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If Russia launched a missile at a Western nation, but it turned out the missile was a dud, so when it hits it does almost no damage, would anyone have the sligh
by lkrubner 7y ago
If Russia launched a missile at a Western nation, but it turned out the missile was a dud, so when it hits it does almost no damage, would anyone have the slightest doubt that this was an act of war? It doesn’t matter if the missile does damage, the mere effort of launching is an act of war. Likewise, it does not matter if a Russian intelligence operation is successful.
- mistermann 7y agoOk, so is a single internet troll post by someone from another country sufficient to be considered an act of war? And if so, does this apply to all countries, or only Russia?
- lkrubner 7y agoWhy are you asking this question? If Russian intelligence engaged in an action against the USA then it is an act of war. Everyone knows this. So why are we still talking about it? I feel like, for some strange reason, on this particular topic, some people are looking for any possible excuse to argue against common sense.
- deleted 7y ago[deleted]
- mistermann 7y ago> Why are you asking this question? Because I am interested in your opinion on it. An even better question is: why didn't you answer it? > If Russian intelligence engaged in an action against the USA then it is an act of war. For the sake of argument, let's take that as true (I'm curious if it actually is, I've never read the formal text on what constitutes an act of war, if you have please share it). Considering that, once again: does this apply to all countries, or only Russia? > Everyone knows this. So why are we still talking about it? Well, now that you put it this way, I think I would like to formally request a link to where I can read about how a Twitter post (which is an an action) by an individual who is employed by Russian intelligence is considered an "act of war". My intuition tells me this is an exaggeration. Or maybe it's just "common sense"?
- VK538FY 7y agoI believe that the grandparent poster could be qualified as rather 'hawkish'. I hope truly that cooler heads are at the helm of international politics.
- mistermann 7y agoI find it fascinating how people's abstract (in their mind) philosophical opinions can change as you move a topic through different dimensions. Widespread realization of this phenomenon would make political change possible imho.
- VK538FY 7y agoSure, but the guy to whom we are responding suggests implicitely that some hypothetical political meddling is an act of war that requires a war-like response -- twice with an identical comment, in fact. I don't think that I am poorly interpreting what he says. Both the US and Russia have meddled in other countries' politics but I will bet real money that the meddling of the US has ended in greater disaster that that of post-Soviet Russia. So move through the dimensions as you will -- this guy wants to let the missiles fly. Troll or completely barking mad, black or white.
- mistermann 7y agoHis words say just that indeed, but I doubt he realizes it. Propaganda works. Even the relatively intelligent are highly susceptible to it, as can be seen every single day on HN. And this particular propaganda is sowing the seeds for conflict not just between countries, but also within countries. With effort, discipline, and cooperation, I strongly believe something could be done about it. Certain people happen to be in unique positions to facilitate the start of this change, which could in turn alter the course of the humanity. But how one gets them to realize this is something I don't know how to do.
- VK538FY 7y ago