tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14162253.post116110960305182145..comments2024-03-28T18:57:15.124-06:00Comments on Wash Park Prophet: Bush Signs Torture BillAndrew Oh-Willekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02537151821869153861noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14162253.post-1161197063835617442006-10-18T12:44:00.000-06:002006-10-18T12:44:00.000-06:00indeed, an informed and reasonable person may conc...indeed, an informed and reasonable person may conclude that "americans" - who, exactly? american soldiers? walmart cashiers? who? - would be plenty safe had we not first invaded any the aforementioned countries. <BR/><BR/>it is heartening to see such concern about "safety" and rights meted out to "americans," and not the many millions killed by falling "american" bombs. kudos, and all that, about having your priorities in order, jon w.Dexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18071358071674949414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14162253.post-1161120182937498982006-10-17T15:23:00.000-06:002006-10-17T15:23:00.000-06:00War are more often won with alliances than any ind...War are more often won with alliances than any individual country's military power. Convincing someone to aid you, or even simply convincing them not to aid an enemy is often pivotal.<BR/><BR/>When you play dirty, you fight alone. When you have moral authority and keep the distinctions between you and them clear, the whole world has your back.<BR/><BR/>The power that comes from having allies and maintaining an international sense of accountability instills fear in nations and in individuals that consider committing horrors, and permits swift retaliation towards those that do so.<BR/><BR/>Muddy the waters and it is hard to summon people to take on the depots of the world, and the leaders in those movements will assume that they will never pay a price for their decisions. And it isn't just the leaders that matter. If a lowly interrogation officer thinks he'll likely pay a high price for his acts, he may think twice.Andrew Oh-Willekehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02537151821869153861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14162253.post-1161116462871995652006-10-17T14:21:00.000-06:002006-10-17T14:21:00.000-06:00I find the phrase, "people who hate freedom," curi...I find the phrase, "people who hate freedom," curious--ironic, even--but the point is interesting. From a purely practical standpoint, are Americans safer if we observe international protocol? I don't think the Viet Cong, Somali warlords, or Republican Guard ever took it into consideration.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com