Content by Charles J
Posted at 11:36am on Aug. 31, 2005 Acceptable Stealing?
By Charles J
The Big News today that almost seems to overshadow the loss of life in Lousisiana and Mississippi is the looting--even by the cops!
Now, I for one think that if people are swiping TV's, computers, jewelry, designer clothes, etc, then that is quite out of the question. Where are they going to store these materials?! However, when it comes to food/drink there is a survival component that is necessary. If you're outside the main disaster area, it would seem really easy to suggest looters be shot on sight. I doubt these people have lost their moral compass--they couldn't pay if they wanted to. Some of the poor are looting stores and have overwhelmed police. But the police have also got in on the action.. and they're not just grabbing food.
Nevertheless, should we judge people if they were taking food/water? Should nonfood looters be shot on sight?
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Posted at 4:27pm on Aug. 30, 2005 What About A Winning Strategy?
By Charles J
As a new member of the RedState.org Community, I wanted to provide a few words to Republican supporters of Bush policy to bring understanding between the Left/Right word War. Here is the concern that many Democrats, Republicans, and Independents have on the Iraq issue.
First, a clear strategy free of "talking points" is needed on the War. Let me explain with a college example. The most successful students who finish school in good time are those who have a laid out plan at the beginning. Students develop a 3-5 year plan demonstrating what classes they will take and when. Every semester the plan is evaluated, and (if necessary) updated. Those students who say "I'll finish when I finish," "Education is important and so no time can be put on it..", etc. tend not to finish for years (and pay way too much money for it).
How is this similar? Well, when I hear someone ask a question about Iraq and the future, all I hear is--and I'm paraphrasing a little:
"Stay the course.."
"We'll finish when the job is done."
"We fight them there, so we won't have to here.."
"We're fighting for freedom."
All these phrase are designed as question dismissals, with no real answer intended. Maybe its because they don't know.
I'm not much of a peacenik--I can't subscribe to the absolute theory of "War is NOT the Answer" --frankly, it depends on the question. Common sense folks understand we cannot just leave without the job being done--right?
So here are a few sincere questions I need help in finding an answer to. Perhaps some of you more experienced RS'ers can help me?
- What exactly are we "staying on course" for in Iraq?
- If it's "freedom," how do we know we've acheived it?
- How will we know "when the job is done"?
- How will we know when the terrorists are defeated? From all of human history, terrorism has never been eradicated completely, and perhaps never will.
I believe the answers to these questions, without using broad-stroke terms like unity, freedom, peace, democracy, etc. will start in helping to develop a clear strategy--something Americans can track and measure, and (if necessary) updated.
Godspeed.