> What I was trying to say was that killing can often times solve problems, contrary to "killing doesn't solve anything." It shouldn't be the first resort, and it shouldn't be done for anything but the most serious purposes, but when used in this fashion, it is effective. If by killing a Hamas bomb maker, Israel can prevent him from making another bomb that would kill Israeli citizens, I say do it.
> --jon

To poorly paraphrase (I believe) John Wayne, "You made two mistakes. First you made me mad. Second, you left me standing." Sure, killing can rid you of your troubles if you can somehow kill everybody who is causing your troubles but, it's tough to do that.
Often killing is instead a pretty good signal of hatred and an igniter of fear. Alas, if someone punches me in the nose, thereby letting me know they dislike me and making me fear a further punch, either I or one of my friends is going to get even. Call it prevention. Then what happens?
Eugen''e