Quote:
Originally posted by Dan Halberstein:
1) Conventional war, such as we have recently seen (on the Israeli side), when waged in self-defense (as it was,) and when waged in accordance with accepted norms (as it was, despite strong protestations to the contrary seen here,) is definitely justified, so far as war is ever justified.
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Dan,
I realise that you feel Israel's situation very deeply.
Nevertheless, please allow me to say that this term "conventional war" seems like a gross obscenity now that industrialised war has become so monstrous.
If I must accept the unpopular label of "pacifist" in order to say so, I guess I must accept that. I am one of those who think that war is no longer possible. Somehow we must tackle these horrors without leaving a trail of carnage which we are told is "conventional" which seems code for acceptable. "Accepted norms" should be in Bob Clawson's thread. That's a really horrible weasel phrase.
Acceptable to whom?
Normal by what standard?
It is a war crime to destroy infrastructure. Now that crime has become an "accepted norm". "Normal" people do it all the time.
And I would say the same thing to the Hezbilah. You will tell me that that is ridiculous and I would agree with you.
It has to start with someone who doesn't mind being ridiculous.
Janet
[This message has been edited by Janet Kenny (edited August 20, 2006).]