NationStates Jolt Archive

Every innocent death creates another generation of fighters.

Remember that when you indiscriminately target innocent civilians . . . Hezbollah and Hamas!

The thirst for revenge is a terrible force.

If someone brought harm to my family, I would have a very difficult time getting over it, and forgiveness may not be something I would be capable of.

I think the philosophy is that if you kill them all there won't be anyone left to fight back. Or maybe that's just the impression I get.

The thirst for revenge is a terrible force.

If someone brought harm to my family, I would have a very difficult time getting over it, and forgiveness may not be something I would be capable of.

Hate all you want, don't get over it, don't forgive. But act on those sentiments and you will pay the price.

By that logic, we should still be fighting new generations of Germans and Japanese. Obviously we're not.

I think the philosophy is that if you kill them all there won't be anyone left to fight back. Or maybe that's just the impression I get.
Ah, genocide. Fun for all historical periods.

I think the philosophy is that if you kill them all there won't be anyone left to fight back. Or maybe that's just the impression I get.It's a foolish philosophy, that's for sure...and rarely could it be successful. I imagine there are many on both sides, who never would have considered violent action, who will now absolutely consider it, and possible engage in it, out of rage, mourning, a sense of injustice...I also think those strong emotions make it easier for people to deny the humanity of others, which is also dangerous. Reducing things to 'those trying to hurt me' and 'those of us being hurt' makes it easier to harm 'them'.

Oh lord, do we really, really need another thread about this?

Hate all you want, don't get over it, don't forgive. But act on those sentiments and you will pay the price.

By that logic, we should still be fighting new generations of Germans and Japanese. Obviously we're not.
Yes, but many other conflicts that have been going on for generations, all over the world, are still continuing to this day. The Middle East is a prime example of that. So sure, some conflicts are 'over'. Others have no end in sight.

I think the philosophy is that if you kill them all there won't be anyone left to fight back. Or maybe that's just the impression I get.

Spot on.

If they're amenable to reason--or bribery for that matter--that would be cheaper (see post-1945 Germany and Japan). If not, take 'em out.

Spot on.

If they're amenable to reason--or bribery for that matter--that would be cheaper (see post-1945 Germany and Japan). If not, take 'em out.
And when neither side is amendable to reason? You are making the assumption that someone here is right, and someone else is wrong. What happens when all sides are wrong?

It's a foolish philosophy, that's for sure...and rarely could it be successful. I imagine there are many on both sides, who never would have considered violent action, who will now absolutely consider it, and possible engage in it, out of rage, mourning, a sense of injustice...I also think those strong emotions make it easier for people to deny the humanity of others, which is also dangerous. Reducing things to 'those trying to hurt me' and 'those of us being hurt' makes it easier to harm 'them'.

Yeah, I agree.

And when neither side is amendable to reason? You are making the assumption that someone here is right, and someone else is wrong. What happens when all sides are wrong?

Also an interesting point. It eventually gets to the point where things are so overblown that it just doesn't matter who is "wrong" and who is "right" anymore, because almost nobody is going to be convinced by those arguments and individuals are just going to steadfastly defend their ideals to the end. At least, until one side can claim victory over the other by beating them down to nothing - if that actually ever happens, which in the case of the Arab/Israeli conflict, it may very well not.