Posted on 07/08/2005 12:00:16 PM PDT by Happy2BMe
Rules of conflict for a world war
The multiple, simultaneous explosions that took place today on the London transportation system were the work of perpetrators who had an operational capacity of considerable scope. They have come a long way since the two attacks of the year 1998 against the American embassies in Nairobi and Dar-Es-Salaam, and the aircraft actions of September 11, 2001.
There was careful planning, intelligence gathering, and a sophisticated choice of timing as well as near-perfect execution. We are faced with a deadly and determined adversary who will stop at nothing and will persevere as long as he exists as a fighting terrorist force.
One historical irony: I doubt whether the planners knew that one of the target areas, that in Russell Square, was within a stone's throw of a building that served as the first headquarters of the World Zionist Organization that preceded the State of Israel.
It was at 77 Great Russell Street that Dr. Chaim Weizmann, a renowned chemist, presided over the effort that culminated in the issuing of the Balfour Declaration, the first international recognition of the right of the Jewish people to a national home in what was then still a part of the Ottoman Empire.
We are in the throes of a world war, raging over the entire globe and characterized by the absence of lines of conflict and an easily identifiable enemy. There are sometimes long pauses between one attack and another, consequently creating the wrong impression that the battle is all over, or at least in the process of being won.
Generally speaking, the populations at large are not involved in the conflict, and by and large play the role of bystanders. But once in a while, these innocents are caught up in the maelstrom and suffer the most cruel and wicked of punishments meted out by those who are not bound by any rules of conduct or any norms of structured society. For a while, too short a while, we are engrossed with the sheer horror of what we see and hear, but, with the passage of time, our memories fade and we return to our daily lives, forgetting that the war is still raging out there and more strikes are sure to follow.
It cannot be said that seven years after this war broke out in east Africa, we can see its conclusion. We are in for the long haul and we must brace ourselves for more that will follow. The 'Great Wars' of the 20th century lasted less than this war has already lasted, and the end is nowhere in sight.
There will be supreme tests of leadership in this unique situation and people will have to trust the wisdom and good judgment of those chosen to govern them. The executives must be empowered to act resolutely and to take every measure necessary to protect the citizens of their country and to carry the combat into whatever territory the perpetrators and their temporal and spiritual leaders are inhabiting.
The rules of combat must be rapidly adjusted to cater to the necessities of this new and unprecedented situation, and international law must be rewritten in such a way as to permit civilization to defend itself. Anything short of this invites disaster and must not be allowed to happen.
The aim of the enemy is not to defeat western civilization but to destroy its sources of power and existence, and to render it a relic of the past. It does not seek a territorial victory or a regime change; it wants to turn western civilization into history and will stop at nothing less than that.
It will show no mercy or compassion and no appreciation for these noble values when practiced by us. This does not mean that we can or should assume the norms of our adversaries, nor that we should act indiscriminately. It does mean that the only way to ensure our safety and security will be to obtain the destruction, the complete destruction, of the enemy.
MUCH HAS been said in recent years about the vital need for international cooperation. There is no doubt that this is essential. Yet no measure of this will suffice and it cannot replace the requirement that each and every country effectively declare itself at war with international Islamist terror and recruit the public to involve itself actively in the battle, under the direction of the legal powers that be.
In the past, governments have been expected to provide security to their citizens. The responsibility is still there, in principle. But in practice, no government today can provide an effective 'suit of protection' for the ordinary citizen. There can be no protection for every bus, every train, every street, every square. In these times the ordinary citizen must be vigilant and must make his personal contribution to the war effort. Private enterprise will have to supplement the national effort in many walks of life.
The measures that I have outlined above will not be easily adopted
overnight. When the US entered World War Two, Congress approved the momentous decision by a majority of one vote. Profound cultural changes will have to come about and the democratic way of life will be hard-pressed to produce solutions that will enable the executive branch to perform its duties and, at the same time, to preserve the basic tenets of our democratic way of life. It will not be easy, but it will be essential not to lose sight of every one of these necessities.
This war is already one of the longest in modern times; as things appear now, it is destined to be part of our daily lives for many years to come, until the enemy is eliminated, as it surely will be.
There was careful planning, intelligence gathering, and a sophisticated choice of timing as well as near-perfect execution.We are faced with a deadly and determined adversary who will stop at nothing and will persevere as long as he exists as a fighting terrorist force.
Win.
You beat me to it.
================================
The rules of combat must be rapidly adjusted to cater to the necessities of this new and unprecedented situation, and international law must be rewritten in such a way as to permit civilization to defend itself.Anything short of this invites disaster and must not be allowed to happen.
Win ... at all costs!
That's because our leaders lack the will to win it decisively. In so doing, they could end up losing it for us.
frankly the US needs to withdraw from the Geneva Convention, and fight this war the way it has to be fought in order to win.
Too many innocents and are best, bravest and brightest have died already to save the enemies homes and families.
I disagree. If the muslims faced any repercussions or terror in THEIR communities, this would end very quickly.
Why do we need to withdraw from the Geneva Convention? Terrorists have no nationality. They're not covered, since they wear no national uniform or insignia.
Right, till it hurts them as much as it hurts us (and in exactly the same way) they will never stop.
Hit them where they breathe. No other course will work.
If nothing else, they should have a flag. They cannot even claim that. Stateless murderers, that's all.
Wait a minute, I know there was a mosque on that corner yesterday, where did it go.....
Um, yes it does.
You see, to be worthy of our using restraint or acting “civilized,” you *must* abide by the same conditions. That’s part of what being an adult and being treated as an “equal” entails.
That means that if *you* agree to do certain things to visibly identify yourself, we will do the same in return. If *you* agree not to use schools, hospitals, churches, etc, as places from which to plan, store equipment/weapons, or mount attacks, *we* will agree not to destroy them as legitimate military targets.
If *you* agree not to pose as civilians or mingle among civilians, *we* agree not to target civilians as legitimate targets in order to kill you.
If you do *not* do those things, then it is our *responsibility* to eradicate your people in the largest numbers and easiest manner possible while minimizing losses to our people. There is nothing honorable or moral or beneficial or even desirable in behaving otherwise.
The above quote proves to me that there are still people trying to portray themselves as enlightened or sophisticated or civilized when in reality they’re worthless, foolish wimps.
Oh - it's July 8, 2005 and GWB still hasn't executed a single unlawful enemy combatant yet. Just pointing that out.
This "war" would have ended a long time ago (and a lot of our dead soldiers would still be with us) if the left didn't entice the insurgents on with hope of a Vietnam-like conclusion that would devastate America. Liberals couldn't care LESS about the Iraqis. They never cared. It's a big farce. All that fuels their outlandish, America-defeating rhetoric is hatred for Bush and lust for power. The more Iraqis that die the better.
Anyone who refuses to defend themselves or their property deserves to be trodden upon by their attackers. This nonsense about, oh they won't hurt my children needs to rethink their views of reality.
>> This writer is spot on. <<
So are you.
The Islamofacists had better be damn thankful I'm not the President. I would end this war is 30 minutes - the flight time of a nuclear armed ICBM.
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