I don't know either, Amos. I'm not a pacifist; I have to qualms with self-defense. While violent retribution solves little in the long run, I also don't think "turn the other cheek" is a particularly good political philosophy unless coupled with positive action elsewhere. Someone has to take the first step in a blood feud, or it never ends as long as their are survivors.

Germany got their butt kicked by force in WWI, and it bred a climate ripe for Hitler. Force was an appropriate reaction to out a stop to Hitler's actions -- but did the military defeat of Germany bring about the relatively peaceful and polite country Germany is today? Or did the positive reinforcement and active peacemaking of the Marshall Plan end the violence?