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Topic started on 11-5-2009 @ 10:46 AM by earthman4
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We have seen that many forces are organized for war. When do they become "enemy combatants"? At what point do they lose thier civilian status? Does
the taliban fighter become a civilian the moment he puts down his rifle? Just as in Vietnam, the US has no clear enemy to kill. Where is the line
between civilian and soldier? This is a question that will cause you to think. Once you begin thinking you may debate.
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reply posted on 11-5-2009 @ 11:03 AM by Jenna
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The moment they pick up a weapon and have intent to fire upon one side or the other, or do engage in the conflict, they are combatants and are no
longer civilians. Dropping that weapon doesn't mean they are automatically reduced to citizen status again, they are still combatants. What makes it
difficult is when they don't wear anything identifying them as a member of an army, militia, fighter group, whatever you want to call it, and do
their best to blend in with the civilians. Then innocent people get hurt, and doing so is cowardly and intentional endangerment of civilians at best.
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reply posted on 11-5-2009 @ 11:10 AM by earthman4
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Originally posted by Jenna
The moment they pick up a weapon and have intent to fire upon one side or the other, or do engage in the conflict, they are combatants and are no
longer civilians. Dropping that weapon doesn't mean they are automatically reduced to citizen status again, they are still combatants. What makes it
difficult is when they don't wear anything identifying them as a member of an army, militia, fighter group, whatever you want to call it, and do
their best to blend in with the civilians. Then innocent people get hurt, and doing so is cowardly and intentional endangerment of civilians at best.
Excellent point, but I think it matters who they intend to shoot. An American defending his home does not become an enemy until he threatens law
enforcement, and this never makes him a soldier. If he claims membership in some sort of militia, then I think he is an enemy soldier.
If an Afghani civilian becomes Taliban does this make his whole family Taliban, the ones he uses for a shield? At what age do we call Taliban
soldiers?
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reply posted on 11-5-2009 @ 11:25 AM by cautiouslypessimistic
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Thank you for bringing this up. Just like the label "terrorist", enemy combatant is a blanket term that can truly be used on anyone. It has nothing
to do with picking up a gun-many people and groups are labeled enemy combatants without ever having engaged in any type of violent action.
It is purely semantical, and is nothing other than propaganda to perpetuate fear towards those that are different.
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reply posted on 11-5-2009 @ 11:29 AM by cautiouslypessimistic
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Originally posted by earthman4
If he claims membership in some sort of militia, then I think he is an enemy soldier.
So, excersizing your second amendment rights, which states:
"A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."
means you are an enemy combatant? 
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reply posted on 11-5-2009 @ 11:32 AM by SLAYER69
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Some are not even armed with weapons.
They can be spies, or supply food and shelter etc. So not all of them will be carrying a Kalashnikov. Some could be hiding explosives under their
garb. Worse yet have their females carry supplies and travel separately from the men only to hook up at the next location to blow something up.
Not carrying an Ak-47 does not mean they are not combatants.
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reply posted on 11-5-2009 @ 11:33 AM by earthman4
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Originally posted by cautiouslypessimistic
Originally posted by earthman4
If he claims membership in some sort of militia, then I think he is an enemy soldier.
So, excersizing your second amendment rights, which states:
"A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."
means you are an enemy combatant? 
Once a gun is raised at an agent of the US govement or a civilian, yes then he is an enemy soldier. Can we lose the "enemy combatant" thing? It was
a product of deception and I am sorry I used it.
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reply posted on 11-5-2009 @ 11:38 AM by xxpigxx
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I would say enemy of the state, rather than enemy combatant
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reply posted on 11-5-2009 @ 11:44 AM by earthman4
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Originally posted by xxpigxx
I would say enemy of the state, rather than enemy combatant
If he calls himself a soldier and fights America then he should be considered an enemy soldier and subject to the rules of the Geneva convention. This
is just my opinion and I don't really know how the law stands on this. He gets the lable domestic terrorist. More fear mongering.
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reply posted on 11-5-2009 @ 12:03 PM by cautiouslypessimistic
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Originally posted by earthman4
Originally posted by cautiouslypessimistic
Originally posted by earthman4
If he claims membership in some sort of militia, then I think he is an enemy soldier.
So, excersizing your second amendment rights, which states:
"A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."
means you are an enemy combatant? 
Once a gun is raised at an agent of the US govement or a civilian, yes then he is an enemy soldier. Can we lose the "enemy combatant" thing? It was
a product of deception and I am sorry I used it.
Well, the term "soldier" doesnt fit this definition either.
Soldiers is defined as:
1. One who serves in an army.
2. An enlisted person or a noncommissioned officer.
3. An active, loyal, or militant follower of an organization.
So just picking up a gun does not make you a soldier.
Also, let me ask you this: If a civilian points a gun at a police officer who is illegally abusing his power, is he still an "enemy combatant" or
whatever rhetorical propaganda you'd like to use?
truth be told, these words are nothing other than propaganda to strike fear into a certain group, and to scare others into conforming.
One persons enemy combatant is another's person simply defending his home.
Terms such as "terrorist" "enemy combatant" "enemy soldier" ets are the most dangerous thing facing this country today, as most are too ignorant
to realize that they rea NOTHING MORE THAN MENTAL WARFARE ON YOU, AND EVERYONE AROUND YOU.
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reply posted on 11-5-2009 @ 12:29 PM by xxpigxx
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reply posted on 11-5-2009 @ 01:35 PM by Jenna
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Originally posted by earthman4
Excellent point, but I think it matters who they intend to shoot. An American defending his home does not become an enemy until he threatens law
enforcement, and this never makes him a soldier.
Not really, he would still be seen as a combatant by the other side. We might not see him as such though the possibility exists, but the other
side definitely would.
edit: fixed formatting error
[edit on 11-5-2009 by Jenna]
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reply posted on 11-5-2009 @ 01:44 PM by cautiouslypessimistic
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Originally posted by xxpigxx
reply to post by cautiouslypessimistic
That is why elect to call them enemy of the state. It is appropriate all around
Enemy combatant, or enemy of the state is no different than the others. They are purely a way to label one group to perpetuate fear in another.
the minute you use these blanket terms, its already lost.
[edit on 5/11/2009 by cautiouslypessimistic]
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reply posted on 11-5-2009 @ 01:48 PM by earthman4
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Originally posted by cautiouslypessimistic
Originally posted by xxpigxx
reply to post by cautiouslypessimistic
That is why elect to call them enemy of the state. It is appropriate all around
Enemy combatant is no different than the others. The are purely a way to label one group to perpetuate fear in another.
the minute you use these blanket terms, its already lost.
I would be so happy to find a reporter who said "There were 100 killed and it is not known how many were civilians or how we would classify them as
civilians. " Then I would have found a real news source. When will we be able to cast off the blinders of these blanket terms?
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