What is War and are we in one?

[Grok]

The United States is not at war with Iraq.  If we ever were, we won that war, when we removed the ruling regime and installed our own puppet democracy.

Europe knows how to war.  When nation-states war, millions of lives are lost on each side.  The United States has lost 2000 lives in Iraq-related conquest and support, not all of them even in battle.  Comparatively, we have executed 1000 of our own civilians since the death penalty was resumed.  Our enemy is only twice as proficient at killing our troops as we are killing our felons.

Given that two or more generations of Americans do not know the loss and sacrifice of real war, myself included among them, how big an impact of this blissful ignorance is had on public debate regarding war policy?

[Thing [vL]]

War is a word used by people/politicians to stir emotional responses.  It can be used to show that a particular faction is serious about an  issue, such as "The War on Drugs".  It can also be downplayed when a hot issue needs to be diluted, such as saying "We are not at war with Iraq".  Opposing political parties will always choose the meaning that best suits their needs and will change that meaning as they see fit.

It is my opinion that most Americans are gullible sheep and allow themselves to be spoon-fed their thoughts via television and politicians.  Because of this, you will most likely get a variety of answers from people depending on what channel they are watching at the time.  My personal opinion is that we are not at war in Iraq, we are not engaged in a "War on Drugs", and the last "war" we engaged in was World War II.  I got my opinion from the Cartoon Network for those of you that feel compelled to ask.   

[Adron]

What happened in Vietnam?

[iago]

There should be a clear difference between war (open conflict between two opposing forces) and a massacre (having 10000x the weapons and technology, marching into a country slaughtering the opposing army).  But I guess the phrase "we massacred Iraq's army" doesn't bring the right emotional response. 

But that's what politicians do, they use words and language that elicits an emotional response in people such that people don't think with their heads, they think with their hearts (in a manner of speaking).  The word "war", much like the phrase "support our troops", pushes those emotions up. 

The major problem is that when somebody is brainwashed by these emotions (and don't think you aren't.. if your mood changes when you hear the word "war" on tv (I know even mine does), you've been brainwashed), they call anybody who speaks against it a traitor.  Machievelli said that one of the most important things for a ruler to do is to suppress free thought and free speech.  The government doesn't even HAVE to do that, because the citizens do it to each other.  It's quite amazing. 

[Arta]

The government doesn't even HAVE to do that, because the citizens do it to each other. It's quite amazing.

I've noticed that too. It's quite depressing.

[WoOdTroll]

Amen, everytime I try to explain that I get called ignorant.

[CrAz3D]

A concerted effort or campaign to combat or put an end to something considered injurious

I'd say we're still in a war against the insurgents from Syria that are attacking people in Iraq

[Adron]

Much as we're at war with CrAz3D...

1 a (1) : a state of usually open and declared armed hostile conflict between states or nations (2) : a period of such armed conflict (3) : STATE OF WAR b : the art or science of warfare c (1) obsolete : weapons and equipment for war (2) archaic : soldiers armed and equipped for war
2 a : a state of hostility, conflict, or antagonism b : a struggle or competition between opposing forces or for a particular end <a class war> <a war against disease> c : VARIANCE, ODDS 3
- war·less  /-l&s/ adjective

[CrAz3D]

Much as we're at war with CrAz3D...

1 a (1) : a state of usually open and declared armed hostile conflict between states or nations (2) : a period of such armed conflict (3) : STATE OF WAR b : the art or science of warfare c (1) obsolete : weapons and equipment for war (2) archaic : soldiers armed and equipped for war
2 a : a state of hostility, conflict, or antagonism b : a struggle or competition between opposing forces or for a particular end <a class war> <a war against disease> c : VARIANCE, ODDS 3
- war·less  /-l&s/ adjective

Word

[Thing [vL]]

What happened in Vietnam?

Vietnam was at war.  The US got into a dick bumping contest with China and sent troops in to show just how meaty our cock was.  Too bad there was no Viagra at the time.  The definition of war is a very subjective one.  No dictionary can define peoples interpretation and use of the word.

./edit speeling

[hismajesty]

So, is this an argument over a definition or over the death penalty?

If it's over a definition: Of course we aren't at war because we're not fighting a "civilized" enemy, it's a bunch of rebels. This is a "conflict" at best. Any war that we had with Iraq was over as soon as the regime fell.

If it's over the death peanlty, stop being a troll and go discuss it in one of the already-open topics on this.

[CrAz3D]

So, is this an argument over a definition or over the death penalty?

If it's over a definition: Of course we aren't at war because we're not fighting a "civilized" enemy, it's a bunch of rebels. This is a "conflict" at best. Any war that we had with Iraq was over as soon as the regime fell.

If it's over the death peanlty, stop being a troll and go discuss it in one of the already-open topics on this.

Death penalty?...has that even been mentioned in this thread?  I think trust needs more sleep

[hismajesty]

So, is this an argument over a definition or over the death penalty?

If it's over a definition: Of course we aren't at war because we're not fighting a "civilized" enemy, it's a bunch of rebels. This is a "conflict" at best. Any war that we had with Iraq was over as soon as the regime fell.

If it's over the death peanlty, stop being a troll and go discuss it in one of the already-open topics on this.

Death penalty?...has that even been mentioned in this thread? I think trust needs more sleep

Or not.

Comparatively, we have executed 1000 of our own civilians since the death penalty was resumed.  Our enemy is only twice as proficient at killing our troops as we are killing our felons.

[CrAz3D]

So, is this an argument over a definition or over the death penalty?

If it's over a definition: Of course we aren't at war because we're not fighting a "civilized" enemy, it's a bunch of rebels. This is a "conflict" at best. Any war that we had with Iraq was over as soon as the regime fell.

If it's over the death peanlty, stop being a troll and go discuss it in one of the already-open topics on this.

Death penalty?...has that even been mentioned in this thread? I think trust needs more sleep

Or not.

Comparatively, we have executed 1000 of our own civilians since the death penalty was resumed.  Our enemy is only twice as proficient at killing our troops as we are killing our felons.

OH yeah....forgot bout that 'ne.  I think that was just a stupid side remark (like my black discrimination thing I just posted in another thread).

[Grok]

This topic about "what is war" was brought up so people who are in the other thread yelling "support our troops" will begin to realize that we are not at war.  The term war is being used so that they can also mind-tweak you guys into agreeing with policy by pleading to you for support of the troops.

After all, we of course support our fellow citizens, our families are over there, to say we don't support them would make us look bad, right?

So the administration MUST equate support of troops with agreement with policy.

When the realization hits you that there is no war, your support for troops might wane, then you would be one step away from disagreeing with poliicy!

And we can't have that, no no no.