patrick.net

I guess it's a moot point now, b/c the Donald has realized that he was wrong and reversed course once again. This time he realized that he really shouldn't break international laws and kill innocent people, even if he wants to.

It's clear that he's just throwing things out there to see how they play and then deciding how to proceed based on the reactions he gets.

YesYNot says

1) I'd rather follow our own code of conduct than the ISIS code.

Glad to hear it - except it doesn't mean anything in regards to solving the problem. Drone Attacks inevitably kill innocents. US Apologies will be filtered via Arab media and Wahabi/Salafyi "Stop West-toxification" Imams and VIPs.

YesYNot says

2) We need to convince a variety of people from other western countries to moderate Muslims that we are the good guys. We need to act that way.

Been doing that for 15 years. Heraclitus is right, war is hell. Bullshit about just wars and Gentleman's codes of honor is all nice and shit, but it doesn stop precision bombs from hiding the exact target in the center of town. Then the masonry from the explosion flies hundreds of feet in every direction and kills and maims a dozen children nearby.

"But we only meant to kill General Jackass in his office, not babies."
"But you did kill babies, and Liberal Childkilling Interventionist regret cannot resurrect them. Oh, and the Al-McClusky clan has vowed revenge."

"B-but, we didn't mean to. And we don't condone torture."
"One of those kids lingered 3 days before she died the most painful death a toddler ever endured."

Have you forgotten the 30 minute AC-130 105mm shelling of the MSF hospital just months ago?

YesYNot says

I recommend not having the Donald kill your mother, but until further notice, I am going to assume his intentions would have an impact on how you would feel about it.

In half the scenarios you mentioned, his intentions were relatively good but it wouldn't change the way I would feel about it.