> There is certainly a lot to criticize about this particular boondoggle
The Iraq War was not a boondoggle. Or, rather, it was a boondoggle, but that’s not the main problem with it. The main problem with it was it was a blatantly unprovoked war of aggression, covered with what were often utterly transparently, immediately not only debunked but with receipts to show that it was impossible for the people telling them to have believed them, lies.
(The secondary problem with it is also not that it was a massive boondoggle, but rather than this completely unnecessary unprovoked war of aggression – a crime, I might note, that we hung people for at Nuremberg – was also that it was launched in the middle of and taking focus from another war, which whatever other faults it might have had, was at least reasonably arguably a defensive war targeting a force that had launched attacks on the US and those actively protecting them – by pushing that war into a holding pattern it intensified and extended chaos and suffering which could have been much shortened, and guaranteed that, if any decent end to the other war had otherwise been possible, that opportunity was pissed away.)
Sure, the best way to counter these Sino/Russo efforts is by censoring information that is actually true. That must add confidence and trust to the system right?
I am against censorship, the subject itself is perfectly worthy. These particular efforts effectively mix true(ish) information with untrue information meant to inflame tensions and divisions and demoralize people.
Feeding the trolls does not increase confidence and trust in anything. When threads don't go off the rails like that, criticize away, no objections.
I think it's really demoralizing to people who cherish free speech and the sharing of knowledge to see these inflammatory insinuations. Suggesting a moderator act to censor discussion in an attempt to limit the spread of the work of Iraqi scholars at rigorous and highly respected universities who are both in their area of expertise and speaking about their homeland does not have a charitable interpretation that I could find.
Given that you've been posting here for a decade and know or should know all the guidelines your comment is violating, I think there's a good case to be made that the community would benefit from an enforced break from your posting so that you can reflect on them.
Per the guidelines:
>Please don't complain that a submission is inappropriate.
>Please don't use Hacker News for political or ideological battle. That tramples curiosity
>Please don't post insinuations about astroturfing, shilling, bots, brigading, foreign agents and the like. It degrades discussion and is usually mistaken.
>Eschew flamebait. Avoid generic tangents.
>Please don't post shallow dismissals
I would have simply flagged your comment if I had sufficient karma to do so.
dragonwriter|3 years ago
The Iraq War was not a boondoggle. Or, rather, it was a boondoggle, but that’s not the main problem with it. The main problem with it was it was a blatantly unprovoked war of aggression, covered with what were often utterly transparently, immediately not only debunked but with receipts to show that it was impossible for the people telling them to have believed them, lies.
(The secondary problem with it is also not that it was a massive boondoggle, but rather than this completely unnecessary unprovoked war of aggression – a crime, I might note, that we hung people for at Nuremberg – was also that it was launched in the middle of and taking focus from another war, which whatever other faults it might have had, was at least reasonably arguably a defensive war targeting a force that had launched attacks on the US and those actively protecting them – by pushing that war into a holding pattern it intensified and extended chaos and suffering which could have been much shortened, and guaranteed that, if any decent end to the other war had otherwise been possible, that opportunity was pissed away.)
csomar|3 years ago
the_only_law|3 years ago
recuter|3 years ago
Feeding the trolls does not increase confidence and trust in anything. When threads don't go off the rails like that, criticize away, no objections.
nurgasemetey|3 years ago
racketcon2089|3 years ago
Given that you've been posting here for a decade and know or should know all the guidelines your comment is violating, I think there's a good case to be made that the community would benefit from an enforced break from your posting so that you can reflect on them.
Per the guidelines:
>Please don't complain that a submission is inappropriate.
>Please don't use Hacker News for political or ideological battle. That tramples curiosity
>Please don't post insinuations about astroturfing, shilling, bots, brigading, foreign agents and the like. It degrades discussion and is usually mistaken.
>Eschew flamebait. Avoid generic tangents.
>Please don't post shallow dismissals
I would have simply flagged your comment if I had sufficient karma to do so.
throw7|3 years ago
Dang, I suggest you close this thread also, cheers.