Is killing people really the best method for attaining peace?

This is not the paradox that you suggest.

You are attempting to equate war with attaining peace.

I recommend that you read Clausewitz.

The purpose of war is not to attain peace. The purpose of war is to force your will on your enemy.

Diplomacy and negotiation bring peace. War only brings victory or defeat, and submission to the surrender terms of the victor.

Since terrorists were the first to declare war (i.e. bin Laden declared war on the US in 1998), should you not ask your question of the Wahabbists?

Matt

Kill people and break things. The way to win a war is to crush your enemy's will to fight.

American Hero

You mean how the Muslims blow us up because they are so peaceful? No, that is stupid.

But who said we are in Iraq for peace? We are there for self defense.

BDZot

War is the result when diplomacy has exhausted it's options.

Since terrorists don't respond to diplomacy, yeah, dropping bombs on them is a good idea since it prevents even more bloodshed in the future.

Kevin A

The insurgents are murdering innocent people left and right but that's OK with you?

Well it's not OK with me. Killing those that would murder innocent people isn't killing a person, it's killing a vicious animal and they all should be killed, everywhere.

Roy N

Your chances of living peacefully are seriously diminished by allowing yourself to be killed without a fight.

The sad fact is that we are often called upon to choose between peace and freedom. The world doesn't often allow us to enjoy both at the same time.

mudmarine

Ever try to pet a rabid dog ?
That makes as much sense as trying to talk a religious fanatic out of killing you.
we try like hell to avoid innocents in the line of fire, now if the other guy would do the same rather than shoot from a crowd.

luv_my_chevy_heavyD

If we were a nation without enemies, then it wouldn't make sense to be going to war. But the fact is, there are groups out there, leaders of countries, who HATE us. Did you hear that? H-A-T-E. And these people, these organizations will stop at nothing to bring us down, to destroy everything that our country stands for. These are people that can NOT be reasoned with. They do not understand diplomacy... peace talks, treaties, disarmament... it means nothing to them. So then, how can we be peaceful when THEY come HERE with their bombs and their airplanes full of innocent American citizens? That hatred and will to destroy us, how can we take that away from them? There is no 'peaceful' answer.

It's kill or be killed. It's not a pretty thought, but how much terrorism against us, in our own country, are we willing to take and not fight back?

In the animal kingdom.... survival of the fittest. Animals who are weak don't survive. A stronger, more determined predator is going to always take the life of a weaker one.

We can NOT be that weaker animal.

hanibal turkey

sometimes you have to go to extremes to atain peace and justice in a world that is unfamiliar with peace at all. its not like soliders are going around killing ne one they see if an iraqi has a motar launcher and is a bout to fire than that iraqi asked to be shot in order to potect others lives rather it be anoter iraqi or another soliders life

Laurel W

first i think we must ask ourselves what is terrorism?........i think most are just people caught up in something they don't understand......as far as killing...i believe a person does have the right to defend themsleves from attack but must be sure they are fighting the attacker and not something made up by the politicians to excuse their own agendas....the iraq war has nothing to do with defense and everything to do with invasion......there were more saudis on the planes than any other country....ever wonder why the US didn't attack Saudi Arabia?

*****

One thing is certain, you can just stand by and do nothing against when someone, or some nation slinging bullets and bombs at you. If you don't defend yourselves , you lose face as a nation, and no country will have any respect for you, and no one will come to your aid, if your should need help.

patrsup

Not to take a righteous stand on this but peace only comes when everyone involved knows their place in the hierarchy. What I mean by this is that within a government, there is peace when the governed agree to the rules of the government. If they donâ€™t there is anarchy and a general feeling of unease or â€œLack of Peaceâ€. There are really two ways to get peoples buy into the governed and government. One is through reasoned dialogue where all sides agree that for the good of everyone, each will do such and such. The other way is to eliminate those who do not agree with the above. Peace does not work as long as there are people directly working against it. You have either to convert them emotionally or physically. Emotional conversion is what occurs in peaceful transitions as a new generation grows up to desire the things the government can provide. Physical conversion means to remove the person creating the feeling of unease through either him leaving of his own accord (this is the case of refugees normally) or killing him. As long as he stays in the situation creating unease there can be no peace.

surelynotme

It wouldn't be very popular for politicians to tell the truth and say that they want to kill, would it? So they try to fool the world and themselves by saying they are promoting peace -- by killing! Of course, that policy has never worked in the past and never will work, but for some reason many people believe them! It is the most incredible, hypocritical, and sad thing.

Black

Your question does make sense. Killing people is not the way to do things. People need to talk to each other more in an adult manner and try to work out the best way around this.

Eric M

Often there is no other way. You can't negotiate with everybody. Some people are beyond conversation, beyond diplomacy.

War is horrible, but there are still things worse, like the oppression under Saddam, like letting Hitler take over the world. Sometimes war is the answer.

We are trying to liberate Iraq, and we tried for 12 years to get Saddam to behave, but he was still horrible, so war was the way to go to get rid of him. Hopefully we'll win, and Iraq will be safe and free.

It's not a good comparison, but America started in the Revolutionary War. How else could we break away from the British Empire and get our freedom? The colonies were oppressed for quite a while, and had to fight for their rights. Lots of people got killed and maimed in that war, too. But it's worth it. The British weren't as horrible as Hitler or Saddam or Mao Tse Tung, but ...

400lbtwins

Kill them all at once with a conventional Nuke, that will bring peace.

angie247

i totally am against killing for peace. it is ridiculous.
i think we should leave them to do what they choose to and they can stay over there. We should focus on helping Americans and the immigrant's we already house.

i think we should pray for them and hope that they find Jesus.

Godly Reality Check

Actually you're philosophy simply has no equation.

Peace leads to war.

pitsargenaf

I salute you (like my pun?) for having the sack to write such a blatantly obvious paradox in this category! BRAVO! And yes, I totally agree; it is not right, nor justifiable, by either side. Oh wait, and don't you just love how people say to support our troops? Yes, I support them by staying home and LIVING!

WYETT M

yes. if we started killing conservatives things would be a little more peaceful

Bryan H

I think that when everyone in the world is dead, there will be no more conflicts. Humanity is the disease that sows the seeds of discord on the planet. Eradicate the disease and all will be well again.

agus f

yes and no

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