Thought for the day

April 4, 1999

Alright, we're a few days into the air campaign in Kosovo and I've been thinking about this since before the first bomb was dropped (or launched, as the case may be). Why are we doing this? I mean hey, just because we are the only remaining "superpower" does that mean we have to stop every genocide?

No, we can stand by and allow thousands or tens-of-thousands of people to be slaughtered for no good reason. It's not our problem is it? Or is it?

We no longer have to worry about the Russians and their nukes. So why not? What good is our "big stick" if we don't whack a despot or two when we get the urge? Look, we've been spending bazillions of dollars developing all these awesome weapons, I think it's important to test them under real combat conditions.

What if the conflict escalates and we are forced to commit ground troops to fight or just to rescue captured soldiers and airmen? Well, if you think our missiles are wicked, wait until you see our Marines and other warriors! Jeez, these men (and women) train for years for the chance to step up and fight. A mass-murdering dictator like Milosovich is just the ticket.

Should I feel guilty that people (some of them innocent) might die as a result of our intervention to prevent genocide half a world away? ABSOLUTELY NOT. We have a moral obligation to act for the greater good. Had the world acted more swiftly against Germany and Japan in the late 1930's, millions of lives would have been saved. Never turn your back on a tyrant, not even a little one with a funny name.