Originally Posted by Katczinsky

Are you kidding? History tells us quite the contrary. Violence only breeds violence. Haven't you ever heard of a man named Mahatma Gandhi? Non violence resistence is more powerful than any Army, or any weapon; and he demonstrated that. I'm against the Israeli occupation and systematic take over of the West Bank, but I'm also strictly against the terror tactics used by some Palestinians. They need to understand that non-violence will set them free.

Peace through violence only works in the most extreme of circumstances. Probably the only area where you can accurately proclaim that military intervention could bring good instead of more bad, would be Darfur; even though that could potentially be just as dangerous, because then you would get the rebels wanting you on your side and the government wanting you on theirs; and both groups are guilty of crimes against humanity (although it mostly comes from the Government and the Janjaweed.

The Iraq War has taught us this lesson that we should have already learned in Korea and Vietnam. Terror groups are larger than ever, and more of them are mad at the United States. Our security has been jeapardized. Rogue states feel more inclined to flux their muscles and have more room to push around others because they know the US military is already stretched thin in Iraq and Afghanistan. While we fight them over there, our government has systematically ignored securing our borders and ports, and they continue to leave certain high interest locations unguarded (like stockpiles, power plants, etc.).

And this war against Lebanon is only going to make it worse. The first invasion and occupation didn't do anything, but only breed (and even manifest) certain groups like Hezbollah. Now Israel, instead of working with the Lebanese government in securing their southern border, they have launched an attack mostly directed at Lebanese civilians and infustructure because they claim that they needed to be punished for not securing the southern border. Okay, they didn't secure it, but this move against Lebanon will only breed more recruits for Hezbollah, and only polarize the region even more. There only needs to be a spark to light the powder keg.

Now I agree that we do need a strong military for our security. But we can't go around using that as a world police where ever we feel like it. I think that militarism and violence are outdated, and need to be eradicated; but until then it is necissary we have a strong military and brave men and women that are willing to put their lives on the line. Speak softly and carry a big stick.