What would you ask a panel of experts on the appropriate use of military force?

[Vattel]

I will be involved in a public panel discussion on the appropriate use of military force. What would be a good question to ask the panel? I will pick the best question and identify its source at the event.

[pscot]

1. Where does it end?

[RobertEarl]

29. Or...

At what limit do you see our Empire collapsing due to the rest of the world refusing to go along with our empire. Like Ghandi and the Indians did to the British Empire.

There is a limit, where is that limit and how will we recognize that limitation?

[safeinOhio]

2. What's it worth.

How much will it cost and where will the money come from?

[niyad]

3. I would ask them, "Are YOU willing to fight in any conflict you deem "appropriate"? are YOU willing

to have your nearest and dearest on the front lines as well? If not. . . . (well, I know how I would end that sentence, but you may be far more polite than I am!)"

oh, and I would also ask, "are YOU willing to pay for this out of your own pocket? if not, why should we?"

[Vattel]

5. Well, one of the panelists did four combat tours; so he was willing to fight.

None of the panelists are warmongers, although some are more hawkish than others.

[niyad]

10. so what are the qualifications of the others on "the appropriate use of military force"?

[Vattel]

12. Some are experts on the law of armed conflict (law professors),

one wrote a book about drone warfare, some write on just war theory, one is writing a book defending the use of preventive force.

[niyad]

13. so, are there any real peacemongers on that panel--say, like the christian peacekeepers, a pacifist

or two?

[Vattel]

17. I would say that there are some doves although no pacifists.

[niyad]

19. will be looking forward to hearing your report.

[treestar]

16. Good point. That argument is silly.

If military force is necessary is an issue by itself. That argument says only those who go should have an opinion. While that might be a good way to do it, it's not happening in this country now.

[LWolf]

4. Who are the "experts"

on the appropriate use of military force?

I assume it's a panel of maimed soldiers and family members of those that didn't survive. You know. Those who pay the price for the use of that force.

To be honest, I can't think of a question I'd ask them. I'd TELL them that, since they are experts, they already know that the use of military force is a last resort, and that political maneuvering and dreams of empire should not be driving that use.

If I had to ask them a question, it might be something about the socio- and psychopathic tendencies of those who use violence to solve problems, or about the inappropriate use of military force for capitalistic reasons, or about the devastation to social programs and the quality of life within our borders when our resources are spent on the use of the military beyond basic defense, or about the conflict with labeling something "The Department of Defense" that is really all about offense.

Or I might show them that cartoon somewhere currently on the front page of GD...the one about beheading vs bombing, and ask them to comment.

You probably don't want to take any of my suggestions along.

[Vattel]

7. I like the idea of asking them about whether the resources devoted to wars

that go beyond defense could be better spent on quality of life within our borders.

[woo me with science]

21. I like the one about inappropriate use of force for capitalistic reasons.

It seems to me that that's the elephant in the room that still is absent from so much of the discussion, even taboo, and it's a national disgrace.

Post by Octafish:

Shorrock has done an outstanding job reporting the truth about the war profiteers.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=5578283

[Vattel]

23. good point. i will try to get this elephant noticed

[RKP5637]

6. How does one define and identify exactly whom we are using force against, and

whom one can trust.

[Vattel]

8. good suggestion, thx

[SomethingFishy]

9. One question. "IS THIS THE LAST RESORT"?

Somewhere down the line the military, which was created for the DEFENSE of this nation, has become a "pre-crime" division of warfare. We bomb people because they might do something in the future. We go to places we weren't invited and ignore the ones who ask for our help. I would ask why war is now at the top of the response list instead of the bottom.


Problem is I already know the real answer.

Cash.

[Vattel]

11. I will definitely include a question about preventive wars.

[niyad]

15. that is SUCH a disturbing, sick concept.

[SomethingFishy]

20. Thanks! Please let us know how it went and what you heard...

about all the questions...

[Vattel]

26. I should be able to post a link to a youtube video at some point.

[niyad]

14. not just the "top of the response list", but, seemingly, the ONLY response!

[SomethingFishy]

18. I know.. it's... frightening, how easily we fire off some drones

or drop a few bombs these days. Or invade an entire country!

The media keeps the bodies and collateral damage out of view and war becomes a video game. (No offense to games and gamers as I am one myself)..

[whatchamacallit]

22. Q: Do you regret not doing something more enlightened and constructive with your lives? n/t

[Ohio Joe]

24. I'd probably ask something along the lines of...

Do you think it is appropriate to be giving a panel such as this in light of the fact that we are supposed to have civilian control of the military?

Seems to me, the military should find ways to carry out their orders instead of telling what those orders should be.

[Vattel]

25. Only two of the seven panelists are military, and their opinions are definitely worth hearing.

We wanted a diverse panel and we did a pretty good job getting one.

[peace13]

27. Why do we have war talks...

And not peace talks?

[valerief]

28. What can you do with military force that you can't do with sharing? nt