Who were the real heroes of Middle-earth?: Re: More thinking, less blabbing

» robertjrubin - Re: More thinking, less blabbing

In response to message posted by isengar:

While I agree regarding your distinction between types of wars, I tend to disagree regarding which wars are which. In Tolkien's world, the first ward of the ring (in the second age) can be in large part blamed on the Elvish desire for controlling time. They would not have been a target for Sauron if they had not forged the 3 rings. The same problems that gave rise to the War of the Silmarils engendered the first war of the rings (the latter war of the rings was truly an act of desparate self-defense).

The War of the Dwarves and Orcs was initiated by an act of cruel murder aimed at Thror whose crime was to (in a state of insanity) wish to revisit his home - Moria. Unfortunately in our world as well as Tolkien's, not defending ones rights does not result in being left alone, but in being slowly reduced to servitude. If the Dwarves would have ignored the insult, this would have been an open invitation to drive them from their remaining homes. Passivity in the face of hostility encourges more hostility.

Regarding current events only history will tell us if Iraq is a true threat. Unfortunately, the wait for a smoking gun may be fatal. Guns generally don't smoke until they are fired. You have a choice of whether to trust Sadaam Hussein more than George Bush.

-- posted by robertjrubin