S&S, great to see you as well. Good question about where these conflicts come from since they aren’t “religion based” so to speak. I think often people hide behind a religious mask. We may think they are “good Christians” or “good Muslims,” and, hopefully, they are, but the Bible has an answer that satisfies me.

James 4 — 1What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.

Even though you may think I’m a “good Christian,” believe me, I have desires that battle within me because that sinful self wants its way rather than God’s way! Trust me. So maybe they are letting their selfish desires take control instead of listening to and obeying God.

Great idea about the big bonfire….ha! I wish! I agree with what you wrote about not striking North Korea first because generally it’s the innocent civilians who bear the brunt of those types of attacks.

Thank you for chiming in. Always a pleasure to hear your point of view.

Coffee Bean, thanks for getting in touch with me. I’m enjoying your post on Palestine among others.

You left a comment on my blog back in April. I e-mailed back that I was going to respond in another post on my blog and then did not do so until now. I cannot find anywhere on here how I can e-mail you personally so I am trying to contact you through this comment.

Please come to my blog or e-mail me at coffeebeankel@earthlink.net

Thank you,
Coffee Bean

Btw, Mythos, I don’t agree with the strike first policy in regards to North Korea either. Because even though I don’t agree with Kim Jong-il’s policies and, actually, the usage of nuclear weapons AT ALL, I don’t think it’s fair to wage war on a country only because its dictator happens to be a world-class idiot and overall maniac. Isn’t that what happened in Iraq? Afghanistan? Vietnam? And the list goes on. The people who end up paying the price are the civilians, rarely ever the leaders. And the price is just too high!

I’m sure there are other ways to solve the situation, if America does feel threatened by North Korea’s WMDs. Maybe they could all – America included – renounce them? Hold a big bonfire during which each country (figuratively, of course) burns all nuclear warheads and the world can exist as a safe and sound place.

Call me idealistic, but that sounds like a good to me…

Samer, thank you for your insight and view of the situation. I admit, you made a lot of sense concerning North Korea, and I agree with you up to a point. Whether Kim Jong is nutty enough to directly attack another country is debatable….but I think diplomacy’s time has passed where North Korea is concerned.

There are always consequences for our actions, including many civilians being killed, and I acknowledge that. You are absolutely correct to point that out.

However Samer, let us not forget that their are also consequences for our inactions (such as innocent civilians being killed by their own people) as well.

Kim Jong is nothing more than a pompous ass in my opinion and he needs to be removed. Whether the North Koreans do that themselves, or a country takes him out in an all out attack, or we simply send a couple of snipers for him, either way he must go.

Leaving someone like him in power and/or taking them out by force will both result in casualties either way. So, in light of that, the sooner you take him out, the possibility of fewer victims dying at his hands in increased.

Admittedly, the situation is not good no matter what path we choose to pursue. There really is no right answer.

~ Mythos

Btw, when are you going to write again? I have an article you might like to read.

http://snuffysmithsblog.blogspot.com/
2009/04/walking-out-on-ahmadinejad-was-just.html

Samer, thank you for what you brought up. It’s great getting the perspective of one who is not American yet has experienced American involvement. You bring up things I would never think about.

Thank you both very much.

Mythos, your comment is very interesting but I respectfully disagree with you concerning North Korea. NK’s dictator is a very evil and mad man but he is not foolish enough to attack other countries because he knows very well that would mean his end. These dictators do not believe in any ideology and they are not ready to sacrifice themselves for anything. They are not suicidal like al-Qaeda terrorists. They just love their thrones very much and they would never be ready to put them in Danger.

Saddam was also like that. When he invaded Kuwait, he did not expect the Americans would be ready to fight him for that because surprisingly they gave him weapons to support him in his war against Iran although he was the one who started the invasion and started the whole war.

Of course, I wish the North Koreans would be free one day from their dictator but it is not our job to remove him. I know that any war to remove their dictator would mean the killing of many many innocents just like what happened in Iraq. We are not in place to decide to sacrifice many Iraqis or North Koreans to free their countries from oppressive regimes. They are the ones who should decide to sacrifice themselves for freedom. Not others!

Thanks for the comment!

Although I agree with the Love Your Neighbors philosophy promoted by Christ, I also believe in self-preservation…..and not just for America, but all people who wish to be free.

I think the countries of the world who have chosen to embrace freedom should indeed strike first when it comes to countries such as North Korea. Small time (and usually insane) dictators should not be allowed to threaten other nations, suppress-murder-and torture their own people, etc.

The way I see it, your freedom ends at the tip of my nose, and by crossing that line willingly, you not only show disrespect but you accept any and all consequences of your actions.

So with that in mind, if North Korea’s “little dictator” wishes to threaten the U.S., or anyone else, with his missile(s) then he, in my opinion, acknowledges and willingly accepts all retaliatory actions against him. Including a first strike response against his country.

There are however circumstances and countries where I do not believe this approach will work, such as Iran, and thus should not be “left on the table” as it were.

George Bush continually tried to lump Iran together with countries such as North Korea and it just didn’t work for me. Iran is a great country with a great history and they have every right to defend themselves against any and all of their enemies. I believe Iran has the right to nuclear power and to weapons to protect itself.

That being said, if Iran chooses to adopt the language and posture of North Korea then I am all for a “first strike” policy against them. However, I do not believe that Iran is a threat to anyone who is willing to show common courtesy and respect to them nor do I believe the leaders of Iran can, in any way, be compared to the delusional nut leading North Korea.

I could go on but I’m pressed for time at the moment and I’m sure I’ve taken up enough room on your page already! lol.

Anyway, great article Susanne…..hope to talk to you again soon.

~ Mythos
http://mindofmythos.wordpress.com/