One of the greatest thoughts ever uttered, regardless of who you give credit for it's authorship, is "those who fail to learn the lessons of history, are doomed to repeat it's mistakes." Muslims have been trying to force-feed their "religion" on the entire world forever. We should deal with them and be done with it. I think maybe a new crusade is needed, but this time finish the job.

>>I think once we are attacked, there should be no rules. The "rules of war" is a joke. The VC didn't have any rules, nor the Japanese, nor Germans in WWII, etc. If we are at war, I say we should do whatever it takes to win. The rules are - there ain't no stinkin rules! - Throw Down!
>
>Absolutely. Use anything and everything at our disposal to win a fight.
>
>We tried to win 'hearts and minds' and international support in Vietnam, and we lost because the VC fought with everything they had and instilled FEAR in their enemies.
>
>The areas where Al Queda and Taliban are in control are where they fight with everything they have and instill FEAR in their enemies and in the people they subjugate.
>
>We fight our way in, carefully trying to pick out bad guys and not hurt 'civilians', and then hand out money, food, and medicine. That is nice, but the people are AFRAID of the bad guys who will kill them. Fear of death makes people very cooperative.
>
>War is not pretty.
>
>By the way, the bad guys do not fight for a recognized government and they do not fight in uniform. At best they only need to be treated as spies and shot. I'm all for closing Gitmo if we shoot all the prisoners and get it over with.
>
>>
>>I know, I know, that's just my kinder-gentler self oozing through....