Craig, RE: "I'm sorry, but history indicates that that is not always true."
No need to be sorry, because I said essentially the same thing in a previous post (that you missed, search X+K), which specifically said, yes, numerically X is the better option than X+K loss of lives, if those are the only two options.
We're in agreement with the math, so let's take the discussion to the next step of discussion:
Strategic issues:
- this is not about targeting a single country that may be conquered, but rather 27 geographically dispersed terrorist cells (under one umbrella)
(Your post, while mathematically valid, may assume this is a 'single-country' issue, but strategically it's an issue of 27 scary terrorist cells, all geographically dispersed throughout many countries and hidden too.)
- which means that violence against one could turn into hydra terrorism (TM TM)
No one wants hydra terrorism.
Given that, how can this country answer the question, "how do you fight violence without spurring more violence through violence."
This is a valid question, both morally & ethically, but also strategically.
As with any question, investigation into any patterns is useful. One pattern I noticed is that many of the hijackers seem to come from an oppressed area in SA, according to CNN.
Regards,
Amy J |
