] It is emblematic of an evolution in leftist values that has
] occurred so gradually over a period of decades that the
] profound nature of the shift is often not noticed. Today, the
] political counterculture and the antiwar movement in the
] West often seem to be one and the same.

Interesting way of putting it. And I can indeed name several people I know who seem to be anti-war not because they've thought through the issues, but simply because of a knee-jerk "if our government wants it, then it must be the wrong thing to do" kind of reaction.

To be fair, I have also spoken with anti-war advocates who *have* thought through the issues, and have clear, articulate opinions of why war is a bad idea, along with specific suggestions of alternative courses of action. I may still end up disagreeing with them, but I have far more respect for their opinion, and will spend much more time listening carefully to them, when it's clear that they've given thought to both sides of the issue and made a decision based on the facts of the matter, instead of just an emotional "anti-authority" response.

Salon.com | See no evil