Human Shields and Choice

[Occhidiangela]

Can war be avoided? I think so, and I think that a group of diplomats committed to finding a peaceful solution is just as effective a method as breaking out the guns.

1. The diplomats are often effective when they have something to bargain with. The problem with a peaceful solution is that is be a solution acceptable to all parties. In any event, War itself is part of the continuum of human social interaction. It is an option.

2. You are probably right about this bit.

Returning to the topic, though, I think these human shields are not it. Basically, they're in it because their misguided beliefs tell them that the American forces will aim at civilians, which they won't do anyway. Their presence or absence is not going to change anything, and I suspect, when they die as they inevitably will as a result of collateral damage, the reaction of the world (except for a few raw-throated screaming activists) will be a shrug and a "well, they put themselves there...."

I suspect a few of those throat screaming activists will use the "martyr" deaths to spin a different message, and the media will give them a podium to speak from.