would't our original moral mind-set about how to honorably fight erode over time? I mean, do you think its possible that after many years, we would eventually stoop to arming our small children and sending them to fight, using extreme torture methods and even exploiting schools, hospitals and churches to hide and mount attacks? Is it more of a question of stressed humanity vs. moral obligation?
2007-02-15 11:23:09 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
And can this argument be applied to Iraqi insurgents?
2007-02-15 11:23:46 · update #1
If you look back in time, the Minute Men defeated the British by using Indian tactics and not fighting in the style of the British. Even as recent as WWII, young men, under the age of 18, were sent into battle. However, most cultures draw the line at using babies as warriors. As for torture, their are no innocent parties.
In the case of someone invading the U.S. today, I think that the American people would take the battle into the streets and not be cattle waiting for someone to rescue them (another country intervening).
Does this also apply to the Iraqi insurgents, I don't think so. These are people that are killing their own people.
2007-02-15 11:33:59 · answer #1 · answered by kny390 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
It's impossible to say for certain how Americans would react. The last time we were invaded was nearly 200 years ago, when society and warfare were very different than they are today.
Personally, like with anything else, I believe different Americans would react to a homeland invasion in different ways. A small minority would probably stoop to the most vile acts of terrorism right from the start. Another small minority at the other end of the spectrum would probably fight honorably to the end.
The majority would probably drop some standards, but I don't think most Americans would ever stoop to bombing their own churches or shoving their own children in front of the invader's convoys. Perhaps my opinion is just "nationalist pride", but I think Americans do have unique values in that regard. We might hide out in churches, or recruit 15 year old insurgents, but I don't think we'd ever carbomb a crowded market just to make bad PR for the invaders.
Of course, I also don't think American insurgents would ever have to stoop to that level. The American populace is rather well armed, and has a large number of experienced veterans. We'd be able to put up a significant fight using just standard guerrilla tactics.
And I don't think the Iraqi insurgents should get a pass for doing the despicable things they do, any more than U.S. troops should get a pass when they commit atrocities. No matter how desperate your situation, it is never acceptable to intentionally kill innocent people. I have even less sympathy for the insurgents when I think about what many of them are fighting for- either a return of fascistic Ba'athist rule, or the imposition of religious tyranny.
2007-02-15 12:03:01 · answer #2 · answered by timm1776 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If we had a president that was killing innocent people just because they opposed him, oppressing the MAJORITY and giving all the power to the minority... and then someone came to help...we would probably be thankful(unless we were the minority that was taken out of power). If after that happened, a fringe group from Mexico came in and started blowing up bombs in our marketplaces, killing anyone and everyone...destabilizing our whole way of life. Making the rebuilding process impossible, maybe that scenario fits a hypothetical situation more similar to Iraq? What do you think?
2007-02-15 11:40:04 · answer #3 · answered by ♥fluffybunnyears 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would use any means possible to prevail EXCEPT strapping bombs on my children. And I would not be all shocked and surprised if a church got bombed if we were using it for military purposes.
2007-02-15 11:55:50 · answer #4 · answered by martinmagini 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Confederacy didn't, even as the Union smashed into its heartland and burned its cities.
2007-02-15 13:05:16 · answer #5 · answered by usarocketman 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
no. I can think of using cheats like they used in the revolutionary war and such (ie snipers in trees, etc.), but none of the things you mentioned are acceptable.
2007-02-15 11:41:59 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course.
We have NO reason to believe that Americans would
act any more honorably or logically than others in
a situation like that ...
Other than ill founded national pride, of course.
2007-02-15 11:31:29 · answer #7 · answered by Elana 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
All of that is in place now from all outward evidence.
Cause and effect. It is people's natural bent to do evil. That's why it took a miracle to make them otherwise. Not many. And one at a time.
No thanks to government.
2007-02-15 11:28:35 · answer #8 · answered by vanamont7 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I bet americans would actually give a damn if it was on their own streets
2007-02-15 14:39:18 · answer #9 · answered by Mickers 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
we would as we have shown historically do whatever it takes to win against any invader
2007-02-15 11:31:28 · answer #10 · answered by billc4u 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋