General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: No. I've seen the recent videos. Sarin gas attacks on civilians. It needs a response. [View all]bhikkhu
(10,715 posts)in that we identify with the victims and our hearts cry for justice.
In practice, that has led directly to long and disastrous wars. Yesterday's dead call out for revenge and retribution and we feel bound to answer the call. The problem is that there are always dead on both sides, both sides feel the same call, and over time consciences erode and devolve, wars become more brutal as they go, blood chases blood with increasing lust...
That is where you wind up, if that was how you started.
I haven't watched any videos, and have only seen the pictures of the boy that was tortured and killed, his genital burned off and so forth. That picture was one of the sparks of the rebellion in the first place...I support disabling Assad's weaponry, if we can, but I don't support anything beyond that. A quick end to the war there doesn't look likely, and I don't see any benefit to anybody here to get emotionally bound up in "the chase".