Human Shields and Choice

[kandrathe]

This reminds me of that scene in "Demolition Man"...

Cop at Scene(to Headquarters): Maniac is imminent. Request advice.
Cop at Headquarters: With a firm tone of voice... demand maniac lie down with hands behind back.
Cop at Scene: Simon Phoenix! Lie down with your hands behind your back!
Simon Phoenix: What's this? Six of you. Such nice tidy uniforms.
Simon Phoenix: Oh, l'm so scared.
Cop at Scene looks puzzled.
Simon Phoenix: You don't have sarcasm any more?
Cop at Scene(to Headquarters): Maniac responded scornfully.
Cop at Headquarters: Approach and repeat ultimatum in an even firmer tone of voice. Add the words, "or else".
Cop at Scene: Lie down on the ground... or else!

You know the rest.

Pacifiscm only works when the "maniac" has a conscience. Or more importantly, cares about the lives involved. Where were all these "pacifists" when Saddam was dropping poison gas on the Kurds? I didn't hear about a flood of compassionate pacifists into Northern Iraq. Why is it that these pacifists only want to get in front of US bombs?