Allie Gregory Post 9

          There is definitely a time for war. By all means, it's something to avoid if at all possible. War is terrible. People die, and when people die, does anyone really win? (I don't think they do). However, sometimes it is just unavoidable. People, as a general rule, don't listen very well. They also have a tendency to be stubborn, pig-headed, greedy, etc, etc, and because of this will do anything to get there way (And this is coming from someone who largely identifies as an optimist). The same way a small child (or my teenage brother) will make demands for everything under the sun with no attempt to keep within the constraints of what is fair or realistic, countries push each other around. In both situations, the only solution is sometimes a show of force. Sure, sometimes you buy the kid an ice cream. Sometimes you let my brother have a pair of stupidly expensive shoes. And other times you make a deal, come to an agreement. "You can have ice cream if you clean your room." "Who needs more than six pairs of custom Nike tennis shoes?" But sometimes, an ever so reluctant parent has to put their foot down. Sometimes they have to say no, send the kid to timeout, ground him, because that is the only way the kid will ever learn who's boss. It's the only way to avoid shoe-related bankruptcy. In the case of international affairs, it takes on a much more important role of being the only way to avoid being pushed around or oppressed. When it comes down war being the only way to protect people, then absolutely, countries have an obligation to go to war.