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Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Rusty Shackleford :: Townhall.com Columnist
Carrots and Sticks
by Rusty Shackleford
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Since the Geneva Conventions do not apply to terrorists, I don't see what all the fuss is about. Seriously. In fact, by treating terrorists humanely we undermine the Geneva Conventions.

The idea behind the Conventions is that if you agree to abide by their rules, your captured combatants will be treated humanely. Human treatment is an inducement to follow the rules of war.

That is called a carrot.

But there is also a negative inducement. If you do not agree to abide by their rules, your captured combatants will not be treated humanely. At least, there is no legal guarantee that they will. The prospect that you will have no legal protections against pain and suffering if you get captured is an inducement to follow the rules of war.

That is called a stick.

So, by giving terrorists the same protections as those offered under the Geneva Conventions aren't we, in fact, undermining those same Conventions? All carrot and no stick if you will?

Worse than that, it is no carrot and no stick. An inducement, by definition, only works when there is an if/then relationship. If you do this, then you get that.

If you follow the Geneva Conventions, then you will receive their protections.

What the Democrats and some Republicans are offering to terrorists is no inducement at all to follow the rules of war.

They are, in fact, creating an entitlement for terrorists. Continued...
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(19 comments so Far)
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Reply # 1
Date: Sep 21, 2006 - 9:14 PM EST
Pistol
You are probably right about us being hit again, possibly harder than 9/11. I don't know whether even that will change anything with the brianwashed left. I read the posts here by these people, and from the things they say they truly hate America more than they hate the jihadists.


As far as torture is concerned, this entire discussion has been dishonest. Of course the Geneva Conventions do not cover any of the terrorists. That this misrepresentation of fact is perpetrated by American politicians is really scary.


Why are Republican politicians, not only RINOs either, not stating clearly on the floor of Congress that jihadists are not protected under the Geneva Conventions?


Your suggestion, that we shoot these critters, makes sense. Probably too much sense for leftists and Democrat politicians. Muslims understand power. It is just that simple. We have allowed the leftists in this country to prevent America from using the power it has.


I'll say it again. The lefties are a much greater threat to this nation than any jihadist.

Anyway, it sure would be good for the country if the powers that be would implement the policy you suggest.

Stay well.
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Reply # 2
Date: Sep 21, 2006 - 8:42 PM EST
Carrots and Sticks
Right on, Buck!

Naturally enough the bleeding heart liberals will choke on their morning cornflakes when reading you suggestion. How BARBARIC, how UNCIVILISED! Unlike severing peoples' heads on camera?
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