Your premise seems to be that the only possible way these things could have happened (removal of OBL as a political force, defeat of Germany in WW2) is through violence.
No, just that it was the ultimately successful way. Through 15 years of constant pressure the US attempted to have him handed over to them for trial for offences committed against them. That didn't happen and he was still a figurehead for violence committed in the west.
Political pressure and activism is fine for dealing with with trade embargos or tariff disagreements, but when the problem is violence, you can't let it go on for too long, as the consequences are too great.
I believe that sometimes in diplomacy, you have to accept that peaceful negotiations have failed, and let your hired goons take Old Yeller out the back.
We must be vigilant about not shooting first, but in self defence or defence of others against violence, then sometimes it's the only way out.
Does that mean we are morally OK to take a gun and shoot everyone that buys into the concept of martyrdom?
If they put you in a position to say "kill me or I will kill you/some other innocent third party", then yes.
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branchandroot
(no subject)
Date: 2011-05-03 01:55 pm (UTC)No, just that it was the ultimately successful way. Through 15 years of constant pressure the US attempted to have him handed over to them for trial for offences committed against them. That didn't happen and he was still a figurehead for violence committed in the west.
Political pressure and activism is fine for dealing with with trade embargos or tariff disagreements, but when the problem is violence, you can't let it go on for too long, as the consequences are too great.
I believe that sometimes in diplomacy, you have to accept that peaceful negotiations have failed, and let your hired goons take Old Yeller out the back.
We must be vigilant about not shooting first, but in self defence or defence of others against violence, then sometimes it's the only way out.
If they put you in a position to say "kill me or I will kill you/some other innocent third party", then yes.