WIX Archives
Re: When is an enemy no longer an enemy, and who decides?
Posted by Christer on Fri Apr 12, 2002 11:24:04 AM
In reply top When is an enemy no longer an enemy, and who decides? posted by Karen on Fri Apr 12, 2002 08:36:57 AM
If we are discussing war actions, nation against nation, I think that Cees is on to something mentioning politicians.
The leadership is the real enemy, politicians and the military chain of command.
Ordinary people, drafted for military service, aren?t. They simply haven?t got a choise.
E.g. at the outbreak of WWII the german people had been brain washed for some ten years, maybe even as long as since the end of WWI.
Maybe they can be blamed for being ignorant but not for their participation in the war, they didn?t have a choise.
Maybe if the peace treaty post WWI had been different, WWII would never have happened.
Once the agressive leadership has been removed and the substituting leadership has proven itself, then the relations must be normalized.
I believe that was proven at the end of and post WWII, they had learned their lesson.
I?ve got a lot of german friends, ranging from the first post WWII generation and on, and they shouldn?t have to pay for something that happened when they weren?t even born. They shouldn?t even have to feel embarrassed at something their parents or grandparents did, should they?
On the other hand they must never be allowed to deny!
The veterans, who were actually forced into the conflict, have been traumatized beyond my comprehension so I won?t offend them by telling them not to hate their former enemy but, I hope that they don?t hate the people living in those countries today.
If we are discussing terrorism, well, the world is facing one of the most serious threats ever.
It?s difficult to define who they are and what their objectives are. This is the best "breeding ground" there is for suspicion and animosity among ordinary people.
Terrorist organisations and those who support them must be eradicated from the face of the earth, they must never again be recognized in the international community.
Nations, ordinary people, must however not only be given the possibility to restore their place in the international community, they should be assisted in their efforts.
Christer,
expressing his humble opinion