There is no admonition to avoid fighting dirty. Likewise there is no direct command to capture the enemy alive.
You are right. War is hell and we are grateful to the men and women who fight on our behalf.
But, we are different. By tradition and by what we teach.
<<<By custom and tradition, soldiers in Europe believed that they had a right to extend quarter or deny it. ... In these 'laws of war,' no captive had an inalienable right to be taken prisoner, or even to life itself."
.....American attitudes were very different. "With some exceptions, American leaders believed that quarter should be extended to all combatants as a matter of right. ...>>>
I call it "fighting dirty", but in our War Colleges and the service academies, they teach proportionality.
Professional Military ethics is way beyond my abilities to understand. But, I am certain that it is wholly consistent with all our values of honor, integrity, and courage.
I am sure that when they talk about proportionality, they are pretty much talking about what I understand about not kicking someone when they are down. You don't behead anyone who is down just because he cursed your mother.
Nevertheless, these are complex matters and that at the end of the day, you and I hold traditional American values and they do not differ all that much in practise.
American values are different and worth fighting to preserve. Absent these values, we are like everyone else. There would be nothing to fight for. |
