General Discussion

JoeyT

(6,785 posts)

34. Chemical weapons vs. Incendiary weapons

Wed Aug 28, 2013, 08:26 PM

Aug 2013

would be one of the most gruesome slideshows ever conceived. I don't think it would be possible to pick out which was more horrible with any degree of certainty, but it certainly doesn't come much worse than burns.

Incendiary weapons are also illegal to use on civilians, but we've done it, and the people in charge are still walking around free.

Our moral high ground is below sea level.

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I do believe I agree with Markos Moulitsas on a rather controversial assertion. [View all] backscatter712 Aug 2013 OP

I agree too alarimer Aug 2013 #1

But gas makes it easier to inflict wholesale death MannyGoldstein Aug 2013 #2

I agree that in an ideal world, chemical weapons would be out of line. backscatter712 Aug 2013 #6

WWI had mustard gas, and the laws were written because it was the first mass killings they'd seen. magical thyme Aug 2013 #8

And we've effectively sheathed nukes as well. MannyGoldstein Aug 2013 #11

well banning, like charity, begins at home. we could start by destroying enough of our nukes so that magical thyme Aug 2013 #16

easier versus what? elehhhhna Aug 2013 #12

So we should start using nukes again? MannyGoldstein Aug 2013 #15

Btw, IIRC "we" are the only country to have used them. elehhhhna Aug 2013 #19

They aren't great weapons. The outrage contains hypocrisy. DirkGently Aug 2013 #23

Chemical weapons vs. Incendiary weapons JoeyT Aug 2013 #34

The problem with chemicals Warpy Aug 2013 #3

And they are relatively easy to turn over to terrorists BlueStreak Aug 2013 #10

They aren't any different, but they didn't exist back in WWI. The red line was drawn at magical thyme Aug 2013 #20

I agree with you. BlueStreak Aug 2013 #32

that is my point. there is no difference. magical thyme Aug 2013 #39

the neocons and the administration didn't "suddenly" make this distinction Enrique Aug 2013 #4

Let's simplify by making the making of war a war crime. elehhhhna Aug 2013 #14

any first strike should be the war crime. magical thyme Aug 2013 #21

What a concept. War is a war crime. BlueStreak Aug 2013 #33

There has been a defacto elimination of the concept of war crimes Fumesucker Aug 2013 #22

Chemical weapons are banned for good reasons quinnox Aug 2013 #5

I agree with your second point. backscatter712 Aug 2013 #7

I agree, this would be a dumb move to get involved. Obama maybe stuck his foot in his mouth when he quinnox Aug 2013 #13

the idea of Chemical attacks being viewed this way is nothing new, it was the case long before OBama JI7 Aug 2013 #9

And when a child is killed by chemicals instead of a bullet through the head... joeybee12 Aug 2013 #17

How many Iraqis did his own government kill? malaise Aug 2013 #18

I think there is an honorable death notion in a battle to go down Cleita Aug 2013 #24

I thought Kerry's disappointment ... GeorgeGist Aug 2013 #25

Kos is a barbaric nitwit. MADem Aug 2013 #26

not humane cvoogt Aug 2013 #28

I agree with you that they are not humane. MADem Aug 2013 #43

But that is not the scenario cvoogt Aug 2013 #45

Well, I don't like killing. I don't. We live in a world where it happens, though. MADem Aug 2013 #47

You know I do agree with you cvoogt Aug 2013 #48

I believe Richard Engel's account with regard to this terrible event. MADem Aug 2013 #49

Thank you cvoogt Aug 2013 #51

Right... whatchamacallit Aug 2013 #30

You beat me to it. GoCubsGo Aug 2013 #38

More than die immediately from the painful, gruesome, grisly effects of sarin poisoning. MADem Aug 2013 #42

When you get right down to it . . . MrModerate Aug 2013 #27

Well then the US should use them more often, less damage to infrastructure and such The Straight Story Aug 2013 #29

Israel takes gas personally. Spitfire of ATJ Aug 2013 #31

I think banning chemical weapons is a good start. tinrobot Aug 2013 #35

hear hear cvoogt Aug 2013 #46

Thanks..that's good to hear from Marcos...but, DUH..others KoKo Aug 2013 #36

The first thing we would do, throw the oldest ones in the well Link Speed Aug 2013 #37

Problem with your theory jeff47 Aug 2013 #40

Joining in on the killing is the real travisty. Enthusiast Aug 2013 #41

They now seem to be one and the same. n/t Cleita Aug 2013 #44

Is beating someone to death because they are gay more heinous that just beating someone to death? KittyWampus Aug 2013 #50

agreed jollyreaper2112 Aug 2013 #52