Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Dayuhan who wrote (81954)	3/14/2003 1:35:10 AM
From: paul_philp	Respond to of 281500

I objected to the presentation of war as some sort of video game, where we’re blipping units off a screen, not killing people. I said, and I will say again, that I believe war may at some times be necessary. I also said that I think the idea of rejoicing in the prospect of war, or of treating it lightly, is both disgusting at a human level and, in the long term, an approach that can dangerously distort our individual and collective judgment. Nobody here thinks war is a video game. There are many people who are against the war who make their point by attacking the moral character of the people who support the war. It is insulting and sometimes people react foolishly. It is a human response to the insult not a window into their soul. Paul

To: Dayuhan who wrote (81954)	3/14/2003 1:37:04 AM
From: greenspirit	Respond to of 281500

I objected, and I think this was plainly stated, to the manner in which some of these conclusions are being presented, here and elsewhere. I objected to the presentation of war as some sort of video game, where we’re blipping units off a screen, not killing people. I've been resisting wading in on this issue, but have decided to post a couple of thoughts. First of all, I don't believe I've seen anyone here express the opinion that this war is some sort of video game in which "we're blipping units off the screen and not killing people". Maybe I missed it, I miss a lot of posts at times. Could you point me to one post which alludes to this line of thinking Steven? Secondly, I would strongly hesitate in taking the position of assuming you know the background of other posters. Then taking that assumption one step further, by believing because they've never seen the horrors of conflict up close, they easily fall into the mental model of "let's roll". Have any of those opposed to war lived under the kind of tyranny Iraqi's live under daily? Have any of us here been first hand witnesses to ten thousand poison gas victims? To starvation, to torture, to rape, to beheadings? Did any of us witness first hand the death and destruction of our countrymen on 9/11? There are limits in which we all have to use our imagination and come to conclusions around. Some being the horrors of war, some being evil dictators who torture for power and pleasure, and some what it's like to be a victim of terrorist action.

To: Dayuhan who wrote (81954)	3/14/2003 3:51:24 AM
From: LindyBill	Respond to of 281500

I also said that I think the idea of rejoicing in the prospect of war, or of treating it lightly, is both disgusting at a human level and, in the long term, an approach that can dangerously distort our individual and collective judgment. What pissed me off is your Sanctimony. But, since you just did it again, I will ignore it from now on.

To: Dayuhan who wrote (81954)	3/14/2003 11:29:54 AM
From: JohnM	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

Well said, Steven.

To: Dayuhan who wrote (81954)	3/14/2003 5:24:16 PM
From: Ilaine	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 281500

If you can point to posts by someone on FADG making light of war, or rejoicing at the prospect of war, maybe you should, just so the rest of us can see what you mean. I don't recall ever reading anybody on FADG do this, but apparently you have, and JohnM has, and others have, so I guess I must have missed it.

To: Dayuhan who wrote (81954)	3/14/2003 5:48:33 PM
From: Ilaine	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

And while we're at it, do you really think that grownups need to be lectured that bullets hurt, and that real bodies bleed when shot, and that it's very hard to put people back together after they are blown up, and that dead people stink? Do dead people stink any less after they are tortured to death inside prisons? How about people who die because they can't get food and medicine because their government wants to play games? Doesn't their well being matter? How many bloody shirts do we have to wave to get credibility that our intentions are serious, that we don't perceive the world as a giant computer game, and that we, too care about humanity?