Any attack anywhere will have collateral damage. I saw it in Northern Ireland. I just read Michael's comment on tear gas which was used often in N. Ireland and it did help somewhat. They also used rubber bullets, but unfortunately damage was still extensive and war was then turned on the local police trying to control situations. War is terrifying for the innocent children and pets caught in the midst of it all, and the wild life is affected, animals, insects and birds also suffer. Every attack perpetrated by humans creates damage.... not just war, but the clearance of environments for construction. All creation, even of those things we consider beautiful, is married to destruction of something. We live in a world of karmic activity and have a responsibility to lessen the impact on the Earth, ourselves and others. ***
I like the broader scope with which you reframed my question; it now seems more modest. Still, as Buddha taught, there is probably a way to reduce suffering, even in such difficult matters. I hope so, and I hope that discussing some evidence might help in the long run. Not sure, though…
In the school scenario, rather than bullets and bombs, they could fill the school with tear gas. There may be some casualties, depending on the age of the children or semi-adults inside, but it would likely force those in opposition to the attackers/saviors from doing untold harm to the people inside the building. In outside spaces, depending on how wide and open, a stun overhead effect could be launched. Yes some people may lose their hearing or eyesight, but the death rate could be minimum and with no other harm done. So far this has been outside the realm of a military’s role, perhaps now it should be inserted when something more ethical than simply a win is called for.
That’s precisely my feeling. Some (high-ranking) military people in European countries, for instance, also complain that we get used to a low death rate in both everyday life and war. In which frightening world is it a bad thing…
Any attack anywhere will have collateral damage. I saw it in Northern Ireland. I just read Michael's comment on tear gas which was used often in N. Ireland and it did help somewhat. They also used rubber bullets, but unfortunately damage was still extensive and war was then turned on the local police trying to control situations. War is terrifying for the innocent children and pets caught in the midst of it all, and the wild life is affected, animals, insects and birds also suffer. Every attack perpetrated by humans creates damage.... not just war, but the clearance of environments for construction. All creation, even of those things we consider beautiful, is married to destruction of something. We live in a world of karmic activity and have a responsibility to lessen the impact on the Earth, ourselves and others. ***
I like the broader scope with which you reframed my question; it now seems more modest. Still, as Buddha taught, there is probably a way to reduce suffering, even in such difficult matters. I hope so, and I hope that discussing some evidence might help in the long run. Not sure, though…
In the school scenario, rather than bullets and bombs, they could fill the school with tear gas. There may be some casualties, depending on the age of the children or semi-adults inside, but it would likely force those in opposition to the attackers/saviors from doing untold harm to the people inside the building. In outside spaces, depending on how wide and open, a stun overhead effect could be launched. Yes some people may lose their hearing or eyesight, but the death rate could be minimum and with no other harm done. So far this has been outside the realm of a military’s role, perhaps now it should be inserted when something more ethical than simply a win is called for.
That’s precisely my feeling. Some (high-ranking) military people in European countries, for instance, also complain that we get used to a low death rate in both everyday life and war. In which frightening world is it a bad thing…