Sorry guys, but I'm glad I don't live in the US, hearing it as you put it. Here, very few people have guns and it's illegal to carry one unless you have a licence and a good reason. For that I'm very grateful! The fear first, shoot second and think later attitude is just not on here.
I know self defence from Tae Kwon Do training and if forced I'd do that. If it didnt work, maybe I was the one who was meant to be killed? And I'd have called the police at the first sign of trouble. Having said that, the original question was is it ever right to kill someone. I expect there are times when it can be right. I hope I never have to face one of them though. A friend of mine was responsible for killing his friend in a car accident recently, and his guilt is hard to bear even at this distance, I'd hate to be in his shoes.
The Darfur type example, well UN peacekeepers can do an awful lot if given the right mandate. Australian troops have been quite successful in East Timor and various Pacific nations, and a bit of fine tuning about the timing and the rules of engagement means that people could come in and ensure peace is kept. Like a parent coming in when the children are fighting. Not beating up the children, but making them sit down and talk through their differences. I believe that a problem cannot be solved with a solution at the same level, you need to go up a notch or two of consciousness. Violence cannot solve a violent problem. Only peace can solve it.
I will now spend a few minutes clearing my head with a gratitude list, and sending love and peaceful thoughts to all involved in violence. I recommend it to you.
Joy as well
Hazel
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