“Look, there’s only one problem with the “we’re good, they’re evil” routine. They’re playing the same game, too:”

Only it’s not a game. If you think there is any moral equivalence, you’re beyond help.

I suggest you take a look at the opponents of the US over the last century – from the German imperialists to the Nazis and Japanese warlords, the Russian and Chinese communists and now Islamist fundamentalists. Do any of these groups have anything better to offer the people of the world than we do, even with our faults (we must have faults because we are human)? The answer is not just no, it is HELL NO!

The one thing that separates us from animals? Is this up for consideration?

apparently you didn’t take Roger’s recommendation and read this dissection of apologia for terror. Give it a shot. Even you might learn something.

Yes, this is obvious. Again, so what? Do you think this insight is anything but completely trivial?

Now, if in fact a key DIFFERENCE between us and them is that we’re capable of feeling compassion for their dead but they’re incapable of feeling compassion for ours

No, that is not key. Compassion for the dead doesn’t help anyone. The dead are dead. Compassion for the living matters though, and I think we have done well in that. Likewise, we have been careful in this war. Compare, for instance WWII.

I just thought they were amazing photos on that Islamist link. You can really imagine some young kid going to it and getting righteously lathered up.

Those unfortunates didn’t suffer WWI, so lack the proper cynicism towards propaganda. Many such pictures were also published by both sides in the Iran-Iraq war, I remember them posted all over the university walls. A friend of mine who had seen much combat used to critique the wounds thus: “Oh, that’s a good one,” somewhat like a student doctor playing macabre jokes.

I might point out that very little of this sort of propaganda is taking place here. Curiously enough, after discounting all the lurid tales of Nazi atrocities as propaganda, many were surprised at the end of WWII to discover the tales were true. There *is* some point to discovering the truth, uncovering propaganda manipulation, like the published “war” photos from the Russian porn site, and noting the importance of quantity and intent in such things.

chuck: and i’m not trying to impress anyone.

I do think it is important to recognize what we have in common with our enemy, and one thing is the capacity for moral outrage, and the willingness to do something based on that outrage.

Now, if in fact a key DIFFERENCE between us and them is that we’re capable of feeling compassion for their dead but they’re incapable of feeling compassion for ours…well, that’s something that’s also worth knowing, isn’t it. Is such a difference a sign of weakness, or strength? And when Chuck *shrugs*, is this evidence that in his case the distinction is not there?

I just thought they were amazing photos on that Islamist link. You can really imagine some young kid going to it and getting righteously lathered up.

Look, there’s only one problem with the “we’re good, they’re evil” routine. They’re playing the same game, too:

*Shrug*. So what. You’re over fourteen, you can deal with the subtleties. Or maybe not. The Left always reminds me of somewhat stupid teenagers, convinced of their brilliance, who never grew up.

http://www.einswine.com/atrocities/du/

This is all pre-game locker room talk.