Well my friend, I tend to differ with you on this idea. You just totally justified Jihad and terrorism in my mind, we don’t have to argue on this however. My thoughts on the bomb are my thoughts, they are true to my heart, the fact that we dropped the bombs on civilians bothers me, and for those reasons I previously stated, what else can I say? I am not down on America, just stating what probably many others must feel as well (but for the right reasons).
Regarding jihadis, there is no point in taking a moral stance when dealing with an existential threat that rejects our notions of morality.
Regarding activities of WW2: WWI was waged exclusively against enemy troops. Germany was back for a re-match within 20 years. WW2 brought the war to the ENTIRE populace: the wealthy, the poor, the women, the children. We convinced the entire population that going to war against us was a terrible idea, and we haven't heard a peep out of Germany OR Japan in several generations.
The best way to pacify a country is to have it be the case that when a man speaks approvingly of war, his women scream at him in rage and terror.
Going back to the Global Jihad, they can send suicide bombers against us forever, as long as their money people keep financing the jihad. If you want to stop the jihad, it's necessary to go against the people who finance it, and the clerics that preach for it.
No argument here, Scythian, my FRiend. I just have a different view of what war is. I don’t make a distinction that includes ‘total’ war. I also don’t think war has any subsets, e.g., Viet Nam, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc., whether they’re declared by Congress or not. The compartmentalized thinking of politicians and ‘rules of war’ or ‘rules of engagement’ concepts don’t work for me, either. At all.
And yes. War is freaking ugly. The Japanese, IIRC, have a saying that business is war. Interesting thought there.
I have thought we have been actively engaged in Holy War with Muslims since 1979 at least. I hardened my conclusions after 9/11. From a certain perspective, it is all inclusive, yes.
The bombs were good. I like my japanese hifi and plasma tvs made by hard working conquered japanese people. So less of them died and we got Sony. Win win.