when should united states use the force

[thebigmansentme]

there was a thread before that posed a question whether there would be less terrorism if we followed libertarian foreign policy and never meddled in other countries affairs period.

[thebigmansentme]

1. let

the force flow through you

[James T. Kirk]

2. A list of times force was used.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_history_of_the_United_States

[Redhead488]

3. I guess all those who voted "Never..."

are in favor of our pulling out of NATO then, right?

[daveskilt]

4. Im ok with a few of those...BUT

sure hit those who support terror. not those that we pretend are supporting terror. hit the saudi's - thats fine. hit saddam back when he was gassing the kurds - good idea.

another issue I have is the fine line between ocupying/colonising/empire building and a justifiable good use of force to prevent loss of innocent lives. For that to work out we need a president with self control, a long term strategic view and and ability to plan effectively and anticipate multiple outcomes...good thing we have president bush to ma....oh - we are fucked aren't we?

[Killarney]

5. Two reasons

1) if the United States is attacked
2) if an ally is attacked. For example, if someone attacked Canada, I would support the US helping Canada.

[James T. Kirk]

6. I'm surprised by the number of "never, unless" responses.

I'm surprised by the large number of "never, unless United States is actually attacked" responses. That means that we'd try to hunt down Pancho Villa, but not fight in World War I or the Korean War. Not what I expected.

[Baltimoreboy]

7. Well Captain

It would be logical to claim that the U.S. only attacks in self defense. It's not always an easy rationalization, but it can be accomplished in many cases. The Lusitania and the Maine and the Gulf of Tonkin are examples.

[troublemaker]

8. To fight Darth Vader! (you may want to fix the thread title while you can)

[Bombtrack]

9. THe first "all of the above". The Yellow one

[stavka]

10. how about "When It's Right to Do So."?

that is pretty much my position on the issue.

[Mz Pip]

11. I have 3

If we are attacked.
If an ally is attacked and diplomacy has failed.
To prevent genocide.

I just don't see how we can never be involved.

MzPip
:dem:

[The Animator]

12. In additon to the US being attacked...

... I beleive that the US would be justified sending troops to any location the UN deems to be a threat.

If the global community sees a problem and asks for our help for the benifit of the world as a whole, I don't see how we could afford to turn them down.

For the most part I see the UN as a benevolent organization who's purpose is to advocate human rights and fair treatment for all nations.

The world as it should be is basically like a night club. The UN is the Manager, with Mexico and Russia tending bar. The World club doesn't have a full time bouncer, managment likes to trust his patrons to keep the peace. If a fight breaks out because one country is dancing with another country's girlfriend, or if Ireland has had too much to drink, the manager comes in to try an smooth things over, cause there both valued customers and he doesn't want his place wrecked. If things get to far out of hand the UN looks over his shoulder at us an says "ya know I could use a hand over here!"

Because we're the biggest dude in club, we end up being the volunteer bouncer. We would normally be content to chill at the bar and hit on Brazil, but since we don't want the bar to disend into a larger brawl or worse still, a riot, we step in to "enforce" peace. Since we're easily four times the size of either one of them, their desire to continue fighting usually fades rather quickly. However every once in a while one of them is drunk enought to try and take a swing at us. That's when the UN gives us a nod, and we proceed to kick the crazy bastard out of the World. The generally easy going crowd is releived and you get a "My Hero" from Paris as you return to your place at the bar, Canada was just keeping your seat warm, he gets up pretty fast. Being the Biggest dude in Club World isn't always fun. You don't like to fight, but all the other bar patrons would have a tougher time of it trying to handle things on there own. Not all of them like you, but at least they respect you, that's a perk I guess.

And let's face it, it's alot harder to talk Brazil and Paris into a two on one when your surrounded by a Club full of people beating the crap out of each other.