>>How is it that this logic of retaliation always works in one direction only? For the Israelis it's immoral, but for the Arabs it's quite understandable. Not that you condone it, but... If it's to be condemned for one side, it should be condemned for the others. <<
Nadine -
I don't know how I gave you the impression, if I did, that I believe the logic of retaliation works only one way? Of course it's immoral for both sides. I revile the whole concept of terrorism.
Some people justify the suicide bombers by saying that because the Palestinians don't have tanks or jets, they have no other choice. Of course they have a choice, and it's a stupid argument.
There is no justification for killing innocent people to further a political agenda. Period.
Now, having said all that, I'll take it one step farther. Applying the same standard, we must say that it's immoral for a nation to attack another one for revenge, and it's even more immoral for a nation to attack another one preemptively.
And don't EVEN start giving me a bunch of crap about us not having any choice. That's a complete cop out and an abdication of responsibility.
In the case of the action in Afghanistan, I think the U.S. was justified. Not for reasons of vengeance, but because the Taliban was openly harboring the people who had attacked us, and those people were vowing to attack us again.
If someone fires first, firing back is self defense. If you only think someone may fire at some unspecified time in the future, firing first is not defense, it's aggression. That's the problem I have with the Israelis, too. They attack first and call it self defense.
- Allen |
