There seems to be a lot of talk recently that the U.S. is going to invade Iran. There is even talk the U.S. may use nuclear weapons. This talk SHOULD be completely ridiculous, but sadly in today's political climate it is not. We need to have guidelines to tell us when war should be an option and when it is not.
So why don't we make some. Why don't we say exactly when war is an allowable choice and when it is not. And why don't we make clear that it will not be acceptable to go to war outside of those terms. Below the jump are my suggestions for what such terms should be. If anybody has better ideas for when we should attack foreign nations, or what we should pledge to do if this occurs outside of these guidelines, please do comment. They should be something that will not paralyze our nations ability to defend ourselves, yet prevent wars of aggression George Bush or any other president may declare.
If 10 million people could promise to shut down this country in the event of an immoral attack on a foreign nation, this would hopefully prevent our leaders from taking such immoral actions.
For a nuclear attack:
1) A nuclear attack on an American city or military forces by a foreign government shall be sufficient reason for a nuclear attack on that government.
2) There shall be NO OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES in which the use of nuclear weapons by the US government shall be acceptable.
For a conventional attack:
1) Any nuclear attack by a nation on any human target shall be sufficient reason for a conventional attack.
2) Any significant, direct attack on an American city or military forces, or on those of its allies, shall be sufficient reason for a conventional attack.
3) Any massive humanitarian disaster caused directly by a foreign government shall be sufficient reason for a conventional attack.
4) Any declaration of war by a foreign government on the United States shall be a sufficient reason for a conventional attack.
5) Any other aggressive, extenuating circumstances shall require the agreement at least four-fifths of the duly elected members of each house of Congress to be a sufficient reason for a conventional attack.
If the United States attacks a foreign government with nuclear weapons outside of in retaliation for a direct attack, we promise to use any means of protest necessary, violent or non-violent, until all of those responsible for such attacks, directly or indirectly, resign from power and are turned over to the custody of the United Nations.
If the United States attacks a foreign government by conventional means outside of those criteria listed above, we promise to use any means of non-violent protest necessary until all of those responsible for such attacks resign from power.