Below are some analogs to arguments I've heard regarding American policy toward Iraq. See if you can figure out what's wrong with them. Have fun!

Fireman 1: This house is on fire. Help me put it out.
Fireman 2: Hey, look over there, and over there, and over there. There are three other houses on fire. Why should we put this one out?


Policeman 1 (to criminal in house): Sir, open up, we have reason to believe you're engaged in illegal activity, and we have a warrant to search the premises.
Criminal: Go away.
Policeman 1: Sir, please open up.
(nine months later)
Policeman 1: Sir, please open up.
(nine months later)
Policeman 1: Sir, please open up.
(nine months later)
Policeman 1: Sir, please open up.
(nine months later)
Policeman 1: Sir, please open up.
(nine months later)
Policeman 1: Sir, please open up.
(nine months later)
Policeman 1: Sir, please open up.
(nine months later)
Policeman 1: Sir, please open up.
(nine months later)
Policeman 1: Sir, please open up.
(nine months later)
Policeman 1: Sir, please open up.
(nine months later)
Policeman 1: Sir, please open up.
(nine months later)
Policeman 1: Sir, please open up.
(nine months later)
Policeman 1: Sir, please open up.
(nine months later)
Policeman 1: Sir, please open up.
(nine months later)
Policeman 1: Sir, please open up.
(nine months later)
Policeman 1: Sir, please open up. Okay, I'm going to knock the door down now.
Policeman 2: Now, now, don't rush in. We haven't really exhausted all our options. Ask again, this time in a friendlier voice. Besides, if we knock this guy's door down and arrest him, we won't be very popular with his neighbors.


Policeman: May I see your license and registration?
Driver: Why are you wasting your time pulling me over, man? Look at that guy that just went by...he's speeding. Why aren't you pulling him over? There's probably lots of murderers and rapists running around. Why are you wasting your time with me?


A father is beating his child in the street.
Bystander 1: Should we do something?
Bystander 2: Like what?
Bystander 1: I don't know...stop him. The kid's bleeding all over the place.
Bystander 2: That would be forcing our standards of behavior on him.
Bystander 1: But he's killing the kid!
Bystander 2: The use of force is always unjust. Try talking to him.
Bystander 1: Sir, can you stop, please? He's not stopping.
Bystander 2: Well, there's nothing we can do. To intervene would be imperialistic, hegemonic, and oppressive. This is between the child and his father. It's none of our business.
Bystander 1: But what if we can help the child?
Bystander 2: Now you're imposing your Western values into the situation. Maybe the kid likes being beaten unconscious.

...and on and on, ad nauseum.

Have fun, kids...