Who can stop a war?

QUESTIONS I ASKED IN "THE MUSCATINE CONVERSATION"*
(Sept. 14, 2004)

[We were debating charges against John Kerry by the so-called Swift Boat Vets. Someone had just mentioned William Calley.]

1. Is it possible for any particular war to be wrong in its entirety?

2. If so, who may say so? Who should say so?

3. When is killing human beings "a job" and when is it a "war crime"? Who decides?

4. Can any war characterized by war crimes be a good or just war?

5. How much "war crime" is allowed before an entire war is wrong in its entirety?

6. Does an "indiscretion" in war become a "war crime" before someone condemns it as such?

7. Who may allege a war crime? How and where should the allegation be raised?

8.Is it possible to declare an entire war wrong without making a "blanket"condemnation of all those loyal warriors who obeyed orders and did their jobs in that war?

9. If not, which is worse: not opposing the war or risking the anger of all who equate opposing the war with not supporting the warrior "troops"?

10. Who can stop a war after it has started? Who should stop it?


* THE MUSCATINE CONVERSATION is an unmoderated discussion of topics related to Muscatine, Iowa USA. Info at http://www.topica.com/lists/muscatine/.