Ronald Conard, CGCS said: Sandy Clark, CGCS said: Ron, several years ago when we had Marines blown up in Lebanon, the Russians had one of their people kidnapped. They found out who did it and sent a strong similar type message to the Lebanese terrorist. Not surprisingly, with the violence they inflicted on this guys family, the Russian soldier was released. During the same time, we had captives taken including a General. We played nice and fair and our guys were killed! Barbarians who I would consider followers of satan, not Allah, will understand one thing and that is superior power and brute force. Talking and negotiating just doesn't work in cases like this. Love to hear any other successful alternative.
Sorry Sandy but we purport ourselves to be a country of laws and civility. The world is a scarey and violent place. It always has been. I prefer that we progress into the future without adopting the type of reaction you're advocating. Do you really think "lopping off a few heads of their family members" is going to benefit our country and humanity in the long run? These guys have no fear of death. Your methods would not stop them and only would incite more violence. Does that mean we don't respond? Does that mean we appease them and negotiate? Of course not. But let's leave the over the top barbarism for others.
Taking the long view I'm not sure Russia's tactics have worked all that well for them either.
Your view Sandy runs against the grain of proven wisdom the world over, that being that hate begets hate. It's not sustainable and not in our collective best interest.
I hope this does not come off as holier than thou. Believe me there's a big part of my thoughts that roll approaches like yours around and around. But the challenge for all of us is to reign in those thoughts and act with civility. Lopping off domes certainly doesn't fit the bill.
I agree there is no need to put heads on a stake in the desert. However, a successful war is ugly. We, in America, have tiptoed our way thru the Korean War, Vietnam, and now in the middle east. Sticking our toe in the water drives us away with our tail between our legs, extends the war, and costs more in lives and money. We either jump into war with both feet or stay out. The only proven way to win a war is to completely bring the enemy to it's knees then rebuild the government to our liking. That will mean civilian and collateral death. So be it. That means refraining from engagement restrictions. See enemy. Kill enemy. So be it. That means some of our soldiers will go off the rails and make war look uglier. We deal with those soldiers accordingly but we don't handcuff a soldier who shot a child with his thumb on a switch running toward the soldier. PC wars are always a losing disaster. Man up or get out.