Text 17379, 59 rader
Skriven 2011-04-23 12:07:14 av Lee Lofaso (1:323/120.0)
     Kommentar till en text av Wayne Chirnside
Ärende: Re: Taxes (was: Aust  2/3
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>>> Continued from previous message

What does this tell us about who we are to protect in Libya,
or anyplace else?  Maybe the better question would be -

What is the difference between a civilian and a rebel?

In "Starship Troopers", the military had full rights of citizenship
while non-members (civilians) did not.  This is apparently the
definition the U.N., NATO, and U.S. President Barack Obama use in
reference to the mission in Libya.

However, if one goes by the definition as given by the International
Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), then it becomes clear that the UN,
NATO, and US are all in violation of international law, with the
Libyan dictator being the only player who is not being dirty -

"If civilians directly engage in hostilities, they are considered
`unlawful' or `underprivileged' combatants or belligerents.  They
may be prosecuted under the domestic law of the detaining state
for such action."

There's more -

"Definition of civilians and civilian population" indicates who
is a civilian and not a legal combatant.  "In case of doubt whether
a person is a civilian, that person shall be considered to be a
civilian."

[1977 Protocol I Additional to the Geneva Conventions]

Continuing, Article 51 describes protection that must be given
to civilians.  In particular, Chapter III of Protocol I regulates
the targeting of civilian objects.

Interesting stuff.  But no clear definitions anywhere to be found.

So.  A civilian is a civilian.  Even if a civilian is armed with
an AK-47 and pointing that rifle straight at real army soldiers.
Students at Kent State tried to do that in the USA.  The students
lost.

1998 Rome Statute of the ICC includes a list of war crimes -
"Intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population
as much or against individual civilians not taking part in
hostilities."

Gosh.  Kent State students burned down the ROTC building
and that is not supposed to be considered as being a hostile
act?  Come on.  Get real.  Those kids deserved to die.

"LBJ LBJ How Many Kids Did You Kill Today?"

Oops.  Wrong prez...

>>> Continued to next message
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