03-28-2003, 08:40 PM
The issue at hand is more of:
The UN has already shown that it will not enforce its own decress in re Iraq beyond the limited method of imperfect embargo, so the question posed is: is that condition acceptable or not?
Try this on for size, at a local level:
The cops won't arrest the Mayors son, as they are unwilling to deal with the Mayor's displeasure when they do so, him being an indulgent father, yet the son is the person who keeps on pissing on the courthouse marble steps. This causes a slip hazard that not everyone can avoid. Some citizens don't much care, but others do, so someone, a citizen who wishes to see the law against such behaviour enforced, makes a citizen's arrest. In the process, the Mayors son gets a bloody nose, but is brought to the police station. Now, does it make sense that the citizen be sued? No, but a complaint may be lodged against him anyway, over the nose, when the issue is that the Mayors son was pissing all over the court house steps in the first place.
I realize that the analogy is not perfect.
We could rely on a cliche:
"Evil prospers when good men do nothing."
But being a cliche, it is a bit of a throwaway.
In any case, I am still not convinced that 'democracy' delivered at the point of a bayonet will be as well received as democracy that grows from within. The problem is, to get anything to grow, some weeds need to come out of the garden for it to bloom, but one can't say for certain whether or not the garden's sandy soil will support daisies, tomato plants, or venus fly traps. Or any of the above.
We shall see.
The UN has already shown that it will not enforce its own decress in re Iraq beyond the limited method of imperfect embargo, so the question posed is: is that condition acceptable or not?
Try this on for size, at a local level:
The cops won't arrest the Mayors son, as they are unwilling to deal with the Mayor's displeasure when they do so, him being an indulgent father, yet the son is the person who keeps on pissing on the courthouse marble steps. This causes a slip hazard that not everyone can avoid. Some citizens don't much care, but others do, so someone, a citizen who wishes to see the law against such behaviour enforced, makes a citizen's arrest. In the process, the Mayors son gets a bloody nose, but is brought to the police station. Now, does it make sense that the citizen be sued? No, but a complaint may be lodged against him anyway, over the nose, when the issue is that the Mayors son was pissing all over the court house steps in the first place.
I realize that the analogy is not perfect.
We could rely on a cliche:
"Evil prospers when good men do nothing."
But being a cliche, it is a bit of a throwaway.
In any case, I am still not convinced that 'democracy' delivered at the point of a bayonet will be as well received as democracy that grows from within. The problem is, to get anything to grow, some weeds need to come out of the garden for it to bloom, but one can't say for certain whether or not the garden's sandy soil will support daisies, tomato plants, or venus fly traps. Or any of the above.
We shall see.
Cry 'Havoc' and let slip the Men 'O War!
In War, the outcome is never final. --Carl von Clausewitz--
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum
John 11:35 - consider why.
In Memory of Pete
In War, the outcome is never final. --Carl von Clausewitz--
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum
John 11:35 - consider why.
In Memory of Pete