attacked, I will be there. I will be there with my cell phone to call 911, and my body to offer as protection. I will not carry nor use a firearm.
As a citizen of a nation, my NATIONAL red line is here:
If someone launches a physical attack on the nation, I want us to defend ourselves. Right here. I don't need to chase the attacker around the globe. I am actively opposed to compromising civil liberties at home in the name of "security." I don't need revenge, punishment, or to prove anything to anybody. I just need to end the attack.
As for the rest of the world...I am actively opposed to unilateral action anywhere. I am willing to support UN efforts to intervene to protect human rights IF:
1. Multiple diplomatic efforts and other sanctions have been vigorously pursued, supported, given time, and still failed.
2. There is global consensus on the need to use military force.
3. The U.S. is one part of a multi-national force acting under UN command.
Edited to add:
I don't believe violence is ever an appropriate tool. Because I'm human, and not a saint, I will use physical force to protect, only in the last extremities after everything else has been tried first, and only to stop harm.
To protect. Not to attack.
Profile Information
Member since: 2003 before July 6thNumber of posts: 46,179
