The video the IDF didn't want shown

[odannyboy]

It reminds me of the pictures of Abu Ghraib, the murders at Haditha, or the torture at Gitmo in how Israel would never admit to these things and only the part of brave journalists uncover these abuses.

How many times a day are tragic scenes like this repeated?

http://freepressinternational.com/FP...ant-you-to-see

[BloodThirstyWench]

Dan, why don't you ever start threads about the horrors of terrorism? It's a shame...you'd have plenty of incidents to chose from. There are daily suicide bombings, car bombings, beheadings, kidnappings, highjackings...you name it, they've got it. Instead you chose to criticize any force that combats terrorism. I just don't get it. I thought you were an American?

As for Haditha...have you ever had a fully loaded weapon pointed in your direction with ammo that has your name on it? And in anticipation of your come back, no I haven't served...don't know what it's like. But my point is you can't judge a man until you've walked a mile in his combat boots.

[KBay84]

Forget it, he has no campaign medals....

[Steel21]

There is no such thing as Terrorism.

The generally accepted conduct of war is an extension of traditional warfare between landed gentries sanctioned by the Holy Roman Empire. As such, these conflicts resembles more of a contest between landed gallantries/nobility than actual warfare as we come to know it in the post-industrial era.

By contrast, warfare in the Far East was conducted in vastly different standards. For example, during the consolidation of China under the Qin, it was not unheard of for an entire army of 100,000 POWs to be buried alive. Of course, the Mongols were another great example. Their ability to utilize the sheer apprehension of the populace as tactic enables this otherwise small military force to achieve unparallel notoriety.

I view warfare simply as a systemic application of violence. There is no numerical requirement for combatant or a legitimate cause. It is simply an extension of the basic struggle for resources that exist in all species. We are taught that history is a struggle that results in the righteous over the heinous aggressors. Maybe that’s our own desire to make all the suffering and sacrifice amount to something.

We all like to think that all the wars and all the conflicts will eventually deliver us at a near future where there is lasting peace. I would argue that as long as there is discontentment, there will be war. And although the resource pie has gotten bigger with a larger population and more advanced technology, the ratio of haves and have-nots hasn’t really changed. The day the ratio changes is when we stop progressing, because the incentive for advancement is gone.

When you boil all conflicts to its basic core, it’s simply a competition for resources, whether economic or sexual. Maybe that's what patriotism really is, a united effort to defend the interest of the group.

So when viewed in this context, neither side is more righteous than the other.

Sometimes we miss the forest when staring at the trees.
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I've served in Armor and Stryker units as an Armor officer. Prior enlisted

[KBay84]

[quote=Steel21]There is no such thing as Terrorism.

Sorry, sir. I can only imagine that the loved ones of the people who died at the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and Pennsylvania will strongly beg to differ.

Try that line of thinking elsewhere, it doesn't work here...

[Woodmonkey]

Originally Posted by Steel21

There is no such thing as Terrorism.

There isn't? Beheading hostages on tape, sending out suicide bombers to kill innocents in shopping malls and buses, flying planes full of innocents into buildings full of innocents isn't terrorism?

So when viewed in this context, neither side is more righteous than the other.

When one side goes into a country, kills some soldiers and kidnaps a couple others and lobs rockets into a country unprovoked (Israel) you can bet your boots that one side is more righteous than the other. Hezbollah is a terrorist organization that has killed more Americans (prior to 9-11) than any other.

Yes, there is terrorism and, yes, the free countries are righteous in this fight against Islamofascists.

Oh, and welcome to Trackpads! If you haven't already, please introduce yourself on our Newbie Thread - Newbie Intros I

[odannyboy]

Originally Posted by BloodThirstyWench

As for Haditha...have you ever had a fully loaded weapon pointed in your direction with ammo that has your name on it? And in anticipation of your come back, no I haven't served...don't know what it's like. But my point is you can't judge a man until you've walked a mile in his combat boots.

You might want to read up on what happened at Haditha, and as far as terrorism is concerned, it is committed by both Israel and Hezbollah.