Comments on: The Argument From War Crimes (V) http://larison.org/2007/05/01/the-argument-from-war-crimes-v/ n. the principle of good order "Observe the strange inversion of all order and sense! Dignity debased; how vilely is the function of a consul prostituted!" ~The Craftsman Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:59:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: hisownfool http://larison.org/2007/05/01/the-argument-from-war-crimes-v/#comment-6407 Wed, 02 May 2007 21:18:19 +0000 http://larison.org/2007/05/01/the-argument-from-war-crimes-v/#comment-6407 Grumpy Old Man: I loved "Grave of Fireflies" and wrote about it. One of my friends, an especially-rabid Bush/war supporter, wrote me to say that she couldn't sympathize with characters in a movie like this because of what the Japanese did in China. Sigh. She also resents it when I point out that utilitarianism and consequentialism aren't Christian modes of moral reasoning. Like Barnett, she thinks that I'm being self-righteous. Grumpy Old Man:

I loved “Grave of Fireflies” and wrote about it. One of my friends, an especially-rabid Bush/war supporter, wrote me to say that she couldn’t sympathize with characters in a movie like this because of what the Japanese did in China. Sigh. She also resents it when I point out that utilitarianism and consequentialism aren’t Christian modes of moral reasoning. Like Barnett, she thinks that I’m being self-righteous.

]]> by: Grumpy Old Man http://larison.org/2007/05/01/the-argument-from-war-crimes-v/#comment-6389 Wed, 02 May 2007 00:45:54 +0000 http://larison.org/2007/05/01/the-argument-from-war-crimes-v/#comment-6389 Oh, and see <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095327/" rel="nofollow">Hotaru no Haka</a> ("Grave of Fireflies"), an animated film that is one of the most harrowing, and also finest, films ever made. I don't think one could see this film and remain casually accepting of strategic bombing. Oh, and see Hotaru no Haka (”Grave of Fireflies”), an animated film that is one of the most harrowing, and also finest, films ever made.

I don’t think one could see this film and remain casually accepting of strategic bombing.

]]> by: Grumpy Old Man http://larison.org/2007/05/01/the-argument-from-war-crimes-v/#comment-6388 Wed, 02 May 2007 00:43:41 +0000 http://larison.org/2007/05/01/the-argument-from-war-crimes-v/#comment-6388 Dresden was both criminal and ineffective. The latter three emerged from the demand for "unconditional surrender," and from the casually racist propaganda against Japan. Even in a just war, where killing may be justifiable, it's a product of our sinfulness, rather like divorce. Didn't the ancient Church deny communion to soldiers for quite awhile, even if it did not wholly condemn all wars? Dresden was both criminal and ineffective.

The latter three emerged from the demand for “unconditional surrender,” and from the casually racist propaganda against Japan.

Even in a just war, where killing may be justifiable, it’s a product of our sinfulness, rather like divorce. Didn’t the ancient Church deny communion to soldiers for quite awhile, even if it did not wholly condemn all wars?

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