Who says war is NEVER the answer? Why do you think so?

Question

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but WAR sometimes is the answer. Without armies fighting wars there would be anarchy. Nobody has found a way to replace the modern nation state with an army prepared to defend her sovereignty. The military is the preeminent legal authority upon which all of our institutions and laws are founded. Perhaps Posse Comitatus has confused you into believing you don't need a military? Let me know.

Anoldmick et al. I never said that the military is the preeminent legal authority in the United States. To clarifiy what I said: all nation states, including ours, derive their power to compel its citizens to pay taxes, obey laws, etc. from sheer brute force. If you fail to comply with the government, they'll lock you up. If you attempt to out-gun the police, you'll be classified as an insurection and that falls under the authority of the military. If you appeal for assistance from outside the country, that would be a violation of our sovereignty which again fall under the authority of the military. That is in the Constitution

Digital Haruspex - Yours is the best response so far!
Here's my responses to...
not provided any examples to support your assertion.
If somebody comes into your house to hurt you or your family, and you know that the police will have to discuss in a comittee whether or not to intervene, what would you do? Also see Steve C and Joe Rockhead

anarchy Unlikely since, under normal conditions, the military does not enforce the laws of the land.
That's because under normal circumstances there is a military. You call it deterence. Furthermore by anarchy I mean the situation New Orleans found itself in after the Hurricane. (PS who came to the rescue?)

military is the preeminent legal authority
This was covered in my response to Anoldmick

Hope you have more to say, I'll be waiting

map - Leave it to a military professional to get it.

Answer 1

Not exactly an answer to your question, but this quote seemed appropriate.

"Men since the beginning of time have sought peace. Various methods through the ages have been attempted to devise an international process to prevent or settle disputes between nations. From the very start workable methods were found in so far as individual citizens were concerned, but the mechanics of an instrumentality of larger international scope have never been successful. Military alliances, balances of power, Leagues of Nations, all in turn failed, leaving the only path to be by way of the crucible of war. The utter destructiveness of war now blocks out this alternative. We have had our last chance. If we will not devise some greater and more equitable system, Armageddon will be at our door".

Douglas MacArthur - September 2, 1945

Answer 2

"Who says war is NEVER the answer? Why do you think so?"

I wont say it's "NEVER" the answer as I dislike absolutes. I will say that it's rarely an answer to anything. I say this because 6000 years of recorded history show it to be so. Before recorded history I'm sure that our tribalistic ancestors found the same thing when the fought one another for reasons no better than: "They're different. Different bad. We go kill them now."

"I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but WAR sometimes is the answer."

But you've not provided any examples to support your assertion. Not that there aren't any good examples, just that you could have supported your argument a bit here. Don't expect me to do it for you.

"Without armies fighting wars there would be anarchy."

Unlikely since, under normal conditions, the military does not enforce the laws of the land. At best you could claim that without armies you'd likely be invaded, which is true. I consider armies a necessary evil. However, having an army does not immediately entail using it to go to war.

"Nobody has found a way to replace the modern nation state with an army prepared to defend her sovereignty."

True. I suppose. If I'm understanding you correctly.

"The military is the preeminent legal authority upon which all of our institutions and laws are founded."

I think not. The military has no legal authority over me as I'm not a soldier. Outside of the military itself the military has no "legal authority" and none of our "institutions and laws" are founded by it or on it's law.

"Perhaps Posse Comitatus has confused you into believing you don't need a military?"

As I said, a military is a necessary evil. Without one you are open to invasion. Having a large standing army of able bodied soldiers has been, until fairly recently with our technological advancements, the best deterrent to being occupied by an enemy nation.

"Let me know."

Sure thing.

Answer 3

And just how do you know that without armies fighting wars there'd be anarchy? Further, how is it you consider anarchy worse than people killing people? That's what war is, ultimately - people killing other people. Further still - where in the Constitution of the United States does it say that the military is the preeminent legal authority in the United States?

Well? We're waiting.

Still waiting.

Oh. You say it's not in there. Gosh, so where did you come up with that idea? Go tell whomever told you that that they're full of crap - and slap the crap out of 'im for being so stupid!

Answer 4

Yes, war is sometimes necessary. Like going after Osama in Afghanistan. I think that was necessary. Other times, it may not be necessary, but it seems wise. I supported Ronald Reagan's venture into Grenada, because I know that part of the world, and I know it was a great help to all the Caribbean nations. However, I'm convinced that many of our foreign ventures are unnecessary and unwise. Iraq is just the most recent example.

But I must disagree with at least one of your points. Our authority is not predicated on the military. The military may be necessary to defend or protect its viability, but the military is absolutely NOT the basis it was built upon. We are not a nation built on force.

Posse Comitatus hasn't convinced me of anything. That's kinda a reach, isn't it? But there is something to be said for a citizenry ready to defend the nation, rather than depending upon a standing army. I think that was the idea of our founders. But they were probably just a bunch of kooks. I don't know why we listen to nutcases like Washington, Jefferson, Madison or Franklin.

Answer 5

War is the answer when the question is -- how can we stop this evil madman or nation for killing it's citizens and likely those outside it's borders.

Those that qualify -- North Korea, Iran, China and Afghanistan. Unfortunately Russia kissess the rump of evil and in a recent poll those under 24 in Russia voted US as it's number one enemy.

Answer 6

yes i agree war is sometimes the answer bc if we were not able to fight do really think america would be standing as strong as they are now or even exist anymore hell no it would not even be here if it were not for war anyway. So war has to happen if we want to keep our country and our freedom.
I am not sure who said it though. i agree with you though if we did not have an army we would be so so screwed.

Answer 7

Hmmm...if somebody decides to bomb you, let's say, like December 7, 1941, then war isn't the answer? Maybe we should have just given Hawaii to the Japanese?

Germany decides to attack country after country in Europe, and war isn't the answer?

Answer 8

Sometimes war is thrust upon you. Germany and Japan showed us that.

Answer 9

At not one time in history has peace been achieved without war!!!

Answer 10

What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty or democracy?