Alternatives To War

[The_Rorschach]

If you are going to begin a thread with less have fifty words. Don't fucking bother. I, for one, do not like being a monkey that dances for the pleasure of others. Like some goddamned referee calling fight, and stepping aside. Post a fucking opinion, a stance, back it up, and let the conversation begin well. Christ. You could take lessons from Retro Kat. At least HE gave an opinion when he started his Atheist thread.

"Look at the many, many historical examples of war puting an end to terrorsim."

Now, the difference between an army and a terrorist band is not one of numbers or financing. Its one of targets. Piracy, one a wide scale, I believe can be interpreted as terrorism. - True, it lacks the political or religious requisite, but fundementally, the operations I will cite have many traits similar to terrorist actions. Non-nationalist individuals striking civilian targets with harmful intent. So, just in US history alone, if my assumptions are acceptable, there is a history of war against such individuals.

Barbary Coast Pirates - 1801-1805, 1815
They demanded tribute money, seized ships, and held crews for ransom or sold them into slavery. We ended their little seaborn empire. I'm not entirely sure if slavery is preferably to death, but I think both are equally heinous.

Operations Against West Indian Pirates - 1822-1830s
Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico; By the early 1820's nearly 3,000 attacks had been made on merchant ships. Financial loss was great; murder and torture was common. -looked for figures, came up empty, my apologies-

China Relief Expedition - 1900-1901
This period was known as the Boxer uprising. Certainly this was terrorism as the victims killed by non-combatant Chinese civilians were some two thousand Chinese converts and 250 Missionaries.

I don't care to expand upon the last century of history, as it would only be repeating what you all already know. The war is as necessary as it was unavoidable Burbank, and I think you'll agree with me on this.