From: "Antti Kurenniemi" 

"Geo."  wrote in message
news:3ea97d4a$1{at}w3.nls.net...
> > > How do you know someone is the enemy in a war before you kill them?
> >
> > They shoot at you. A supposed terrorist who may have tried to plant a
bomb
> > somewhere is not even close to as clear a case.
>
> so then are these guys fair game?
> http://www.fbi.gov/mostwant/terrorists/fugitives.htm

Did they shoot at you?


> > > My turn to ask a question: Do you believe anti-terrorist
> > > practices are equal to being at war?
> >
> > If I understand that right, then no, I don't. Anti-terrorist
> > practices should not be a reason to invade to countries
> > and kill people, of whom the vast majority are not terrorists
> > and were not a threat of any kind.
>
> I could use that same line of reasoning to argue against any type of
> war.

Exactly.


> Is there any type of war you do believe is just?

Defensive war, when you are being attacked. Not pre-emptive because you
*think* you*may* some day be attacked, but when you are actually being
attacked. Also, I am not saying *after* you have been attacked, but at the
very moment someone attacks, then it's okay to go to war to defend your
country and your people and your beliefs.


> > I don't know if I got that - war is okay if it's to prevent a war?
>
> All forms of war are undesirable and to be avoided, however sometimes
> it can't be avoided, the reasons why that's true are the same reasons
> I believe torture may at times be justified as a method to fight
terrorism.

I think it's important for us to stay above that. I think it's important to
not only focus on the here and now, but to think of what sort of world we
leave behind. I don't want a world where if I plant a bomb, and then make
an anonymous call saying it was your son who did it, then your son might
end up being tortured. Questioned, yes, and then found innocent, but not
tortured and then found innocent and this close to being dead.


Antti Kurenniemi

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