Bush's Handling Of The War

[Galactus]

Nebraska. I wonder if we can't remember one because diplomacy is far less dramatic?

[kmc]

I think this is one of those questions that has to be answered with a question. When in recent history has peace been achieved through negotiating rather than through war?

Even if we are to discount the examples given by the other posters, can it not be argued that war has not really given us true peace, Chrisfan?

[RocDoc]

Boring.

As an authority then, a proclamation.

So precious.

[skvorisdeadsorta]

yadda yadda yadda rocdoc.

[shin]

Hey, I thought you were only like this when I force you to be in your responses to me? Please, save the gravy for the turkey!

[RocDoc]

Uh-huh.

[shin]

Mmm, that's good gravy.

[RocDoc]

<sub>...and please don't slight skv's capacity of self-deception.

He might get pissed off...</sub>

[chrisfan]

kmc said:

I think this is one of those questions that has to be answered with a question. When in recent history has peace been achieved through negotiating rather than through war?

Even if we are to discount the examples given by the other posters, can it not be argued that war has not really given us true peace, Chrisfan?

The British seem to have gotten over that little revolution of a war we threw.

[kmc]

But from a certain standpoint, only because they had bigger fish to fry, and not without coming over here and wreaking havok in 1812. What should we suggest? That war is necessary to stave off the boredom of diplomacy?

[chrisfan]

It simply seems to me that, as strange as it seems, war brings about more peace than diplomacy does.

[skvorisdeadsorta]

Yes.

[skvorisdeadsorta]

maybe

[rockysigman]

And yet we keep having wars. And they're frequently directly connected to previous wars.

Wars do usually end in a short term peace, but it's pretty clear from history that nations that go to war against each other often do so repeatedly. That's a fact, no? So how can it be said that war lead to peace, when 5 years, 20 years, 50 years whatever later there's another war over an issue either left over from, or caused by, the previous one?

As for how much peace comes from diplomacy....well, that's impossible to answer. It's obvious that the nations that we have the best diplomatic relationships with are the ones we don't go to war with. That's got to count for something. Who knows what wars would occur if we were less diplomatic with any of those nations. It's really rather impossible to guess how many deaths are prevented through diplomacy. But its pretty easy to see how many deaths come from war.

Diplomacy is more than hammering through a last minute agreement to prevent an otherwise imminent war. It also means maintaining strong relationships with other nations so things never get to that point.

[skvorisdeadsorta]

no