You don't beat them by becoming them.
You know, all these “take the high road” platitudes and “but we’re better than they are and they do that” arguments are all well and good in civics class and speeches before the Rotarians.
We’re in a struggle for the very survival of civilization or else a dark age will descend across the world for centuries. One must do what one needs to in order to prevent that. If it means getting right down into the mud with them to fight them on their terms so be it. They’re not going to fight by Marquis of Queensbury rules so why should we?
Talk to any veteran of the war in the Pacific. Do you really believe we showed the forces of Imperial Japan the same graciousness we did to the Germans and Italians in Europe? I have several bridges to sell you if you do.
Take a look around you, to your family, loved ones, home town.....how far would you go to keep all of them safe? Or would some precious “ideals” stop you?
I’m not often Macchiavellian in my outlook on things, but when you’re fighting for the very survival of all that you know, love, and cherish the Florentine Chancellor makes a great deal of sense.
Really, Emp, where is your usual reasoned self-restraint?