What is it good for?

Where do we on Plime stand on war? Is it totally good? Totally bad? Or is it a mixed-bag?

If you think it's necessary sometimes, what conditions need to be present for it to be necessary?

When citizens are being denied basic human rights and/or are oppressed by tyrannical leaders, it is necessary, imo, for other countries to step in and try to help resolve the situation. Diplomacy is obviously the route of choice, but if that fails, I do believe in some form of military intervention.

I don't believe anyone thing can be said about war. You shouldn't go into countries like Iraq to introduce democracy, however there are places like Sudan where I believe it would be acceptable because they are in need of help.

I think war is necessary at times. But I also think that my country involves itself unecessarily in wars on foreign soil. I think we need to take care of ourselves instead of forcing ourselves on others.

Absolutely Nothing....

In a perfect world of butterflies and sunshine, war would never need to happen. I believe it is a terrible thing, but sometimes it is necessary.

Starting a war because a man was shot and allowing it to escalate into a global battle because of alliances and pacts is not really necessary. Starting a war for control of oil supplies is not necessary, either.

Starting a war because another nation/leader is invading neighbouring countries and systematically exterminating a minority is necessary. We can't always turn the other cheek.

Two of my cousins served as Peacekeepers in both Rwanda and Bosnia, and I am supportive of any participation in a conflict that strives to peacefully resolve the situation.

I find it hard to understand why some people are so hell-bent on killing each other ( ex. The Middle East), but if one is raised to live with such immense hatred I suppose these actions seem logical.

I'm just tired of being led into war because "It's our duty to bring democracy to oppressed people." First off, where did we get the idea that democracy is the end all and be all of all political systems? It just won't work in some countries. Second, why aren't we bringing democracy to places that could really use it, like in Africa. We won't help Sudan or Rwanda because they don't have anything we want (*cough* oil *cough*). It's such a hypocrisy

To echo what everyone else said, yeah, war is a terrible, terrible thing. Sometimes it is necessary (but only after all other routes have failed). This pre-emptive strike business is rubbish. If we invade a country quickly, it prevents diplomacy (or common sense) from working.

We should think of war as symptom of the sickness of the world we live in. This does not mean that war is cure.

Someone had to say it.

Are there any Plimates who are complete pacifists?

Not me, I live in the middle of the country... I think we have a few plimates on the West Coast, though.

NY'er, veteran, conscientious objector. I prefer to take any other route outside of war especially when that war is not on home soil but I cannot see having let WWII continue and millions more people be annihilated without outside parties stepping in, so as much as I abhor war, there are times when it's just necessary. Iraq is not one of those times.

I'm actually from Baltimore.

By your definition, DEP, then I am a "pacificst".

Woot to living on the Wet ..errr I mean West Coast!

Sometimes I feel there is an enemy that needs to be destroyed, no matter the cost, less we and our way of life be destroyed ...other times I wonder what's so funny bout' peace love and understanding.

I believe that makes you an atlanticist.

Only read the first post because I really don't want to know what others think about such a polarizing topic.

MY personal feelings are such.

It's completely inevedible. Why? Because there is ALWAYS someone trying to =uck someone over for something that is beyond their base needs.

You can all assume my stance on war, I'm sure.

And, at the risk of sounding like a stupid candy kid, I must say: If everyone would just abide by PLUR*, the world would be great.

*Peace
Love
Unity
Respect (I'm putting the emphasis on respect, as it's probably the first step.)

You could also add an 'e' for 'equality' and have Plure :p

What I don't get, and it's probably just how my brain is wired, is how people can be so accepting of leaders to such a degree that they'll let them boss them around and control their every move. I don't get why people aren't like "no, I'm not going to go fight a war for you" or "no, you're not going to be our dictator, shut up". It probably has something to do with me having a "problem" with authority (more like thinking everyone should be treated equally and be respected and not putting up with having myself or others treated like crap).

But, until people stop being such idiotic sheep, war will continue to be a necessary evil.

I'm adding this:

(From Subobisis)

I love you for this. PLUR Forever!!!

war is horrible. think about the basic concept of it: one human being killing another human being he knows nothing about. i can't understand how the most intelligent, compassionate creature on this planet is also the most brutal and savage. the sad thing is, it will always exist... maybe it's some built in mechanism we have for controlling our population or it's an animalistic quality we haven't evolved out of. whatever the case, until mankind bans together and realizes we need to start moving into space we'll keep on 'a fightin'. lol.

"what are we gonna do when this pale blue dot is gone for good?"

It is even more amazing when you realize that the country pushing Democracy is in fact a Republic.

You guys weren't watching Bush and his band of Acetabularii very closely. You see, the ball was really under the "WMD" cup and now, you only think it's under the "Democracy" cup.

War and peace are no different than the other polarities in

life and death
construction and destruction
action and inaction
help and hinderance
love and hate
one and the other
action and non-action

upvoting and downvoting... one wouldn`t exist without the other. As hard as it is for some people to wrap their minds around...The Good is no different from The Bad... they are one in the same. We have but to take hold of the scale, and observe the balance.