09-02-2004, 01:54 PM | #41 (permalink) | |
Cracking the Whip
Location: Sexymama's arms...
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No need to try again. Some things are wrong regardless, so I'll take exception to your implication that if you are losing badly enough, it's ok to kill children. Conversation over. Good day.
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"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." C. S. Lewis The ONLY sponsors we have are YOU! Please Donate! |
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09-02-2004, 01:58 PM | #42 (permalink) | |
Loser
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I don't expect most American's would agree that that is what they would do if they were placed in the same situation. |
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09-02-2004, 02:09 PM | #43 (permalink) | |||||
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Also, please read my post again. I said "these people". I did not say Chechens. I did not say Russians. I think child rapists are scum also. Many of them are American. Does that mean I think all Americans are scum? You are making a fundamental mistake in logic and do yourself and me a disfavour. Quote:
Hard call. Personally, whilst I believe some things are worth fighting and even killing for (in military terms), I don't believe in murdering children. I'm sorry you seem to be justifying it. Quote:
4 - political means 5 - guerilla war (excluding terrorism; ie attacks on schools and hospitals) Quote:
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Mr Mephisto |
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09-02-2004, 02:10 PM | #44 (permalink) | |
Junkie
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Mr Mephisto |
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09-02-2004, 02:14 PM | #45 (permalink) | ||
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I lived with terrorism for 30 years. There are such things even the likes of the IRA called "legitimate targets". If you must be a terrorist/freedom fighter (different sides to the same coin), you should try not to descend into simple, brutality and inhumanity. "These people" (being the ones holding the children hostages) unfortunately have. Mr Mephisto |
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09-02-2004, 02:19 PM | #46 (permalink) | |||||
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I don't believe in genocide. Quote:
5- This has been going on for years. It hasn't stopped the Stalinist tactics of the Russians at all. The point of my question is that it is all well and easy to say "Damn those terrorist bastards!" - but the world is not as simple as that, as much as we might want it to be. |
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09-02-2004, 02:20 PM | #47 (permalink) | |
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Stalinist dictatorship - yes. |
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09-02-2004, 02:35 PM | #48 (permalink) | |
Junkie
Location: Detroit, MI
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civ·i·lize ( P ) Pronunciation Key (sv-lz) tr.v. civ·i·lized, civ·i·liz·ing, civ·i·liz·es To raise from barbarism to an enlightened stage of development; bring out of a primitive or savage state. To educate in matters of culture and refinement; make more polished or sophisticated. |
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09-02-2004, 02:42 PM | #49 (permalink) | |
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The Israeli's had a military. The Chechen's never have. |
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09-02-2004, 02:43 PM | #50 (permalink) | ||||||
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You asked what other options there were. I didn't realise you meant "What other, quick and dirty, no holds barred, anything goes options are there?" And for the record, the EU has repeatedly criticised the RF for its actions in Chechnya. Without actually going to war with the Russia there's not much else that can be done. Quote:
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And it IS that simple. As I said earlier, having lived in a country that experienced terrorism for 30 years, having been touched by it directly, I have a good understanding of both sides of any conflict. I can understand everyone's point of view, even Al Queda and Hezbollah and other terrorist/freedom fighting groups around the world. But some times, some groups cross the line. The Lord's Resistance Army in the Democratic Republic of Congo did it. And these particular Chechen terrorists (if that is what they truly are) did it. They crossed the line and deserve no respect. Finally, just one observation. There is an underlying implication in your entire argument that the Chechen seperatists are "rightgeous" in their actions. You should know that the majority of Chechen's do NOT support this kind of act. And your use of terms like "Stalinist" (when it is clearly not appropriate) also devalue your argument. Mr Mephisto |
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09-02-2004, 02:59 PM | #51 (permalink) | ||||||||
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They are vastly outnumbered. Vastly outgunned, technologically. And have basically zero international support. Quote:
1- Give up and let Moscow tell them how to live (i.e. stop trying to be free). 2- Let Moscow kidnap/torture/murder them 3- Fight to the death ... which would be quick and complete I would choose option 3. But if all Chechens choose option 3, all Chechens would be killed - this is genocide commited by the Russians. Should I, as an American, just wait until that comes to pass and then denounce the Russians as evil, or should I look at the entire situation (not just the most recent act of either side) and point out that there is no Good side and there is no Evil side in this war? Both sides are acting equally incorrect and need to stop. Quote:
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[quote]And for the record, the EU has repeatedly criticised the RF for its actions in Chechnya. Without actually going to war with the Russia there's not much else that can be done.[/quote[ That's exactly my point. Quote:
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I have already stated what I would do if I were in their position. And my actions would be a tacit agreement that life is hopeless. I would not threaten children - but the result would be the destruction of my people. Is that righteous? |
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09-02-2004, 02:59 PM | #52 (permalink) | |
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I did. So you believe a Russian news-site as having the definitive right to describe the current regime? They use the word "Stalin" or "Stalinist" four times in the article. Once in the headline, once in a soundbyte and only twice in an informational sentence. If you want to really understand what it was like to live in a Stalinist state, I recommend you do some reading. The following four books (all of which I've read in the past year coincidentally) will begin to throw some light on the issue. Gulag - A History by Anne Applebaum Stalin - The Court of the Red Czar by Simon Sebag Montefiore Stasiland by Anna Funder (a book on the corrupt East German regime, another so called Stalinist state) I also recommend many of the excellent biographies of Stalin, especially Koba the Dread - Laughter and the twenty million by Martin Amis. Mr Mephisto |
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09-02-2004, 03:06 PM | #53 (permalink) |
Loser
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I lived in Russia for 3 years. I have spoken with people that lived under Stalin.
I do not see any reason to doubt the veracity of the article I linked to. It may not be an environment that matches the scope of lives affected of the environment that Stalin created, but it is quite clearly the exact same tactics of dictatorship. If you disagree that Chechens are suffering, you should have said so at the beginning. As you are not living in Chechnya and as I am not living in Chechnya, I will use my experience in Russia during the initial Chechen war and the reports I have read since then. Until you offer some alternate source of information for me to consider, that is simply the way it is going to be. |
09-02-2004, 03:08 PM | #54 (permalink) |
Minion of the scaléd ones
Location: Northeast Jesusland
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Y'all have figured out now that I am left leaning for an Amreican. In this situation, though, you negotiate, negotiate, negotiate, lull, and generally stall. Then you storm the place and take your chances.
It has to be this way. At the worst, a schoolful of children, a dozen terrorists, and a half dozen military men die. At the best, a dozen terrorists die. However, if you accede to their demands, it will happen over and over and over again, and many schools full of children, malls full of regular folks, military men, and terrorists will die. Look at what happened in Iraq when the insurgency got the Philipines to move up their pullout of fifty guys by a month. There were hostage situations before, but it seems to have just exploded since then. I would then, as president, personally call each and every surviving family member and humbly apologize. I would then get on the TV and really sell the idea that we sacrificed these lives now so that we would not have to do it over and over and over again in the future. Now, I have put this callously. Do not believe I would look at it that way if I were the guy who had to give the order. Without details (and the point of the excercise here is not trick solutions), the choice is stark. I would most certainly weep and agonize over it, but it really is a no brainer. Something that crossed my mind while I was writing this: I cannot think of a way to defeat terroism without being even more barbaric than the terrorists. I wonder what would happen (besides incurring the complete disgust of the civilized world) if we put terrorists on notice that, sure, they go to meet Allah and their 72 virgins, but we will then kill every member of their families, 4 generations in each direction. (This of course would founder when a distaff memebr of the House of Saud blew himself up in a shopping mall....) The point is not so much just mindless savagery, but how do you raise the stakes on someone who is getting ready to give up their life? Chalk it up to frustration. I'm really concerned though that all we're really doing now is training smarter terrorists.
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Light a man a fire, and he will be warm while it burns. Set a man on fire, and he will be warm for the rest of his life. |
09-02-2004, 03:18 PM | #55 (permalink) | |||||||||||
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You asked what other options there were. I gave two. I don't have a crystal ball to see into the future and see what will happen. Putin will not be in power forever. Maybe the next President will not care if political parties in Chechnya want to secede from the Federation. You can't say it won't work. So basing your justification for child-kidnapping and the murder of civilians on this is not valid. Quote:
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You also seem to be repeating the same error again and again. I am not discussing the pros and cons of Chechen seperatism in general. I am denouncing, in the strongest possible terms, the actions of those particular terrorists in North Ossetia today. It's quite simple really. Freedom fighers? Understandable. Whether I agree with their goal or not is irrelevant. Child murders? Never, ever, EVER justified. And it does their entire cause a great disservice. Quote:
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1) Continue a standard guerilla war, with clearly defined "legitimate targets". 2) Resort to the political process. 3) Wait for Putin to retire Everything seems to be black and white in your book. It's not. Quote:
Wrong. You are justifying and explaining their actions, as if they were victims and had no free will or choice of actions, once more. Quote:
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09-02-2004, 03:23 PM | #56 (permalink) | ||
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You are either not reading my posts correctly, or deliberately missunderstanding me. The issue at hand is not Chechen seperatism. The issue is the child hostage-takers in North Ossetia. Oh, and for the record, the leader of the Chechen seperates, one Aslan Maskhadov, has denied his forces are involved in this attack. Once more, the whole basis of your argument is shown to be false. These people are not "Chechen freedom fighters". They are criminals. These particular people (before you go off and missunderstand me again). Quote:
The issue at hand is your continued "support" for a group of child murderers who even their own freedom fighters are disowning. Mr Mephisto |
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09-02-2004, 03:30 PM | #57 (permalink) | ||||||
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Clearly that is not a morally correct solution. Quote:
How long should the Chechens wait it out in the Stalinist dictatorship, as you require? 10 years? 50 years? 100 years? There is an easy solution which does not involve what the Chechens should or should not do - it requires the Russians to stop. That is the solution. There is no other morally correct solution. If the Russians stop, the terrorists will stop. You've said it yourself - maybe the next President of Russia will let the Chechens secede. Let's take it one step further and demand that the Russians let the Chechens secede RIGHT NOW. Quote:
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09-02-2004, 03:33 PM | #58 (permalink) |
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Ultimately it comes down to this:
- The Russians are morally bankrupt. - The Chechens are morally bankrupt. If the Russians stop being morally bankrupt, the Chechens will stop being morally bankrupt. If the Chechens stop being morally bankrupt and wage a standard guerilla war, the Russians will continue to be morally bankrupt. Therefore, the Russians hold primary fault in this situation. |
09-02-2004, 03:41 PM | #59 (permalink) | |||
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09-02-2004, 03:44 PM | #60 (permalink) | ||
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Any expression of moral indignation at the Chechens which does not include a stronger expression of moral indignation at the Russians is a flawed expression of moral indignation. |
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09-02-2004, 03:47 PM | #61 (permalink) | ||
Junkie
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It was a disaster due to poor planning, poor reconnaissance, poor command. Quote:
It's just one of many describing the action. I would also say that poor planning, and lots of bad luck to be fair, were the major factors to the Mogadishu disaster. I didn't dismiss a 100:1 "kill ratio", but I don't think gunning down teenage thugs with the best weapons the world has to offer is much to crow about. Mr Mephisto |
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09-02-2004, 03:49 PM | #62 (permalink) | |
Junkie
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I have repeatedly stated that I was not discussing the pros and cons, rights and wrongs of Chechen seperatism. I was talking about the particular terrorists in North Ossetia. The same ones who have been disowned by the Chechen seperatists themselves. If you can't understand that, and the original purpose of this thread, then move along. Mr Mephisto |
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09-02-2004, 03:53 PM | #63 (permalink) | |
Junkie
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You have stated repeatedly you see only three options. Politics didn't work. Period. All out war wouldn't work. Period. Third option is last resort. Period. Sounds black and white to me. In other words, there are no "shades of grey" or sliding scales in your argument. You're contradicting yourself opie. I'm tired of this now. Mr Mephisto |
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09-02-2004, 03:56 PM | #64 (permalink) | |
Loser
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Which simply doesn't make a damn bit of sense. When you start making some sense, please come back to the discussion. Thanks. |
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09-02-2004, 03:58 PM | #65 (permalink) | |
Loser
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I know it took you a few posts into this discussion to finally read the article we were discussing, but I assumed you had caught up? I'm not sure where you went off on some seperate tangent about "why do you defend terrorism?" when I clearly haven't - but it certainly hasn't helped the discussion. |
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09-02-2004, 04:07 PM | #66 (permalink) | |
Junkie
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1) I never said there is no excuse for terrorism, period. In fact, I explicitly said the opposite. Check it if you want. 2) I did say that there was no excuse for child murder. Ever. I even referenced other terrorist organisations that systematically do this and I don't support them (or their cause, no matter how laudable). 3) Stop parroting the word Stalinist about just because it was used in a headline somewhere. You yourself admitted, and I quote you directly, "It may not be an environment that matches the scope of lives affected of the environment that Stalin created..." Stalin instituted a state wide, oppresive, insipid and comprehensive prevalent system whereby the whole country began to destroy itself. Children denounced parents. Wives denounced husbands. Parents children. There were show trials. There were purges. There were systematic persecution of Jews and Kulaks. There were industrial level prison and later death camps. This is not happening in Chechnya, and you belittle the crimes of Stalin by so implying. What is happening in Chechnya is criminal, but not Stalinist. So there you have it. Blatant and intentional misquoting and misinterpretation of what was said. You see, the funny thing is I understand your position. Russia is perpetrating crimes in Chechnya. But the whole point of my thread was based upon the crimes of a particularly ruthless band of criminals who have murdered and taken children hostage. You tried to turn it into some kind of political rant about Russian polices in the North Caucasus. Go figure. Mr Mephisto PS - I now notice that you have descended into personal insult. Hopefully a mod will lock this now. |
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09-02-2004, 04:18 PM | #67 (permalink) | |||||
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09-02-2004, 04:43 PM | #68 (permalink) |
Tilted Cat Head
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There's no need to turn this into personal insults.
One needs to remember that opinions are just that. Maybe you both need to take a step back for a moment. the thread hijack indeed did happen by asking What would you do in place of the Chechens. Let's keep on topic of what would America do? If you'd like to discuss it from a different point of view then please start a thread to facilitate that. |
09-02-2004, 04:49 PM | #69 (permalink) | |
Loser
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The thread is - what would america do - if they were in the place of the Russians. I am asking the same question from the other perspective - what would America do if they were in the place of the Chechens. Yes, technically a new thread could have been started - but it's not like I hijacked the thread by talking about Kerry's service in Vietnam or how to make the best brownies. My _follow up_ question was directly related to the topic. |
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09-02-2004, 04:56 PM | #70 (permalink) |
Tilted Cat Head
Administrator
Location: Manhattan, NY
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I understand that but you didn't start the thread... his supposition was carefully laid out and you did ask a good question, but IMO is a discussion in and of itself.
Mephisto respected the other thread starters premise and role without hijacking his thread. I'm sure it could easily have "fit" under the original thread but because politics can get heated and ideas pushed from one end to the other he was mindful enough to separate it without moving his thread into a totally different direction. While it does work in more of the other forums in that manner we try to keep the politics forum a bit tighter than other forums. Again, if you'd like to debate the opposing viewpoint, then by all means start another thread. |
09-02-2004, 05:00 PM | #71 (permalink) |
Loser
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There seems to be a very fine line between offering an opinion by virtue of another perspective vs. taking something down a tangent.
I can't say I will ever be able to toe that line perfectly. But I understand the stated desire to pay attention to it closely. |
09-02-2004, 09:46 PM | #72 (permalink) |
Jarhead
Location: Colorado
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All you needed to say is that you support those that would murder children to attain their goals. Nothing further needs to be said.
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If there exists anything mightier than destiny, then it is the courage to face destiny unflinchingly. -Geibel Despise not death, but welcome it, for nature wills it like all else. -Marcus Aurelius Come on, you sons of bitches! Do you want to live forever? -GySgt. Daniel J. "Dan" Daly |
09-02-2004, 10:25 PM | #73 (permalink) | |
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09-03-2004, 05:14 AM | #74 (permalink) | |
Sarge of Blood Gulch Red Outpost Number One
Location: On the front lines against our very enemy
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Different situations and missions. I agree, they are fuckups, but they're not on the same level that I would put the Tehran cluster fuck. I agree, it is a very complex situation, sometimes all you can do is just breach, bang, shoot and hope for the best, especially if your policy is to not negotiate with terrorists. I know these teams aren't always going to win, because you'll always have REMFs (Rear Echelon Mother Fuckers) trying to cover their own asses and that complicates things more than they need to. Also, you've got lots of shit that can happen (Murphy's Law) and they try and prepare for the most contingencies as possible, but sometimes things just go hairy on their own. I think I kind of misunderstood your post, sorry about that, because you make excellent points. I provided a tactical analysis that is very probable if they're able to start such an operation. However, they could very well bring in their "negotiator" (tactical liar would be a better name) and tell them that killing children won't help your image, let them go. Killing women doesn't look so hot either, etc. etc. Until you get down to a very low amount of people and the risks of killing civilians in an operation that eventually takes down the bad guys, dead or alive, most likely dead though.
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"This ain't no Ice Cream Social!" "Hey Grif, Chupathingy...how bout that? I like it...got a ring to it." "I have no earthly idea what it is I just saw, or what this place is, or where in the hell O'Malley is! My only choice is to blame Grif for coming up with such a flawed plan. Stupid, stupid Grif." |
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09-03-2004, 05:26 AM | #75 (permalink) |
Junkie
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Well, it looks like they did their usual and stormed the building. At least 7 dead children, over 150 seriously wounded... facts still unclear.
This kind of result, though very unfortunate, does have one advantage and that's the message that the Russians will never let you get away with it. Of course, they fucked that up by letting some Chechens escape back to their country under safe passage a few years ago, but that's another matter entirely. Mr Mephisto |
09-03-2004, 05:56 AM | #76 (permalink) | ||
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Whether this story is true or not, thats up to each of us to decide. The story on the news is Russian medics, after negotiations, were "allowed" to approach and get the bodies out in the yard area of those that were killed in the beginning. Apparently, when they approached, two explosions went off, part of the gymnasium caved in, a fire broke out (which burned many alive) children ran, terrorists shot fleeing children, then the Russians engaged. As all of this happened, terrorists who switched from camo to plainclothes to resemble civilians "escaped," and other terrorists are now held up in a nearby house. I hate to sound redudant as most probably know more about the current situation than I did yesterday. I just heard little bits and pieces before today and only had a general idea of whats going on, so maybe this helps someone who was as uninformed as I was yesterday. Edit: Story changed..About 60 hostages left, 60+ dead. Personally, I think this is true, because as others have said, if you take hostages there, the Russians are going to kill you. This is the sort of message that they need to get everywhere. Taking hostages does not help your cause. It makes you dead men walking. Last edited by bodymassage3; 09-03-2004 at 07:56 AM.. |
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09-03-2004, 06:17 AM | #77 (permalink) |
Super Moderator
Location: essex ma
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here is a diagram of the school.
to give detail for those who like to think about how to best johnwayne the situation. which appears is what happened this morning, though reports are still confusing. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/36...stm#schoolplan
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a gramophone its corrugated trumpet silver handle spinning dog. such faithfulness it hear it make you sick. -kamau brathwaite |
09-03-2004, 07:26 AM | #78 (permalink) | |
Banned from being Banned
Location: Donkey
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It really only boils down to 2 choices: 1. Give into their demands, which is utterly stupid because once you do, they will essentially control you because you gave into "fear". At that point they will have won. 2. Attempt to stop them. If people die in the process, then that's a chance you have to take. If you never give into their demands, then there's no reason for them to think that you will either.. they may be willing to die, but somewhere at the back of their mind they will question it if you've never had a history of negotiating with them. I dunno, the stupidest thing you can do is give into demands.. because once you do, you don't know if they'll blow themselves up anyway.
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09-03-2004, 07:53 AM | #79 (permalink) | |
Sarge of Blood Gulch Red Outpost Number One
Location: On the front lines against our very enemy
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Anyways, looks like what happened is that some kids broke for it and forced the terrorists' hand and they started firing at them and the Russian forces fired back without having a total plan and then they just went in from there. Then after the cavalry started coming in the terrorists started setting off their explosives injuring a bunch of the people and then got the hell out of Dodge. Really unfortunate.
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"This ain't no Ice Cream Social!" "Hey Grif, Chupathingy...how bout that? I like it...got a ring to it." "I have no earthly idea what it is I just saw, or what this place is, or where in the hell O'Malley is! My only choice is to blame Grif for coming up with such a flawed plan. Stupid, stupid Grif." |
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