Proportionate War?

[moderateamericain]

I am slightly curious to the rational behind Proportionate Responses and A general idea that keeps popping up in regards to warfare from certain people on this board. Off the top of my head, Myata, and others who generally hold the same view. My question is, why are you so worried about the fairness of whatever conflict is going on? For instance, If hamas lobs rockets into Israel, an act of aggression anywhere in the world, why is the level of response from Israel a problem? I guess my question to you is, Why are you worried about the response when we should look at the root of the issue? Why was Hamas shooting rockets? Why did Israel feel the need to Blockade Gaza in the first place? and why is the Military response Now unjust? Im putting it out there for you guys to answer to the best of your ability.

[Yorkness]

Usually many people find themselves rooting for the underdog.

[Oleg Bach]

Usually many people find themselves rooting for the underdog.

We all root for the underdog because we are all the underdog. War can be avoided at all cost...but.....war is cost - all war is for profit...it used to be that in the old days you would wage war to protect what is yours - that is a LEGAL CONFLICT...now war is waged to steal from other tribes..that is NOT A LEGAL CONFLICT>.... It seems that todays wars are all about theft and profit - I say boycott the wars ....we do not benefit - a small group of adventuring creeps do...so why support what does not benefit you?

[KeyStone]

I am slightly curious to the rational behind Proportionate Responses and A general idea that keeps popping up in regards to warfare from certain people on this board. Off the top of my head, Myata, and others who generally hold the same view. My question is, why are you so worried about the fairness of whatever conflict is going on? For instance, If hamas lobs rockets into Israel, an act of aggression anywhere in the world, why is the level of response from Israel a problem? I guess my question to you is, Why are you worried about the response when we should look at the root of the issue? Why was Hamas shooting rockets? Why did Israel feel the need to Blockade Gaza in the first place? and why is the Military response Now unjust? Im putting it out there for you guys to answer to the best of your ability.

Well, there are two things to look at.

1) The Root Cause: This is perhaps the most critical as the conflict has been going on since Israel was created.

I think that expectations have been recalibrated, and things could be resolved if Israel came to the table in the spirit of cooperation, while still recognizing that there will be the occasional rocket launched - as there are too many in Palestine that despise Israel to shut off the rockets completely. The best Israel can hope for is an agreement with Palestine, Hamas and Fatah not to attack, to punish those that do attack Israel, and to actively work to eliminate rocket fire etc.

2) Immediate Threat: Many people are dying each day from the Israeli assault, and that needs to be stopped before anything else.

As for a proportionate response, I think we can all see that a nuclear missile launched at Tel-Aviv that kills hundreds of thousands would be disproportionate. By the same token, killing a thousand people, and massive destruction to Gaza, is disproportionate to the damage caused by the rockets. It does not mean that Israel needs to put up with them. It just means that Israel needs a better way of dealing with them.

Just as the US going into Iraq before all options had been exhausted, Israel's invasion was premature as well, and I think there are many more things that could have been done. For instance, if they had honoured the terms of the ceasefire. Then perhaps, the rockets would not have been shot.

[Muddy]

Israel has never elected a government that promised to wipe out it`s neighbours, and ,destroy all men,women and children.

Hamas, was elected to do just that!

This is not a war for profit. It is for survival of a nation as it always had to do since it`s creation by the UN in 48. If your going to fight an antagonist you better fight to win. Not come out and go punch for punch. Make sure the other guy is down and he knows that fighting on is not realistic. If the likes of Hamas ever wins the genocide that would occur makes this skirmish look like a school yard pissing contest.

[DogOnPorch]

No simple answer to the Middle-East or they'd already be singing 'It's a Small World' whil'st dancing in giant circles amoungst the posies.

In my opinion, though, the roots of groups like the PLO/Hamas/Hezbollah/Et Al come from Mohammad Amin al-Husayni. His shadow is cast across the entire Middle-East (to be dramatic).

-----------------------------------------------------

To the Grand Mufti: The National Socialist movement of Greater Germany has, since its inception, inscribed upon its flag the fight against the world Jewry. It has therefore followed with particular sympathy the struggle of freedom-loving Arabs, especially in Palestine, against Jewish interlopers. In the recognition of this enemy and of the common struggle against it lies the firm foundation of the natural alliance that exists between the National Socialist Greater Germany and the freedom-loving Muslims of the whole world. In this spirit I am sending you on the anniversary of the infamous Balfour declaration my hearty greetings and wishes for the successful pursuit of your struggle until the final victory.

---Reichsfuehrer S.S. Heinrich Himmler