Politics is simply a less crude and unbastardized cousin of war. In both cases, there are two opposing sides working against each other for the sole aim of power. The difference is merely in the approach. All too often, war is protected under the waving cape of politics. Take suicide bombers. There's a prime example for you. After blowing innocent people to shreds, Hamas and Hezbollah claim that they were freeing their own people from oppression. Immediately, group members begin running for government positions and take the initiative of rebuilding communities that they indirectly destroyed.
Unfortunately, by its very definition, politics breathes legitimacy. Government officials are assumed to be acting in a higher capacity than the everyman. Hence, the suicide bomber supporter turned cabinet member and the militant turned peace corps are given legitimacy, and by natural extension, their actions are given legitimacy as well. As soon as the protective mantle of politics is donned, we cannot help but acknowledge righteousness. Once a kidnapping is proclaimed to be in the service of helping the oppressed masses, the war is already won through politics. By turning the spotlight away from themselves and onto the wronged, the defense has not only been proclaimed innocent, but the prosecution has also been ordered to pay damages to him on top of this.
Illegitimate war is terrible, and politics is as often wrong as it is right. The horrific happens when we put the two together. We are not just unable to respond to illegitimate actions of violence, we are endorsing it through our silence. What can we do? If we do nothing, they win. If we retaliate, then we are clearly the aggressors and their assertion that we are oppressing their population is true. Where is the solution? Where is conscience? Where is morality?
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