The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #162232 Message #3863954
Posted By: Steve Shaw
02-Jul-17 - 07:36 PM
Thread Name: BS: Time to choose on June 8th-UK Elections
Subject: RE: BS: Time to choose on June 8th-UK Elections
One of the most dangerous faux-historical traits is the what-if syndrome. It can be used to justify some of the most horrible things perpetrated, to exonerate a severe wrong. What if we hadn't invaded Iraq? (It would have been three times worse for the Iraqis). What if we hadn't firestormed Dresden? (The war would have lasted for months longer). What if the two bombs hadn't been dropped on Japan? (Millions more would have been killed). Etcetera. Really? What if we hadn't sacrificed a whole nation, Czechoslovakia, to the Nazis? The Nazis!!! It's an easy game to play for the hawks. The questions are valid enough. The approach to answering them can't half bring out the ideologue in some people.