In Reply to: Thomas Jefferson said... posted by Alan on September 24, 2003 at 02:39:47:
Alan, since you're into doing a little research, I wonder if you could tell us what Thomas Jefferson might have to say about "pre-emptive war"...i.e., the doctrine that if the U.S. determines another nation poses a terrorist threat to our security, we can attack and invade as though we had been attacked already.
We used this doctrine as a rationale for invading Iraq, on the basis that Sadam's support for terrorist movements in Israel was directly connected to the Islamic terrorism of 9/11. However, just recently our President has stated that there is no link between Sadam Hussein's terrorist support for groups like Hamas and Al Queda, our known enemy.
The doctrine of "pre-emptive strike" contradicts the doctrine of a "just war," which states that invasion of another nation is justified in the course of defending ourselves again the attacks of that other nation. I supported the invasion of Afghanistan for this reason...although that country did not directly strike us on 9/11, they aided and supported those who did. However, as our own President now openly admits, there is no evidence that Iraq aided and supported those who attacked us on 9/11.
I'm not really interested in arguing about whether we should be fighting a war in Iraq, btw. We're there now, so we need to deal with taking responsibility for our actions. I just want to know where Jefferson stood on the doctrine of just war...and perhaps, debate a bit on the doctrine of pre-emptive warfare.