is it preposterous to suggest that waging a war is morally correct but that acts of genocide within that war are repugnant?
What is the object of a war other than to impose and destroy all objections to that imposition?

Fascinating question, Esmeralda.

We are a communal animal, by nature, and as such we have a certain glue which holds us together as a society, and that is called “morality.” Morality differs from society to society, and so, I guess morality is whatever said society agrees it is. The agreement is tacit, as it has undoubtedly sprung from thousands of years of living together. However, when one societies morality differs with an other, in a diametric way, then we have conditions which can breed war.

Our “Western” world seems to believe that war is fine, so long as it is done within certain parameters, with certain rules. These rules seem to be born out of our own “morality;” which again, is unique to our society. Yet, these closely held principles fall by the wayside when we are faced with an enemy who refuses to play by our rules. So, we have two factions, two sets of rules (morality)…let the fighting commence.

OK, so is all really fair in love and war? No, because if we flaunt our own principles then we rock the foundation of our society, and in a practical sense change our society. This change alters us as people, and then demotes us to a state of anarchy. There will always be grey area in any moral code, and there must be, but a societies moral code is the only thing that maintains some kind of humanity. Therefore, we must hold other societies, with other moral codes, to our own standing; that we might preserve the fabric of our own.

Karadzic has breached not only the West’s moral code, but his own societies moral code, as well. Therefore, in order to maintain the status-quo, that being communities living together in relative agreement, Karadzic must pay for stepping out of bounds. He must face the Hague’s version of STD; and the consequences meted out should be aligned with just how far he has breached the societal contract. In other words…hang the b astard; or at least put him away for good.

Of course, as you well know Esmie, this question would need a library of books to even scratch the surface, but I did my humble best on a sleepy Friday morning.:)

Stephen1

What the H-E-double hockey sticks is the world coming to, indeed: when even the ravings of an loon are cliché? It is intolerable enough that we must watch the same story lines over and over in the movies, but to now have the addle-headed ranting predictably is too much. Is there nothing we can rely on, anymore? “The world is ending?” “We are all doomed?” “The government is being taken over by Fascists?” Christ, that is weak stuff. Even in my most complacent cogitation, suffering from Ebola virus, I could come up with better material than that. I’m afraid I must demote your rantings from the pathetic category, to the p iss-poor. I am trembling with disappointment.

Stephen1

I’ve learned…. That I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her one more time before she passed away.

This one caught in my throat.

Thank you for sharing that.

Stephen1

@abitofmary_j wrote:

i pretty much achieved and been lucky to have various oppertunities in my life, and followed my dreams… still to do its to travel the whole of Australia with my family, and also mirgrate there…. ohhh and to be able to walk unaided also…!!! i’ll never take wee things for granted again either, and appreciate everything ive got, to make sure my kids are forthmost happy and achieve their dreams and goals, as NO is not a word in our lives anymore, its well anything is possible if you can make it happen…

Beautiful sentiments, Mary.

When I was younger, I should have made a list of “100 Things NOT to do Before You Die.” Would have saved me a bit of trouble. Definitely wouldn’t have taken a swig of that Aqua Velva just because I was high and it was being passed around.:shock:

While I think we all get the idea of doing a few exciting things before we kick the bucket, it has been my experience that the very best things just happen. They are more a by-product of being open to one’s life. Things like making love outside, because you are with someone you love, and it seems right to be sharing that kind of intimacy at that moment. You can’t plan for that, but what an affirmation of oneself it can be. Walking around in your yard on an early morning, your pajamas still on, with your bare feet feeling enlivened by the wet dew…it is like a visitation from life itself. It’s like “Yeah, that’s what the earth feels like.”

Really, a list of things one should do before dying is rather contrived. The things on that list become like chores that have to be ticked off.

-Go on a balloon ride…check.

-Jump out of a plane…check.

-walk across a pond on the backs of alligators…check.

It’s really making a “to-do” out of a to do list; and in so doing we may miss out a more meaningful journey.

Stephen1

http://www.torontosun.com/News/World/2008/08/26/6577236.html

“Thing 49,” to do before I die? Hmm. Think, think, think.

Bungee jumping; done that.

Play with my poo…check.

Have sex with a sheep. That was kind of nice in a weird way.

Gosh, but what to do for good old forty-nine?

Eureka! :idea: I’ll fall down and hit my head as hard as I can. :twisted:

Yes, I am new here, but I assure you I am not affiliated with NOLAF. :^o

Lovely lady:

ermmmmmmm when was your last rumpy-pumpy ?????

I never heard the expression rumpy-pumpy, and it made me laugh out loud. I always used to use boinking, but I like rumpy-pumpy better. :P Wait, it doesn’t mean pumping the rump, does it? :shock:

All questions of this teacher aside, I think it is more an indictment of the education system, then of one bigoted teacher. The entire system is antiquated; a throw-back to when most people worked in factories. School is a glorified baby-sitting service, a warehouse where we plop down our children for a goodly portion of their young lives. It lacks vitality and verve. School takes young, pliable, energetic, curious minds and dulls them. Kids become oppressed by the deadly atmosphere in schools, and hence, then become open to the likes of all kinds of skewed beliefs. Nature hates a vacuum, and so, in the vacuous environs of a school, the eager minds of our beautiful children become easily impressed with the views of the intolerant.

If “thinking” were the hallmark of education, instead of time-weary repetition, then our children might actually stand a chance of rebuffing the more sinister influences that they might face in their lives.

Do I think this man should be in a class room surfing the net? Hell no, not anymore than I would like Mr. Glitter being in the class room. But, for every person whose true colours are revealed there are many more who ply their bullshyt unnoticed. It is for this reason that we must arm our children with more than just an out-of-date learning system, and take an active interest in them as people. If we see our children for the miracles they are, the emphasis of that alone would foster a more balanced, useful, and spiritually enlivening education then any school room ever would; no matter how well-intended.

In case you might wonder, I am not casting aspersions toward teachers, only the system. There are many fine teachers, mentors even, who do make a difference. However, in the face of the intransigent model we have become used to as “learning,” their task is daunting one, and mostly a losing affair.

Cheers,
Stephen1

@pete wrote:

that would be scared cows

LOL

I didnt like Catherine Jenkins singing mesen dorma, I think its a man’s song. I dont think it suits a female voice, and I didnt get the hairs standing up on the back of my neck like I should.

Dissapointed with that.

It is most definitely a man’s aria, as it is written to be so in the opera. I agree with your assessment of her singing, as well.

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