My comments to Garry Prior:
Reader comment on item: War's New Face

Submitted by Jeanne Graves (United States), Apr 20, 2003 at 09:44

Excellent and thoughtful article.

My comments to Garry Prior:

Terming civilians "innocent" does not translate into all others being guilty. Warfare is not the same as a court of law. Innocence in warfare refers to those who are unarmed and unable to defend themselves.

Perhaps the best way to define courage and heroism, in a war situation, are those who identify themselves as combatants and, despite personal fears, face the enemy openly. There is nothing courageous, nor dignified, about defenders who shed their uniforms and hide behind unarmed civilians in an attempt to protect themselves. Nor is it courageous to enter a foreign country and take advantage of its freedoms and wealth and plot to murder thousands of its citizens. Nor can I bring myself to admire the bravery of any regime that disempowers its citizenery and slaughters without reservation anyone who disagrees with them.

I do agree with you that the new technology in warfare is dispassionate and efficent. But behind that technology are human beings who use the restraint and compassion necessary to save as many lives as possible.

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