John Niehas (of First Things) on NPR Friday night talked about “just war”,  and he thinks Iraq is a “just cause” because it is “defensive” in the sense that Iraq has “aggression” underway.  I have questions about that,  not that Saddam is most likely plotting something evil,  because I can’t dismiss that.  I just caution against hasty action.  There seems to be time to get all the parties involved. 

Niehas , in his discussion of what constitutes “just war”,  zeroes in on how “defense” is considered one of the criteria for “just war”.  I do not advocate INACTION,  but proactive steps to ascertain the probablity of real and immanent threat,  and to bring the force of international consensus and pressure upon their “renewal” of compliance,  and even impose more “stringent” and “urgent” requirements.

I am not unconvinced that Saddam should not be watched…….I’m sure he should be…..I am just not persuaded that military attack is the right next step at this moment…..I’m not too trusting of the U.S. tactics in carrying out these strikes.