03 January 2009

The Jacksonian Party and "proportionate response" in War

Originally presented 22 JUL 2006 at The Jacksonian Party. It doesn't matter who attacks you, this is timeless. And the cluelessness of those seeking otherwise is infinite, apparently.

A look at who is calling for 'Proportionate Response' in War:

[19 JUL 2006] Catholic News Service - Washington -- "Lebanon's Maronite Catholic patriarch said he told U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney that Israel has a right to defend itself, but its reaction to Hezbollah actions is not proportionate."[Google Cache , Catholic Online News updated post]

[14 JUL 2006] Jerusalem Post Online Edition - Meanwhile, President Jacques Chirac said that the IDF was "totally disproportionate" and asked whether destroying Lebanon was not the ultimate goal.

[12 JUL 2006] Ynetnews - UK Foreign Office Minister, Kim Howells said, “We condemn this morning’s infiltration and rocket attacks by Hizbullah on northern Israel. We are particularly concerned by reports that Israeli soldiers may have been kidnapped or killed.

“Hizbullah’s actions will further escalate an already tense situation in the region. A further escalation is in no one’s interest. We call on all parties to take actions to promote a rapid and peaceful resolution of the crisis and urge that any Israeli action be both measured and proportionate,” he said.
There is one and only one way to look at this from the Jacksonian viewpoint :
"Peace, above all things, is to be desired, but blood must sometimes be spilled to obtain it on equable and lasting terms." - Andrew Jackson
And the other quote of Jacksonians which explains WHAT Israel should do:
'We did not start this fight, but we sure, as hell, will END IT.' - Heard many times in many battles involving the Citizen Soldiers of the Republic
Indeed, peace and equitable peace... but fight until your enemy is vanquished or they have vanquished you. There is no other just way of it when one has been attacked. The only response is full out war, to the bitter end and defeat of the enemy. Leave 'Proportionate Response' to debates, but leave it OFF the battlefield.

2 comments:

Bloviating Zeppelin said...

The people who hate you will ALWAYS hate you -- if you think appeasing them will make them hate you any less.

In truth, a DISproportionate and overwhelming response will allow enemies to hate you for a lesser period of time.

BZ

A Jacksonian said...

I agree with SDB that there is no 'dimmer switch' on warfare - lives are too important to play around with and dragging out a war is worse than fighting it. Fight it, finish it and make peace... even if that means the peace of the grave, you shall have it. This should have been finished in 1948-49, but look at all the deaths we have had since no one wanted to finish it *then*.

That is 'proportionate response' for you... endless war. That is what the bleeding hearts are asking for - war, endless war, never finished, always fought with death always present.

To hell with that. Fight and mean it or don't fight - there is no 'proportionate response' in war.