There is a lot to unpack without replying to each line -
the comparison is just to keep a level of scale in mind. not to justify or excuse one side. Is the invasion of a country in a pointless waste of time war (Vietnam as an example) comparable to what soviet russia did with the gulags? Thats a very contrived example - I do not think vietnam war should have happened. it was horrific and unjustified.
Can we and should we compare? Absolutely. My question, which I am not implying an answer to, is the comparison minimising what one side has done when contrasted with the other side.
USA death toll
How to count it? Every single action the USA has taken unjustifiably. Invasion of europe to free from nazis? Could argue that war was fully justified. Dropping two nukes on japan? Thats america kicking the loser when they’re already on the ground. Faaar more difficult to justify.
Deaths caused by capitalism
YES! I meant to mention that in my original comment and didn’t, thank you for pointing this out. Absolutely we should count every single person who has died of hunger on the failings of capitalism. I mean that 100%. Sincerely. Capitalism as a system kills people. As does communism.
russia invasion of ukraine. I support ukraine.
Israels genocide of gaza / destruction of Palestinians. I support 🇵🇸 Palestine
Agree with you on most points, especially that we should be cautious with the parallel we draw : we can and sometimes should draw them, but always keeping in mind the risk of promoting or minimizing horrors. My previous answer did not promote that enough, you’re right reminding it.
There is a lot to unpack without replying to each line -
the comparison is just to keep a level of scale in mind. not to justify or excuse one side. Is the invasion of a country in a pointless waste of time war (Vietnam as an example) comparable to what soviet russia did with the gulags? Thats a very contrived example - I do not think vietnam war should have happened. it was horrific and unjustified.
Can we and should we compare? Absolutely. My question, which I am not implying an answer to, is the comparison minimising what one side has done when contrasted with the other side.
How to count it? Every single action the USA has taken unjustifiably. Invasion of europe to free from nazis? Could argue that war was fully justified. Dropping two nukes on japan? Thats america kicking the loser when they’re already on the ground. Faaar more difficult to justify.
YES! I meant to mention that in my original comment and didn’t, thank you for pointing this out. Absolutely we should count every single person who has died of hunger on the failings of capitalism. I mean that 100%. Sincerely. Capitalism as a system kills people. As does communism.
Yeah, sorry for the long answer mb
Agree with you on most points, especially that we should be cautious with the parallel we draw : we can and sometimes should draw them, but always keeping in mind the risk of promoting or minimizing horrors. My previous answer did not promote that enough, you’re right reminding it.
a long answer allows for proper nuance, to reach a shared understanding. I appreciate your level of detail