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When is an enemy no longer an enemy, and who decides?

Posted by Karen on Fri Apr 12, 2002 08:36:57 AM

Hi all,

I just finished watching a History Channel special on saving the U.S.S. Arizona, and it started me thinking.

In light of what happened on September 11, 2001, I find it difficult to believe that anyone in the civilized world will ever "normalize" relations with the Taliban, Al Quaida, or any of the other radical groups who threaten our civilized society.

However, I find myself wondering if the WWII, Korean, and Vietnamese, generations felt the same way during those conflicts. I wonder after Pearl Harbor, and the Holocaust, and so many other barbaric acts, if most people believed that not only would "we" never forget, but felt forgiveness, an impossible proposition.

Yet many governments have "normalized", relations with many of the countries involved.

I also wonder if there is anything horrible enough to propel otherwise civilized men to behave in the barbaric ways we have all witnessed in the 20th century? The Holocaust, the Bataan death march, Pearl Harbor, and even, to a much lesser degree, the interment of Americans of Japenese descent, into concentration camps.

I notice a tendency to celebrate all veteran's of WWII, and yet I have spoken to many WWII combat veteran's who still harbor animosity toward former enemies. I have also found this among veteran's of later wars as well.

So, this all goes back to my original question? When is an enemy no longer an enemy, and who, or what decides? There is of course, no specific answer to this, but I find it an interesting question.

Anyone else's thoughts?
Karen

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