Bulgaroctonus,
Quote:
Astralis,
Your view is one that I have considered. However, I have realized that the Iranians could destroy a target more precious to us than their entire country. That is, if Hezbollah destroyed New York with a nuclear weapon, then it is true that we could destroy Iran (or Hezbollah Lebanon for that matter). However, that doesn't change the fact that the greatest city on earth would be gone. The satisfaction I would get from seeing Iran and Hezbollah destroyed pales compared to the sorrow I would feel at the loss of one of our major cities.
Therein lies the danger of nuclear or biochemical terrorism. A small group of people properly armed can cause inordinate damage. We have seen that with 9/11 already. Even if we caught Osama bin Laden and tortured him and were assured of the death of all Al Qaeda members, that would never replace the Twin Towers. I considered those buildings wonders of the modern world, and they may never be replaced.
For these reasons, I find it hard to rationally predict the effects of terrorism on a large scale. Having never lived through the destruction of one of our cities, we should be hesitant to say that such as loss could be assuaged through the death of the enemy.
|
well, to begin with, i don't think you need to fear NYC going up in nuclear fire- NYC is huge and would require rather more than suitcase nuke.
but i see where you are getting at. i was using a rather extreme example, of course- but the fact still remains, if the terrorists conduct a hit on us, the ONLY effect it will have is to increase national morale. will it hurt our economy? nothing more than in the short-term, as demonstrated by the incredible growth of the US and world economic systems, despite increasing terrorist attacks, a huge spike in the price of oil, and general instability. will it hurt our political system? we have gone through worse, and the constitution has come off no worse for wear.
as for the cities themselves, the worst that will happen is not the destruction of the buildings, nor the monuments, all of which can be rebuilt or replaced. it will be the deaths of innocent americans. sad as that is, though, it does not change the fact that this is a war that we cannot lose.