Dien Bien
10th February 2006, 16:22
I've noticed a lot of posts concerning violence. While recognizing its value and merit, I cannot claim to be a great advocate of the use of violence. Violence most often begets more violence, bringing pain and suffering to the masses. And here is where my question comes in: is it acceptable to bring harm to the people in the attempt to help them?
To clarify my question, I give you the examples of Nepal, the Philippines, Iraq, FARC, and the Vietnam War. In all cases, rebels or revolutionary forces, fighting to help/free their people (or claiming to) engaged in the kidnapping, torturing, raping, and murdering of those very people they fought for. It was part of their strategy, their tactics in the revolution, and they all believe(d) that their end goals justified their means, that the victory was worth any price.
I agree that it is worth the price if that price is the lives of your enemies or even your own, but to take the lives of those you say you want to help, the lives of innocent women and children, is that right? Is that truly made okay by the attainment of your goals? Like in Iraq now, the insurgents fight to free their fellow countrymen from the imperialist grip of the US, to drive the foreign militaries from their country, but they kill as many of their own women and children, civilians, as they do their enemies.
I just can't see it as being acceptable. You're opinions, please.
To clarify my question, I give you the examples of Nepal, the Philippines, Iraq, FARC, and the Vietnam War. In all cases, rebels or revolutionary forces, fighting to help/free their people (or claiming to) engaged in the kidnapping, torturing, raping, and murdering of those very people they fought for. It was part of their strategy, their tactics in the revolution, and they all believe(d) that their end goals justified their means, that the victory was worth any price.
I agree that it is worth the price if that price is the lives of your enemies or even your own, but to take the lives of those you say you want to help, the lives of innocent women and children, is that right? Is that truly made okay by the attainment of your goals? Like in Iraq now, the insurgents fight to free their fellow countrymen from the imperialist grip of the US, to drive the foreign militaries from their country, but they kill as many of their own women and children, civilians, as they do their enemies.
I just can't see it as being acceptable. You're opinions, please.