If we can't save all the people on a sinking ship, should we save any of them at all then? That is the analogy.
Okay, to use your analogy (but change the question) - which would be more in keeping with the principles we, as Americans, espouse
- To offer a helping hand to those who wish to be helped?
- or -
- To shoot half the passengers and crew so you can get to the captain and kill him, because you just know it's his fault the ship is going down, all the while ignoring those you could have helped, because you have your mind fixed on a particular agenda?