[Parabellum]

Arguing that you can't make this decision unless you have been emotionally affected by it (actually seeing the carnage in front of you) is the definition of irrationality.

Irrational - to disregard or act against reason.

CTanddc's post was nothing more than an appeal to emotion.

I'm not an internet tough guy, just a guy who values reason and logic over emotion.

EDIT: And we do this all the time. The US has a strict NO NEGOTIATION policy on kidnapping and ransom demands. We do tell the families of kidnapped citizens that we will NOT negotiate a release. Usually the people telling the families that are members of the military, or former military members now working for the government....so please do not try to sell me the "if you had been there you wouldn't be able to do the same" argument. People could and would tell a family that lost a loved one that we will NOT resort to torture to obtain shaky information. I would do it if I was in that position, and I don't expect you to believe me, since you clearly place emotion > reason.