Thanks for adding that. I agree with each point.

Sometimes a family needs a threat from the outside to coalesce. So, it's possible a war could drive values that connect us rather than divide us further--not one of these small things where we go throw rocks at some sand from the air. It would have to be a palpable threat.

@chuckpo it's possible, but I don't believe it's the best bet or the right one. In my opinion education is the path. A path away from ignorance is a path away from prejudice. A path away from prejudice is a path toward open conversation. Open conversation leads to enlightenment.

@WishIKnew, agreed, EXCEPT the educators are the ones who need the education. And that sob is uphill both ways. Too many are now too educated to ever consider the possibility they're ignorant.

@chuckpo I wish you weren't right

Some brevity here. Yes, we would no doubt win. Our armed forces are superior in every quantitative measurable way. That is resolved. But also, we have a superior mindset amongst both our fighting forces and the General leadership that dispatches them. I can provide more citation of this phenomenon later. But what we learned in WW2 about General relief and emphasis on flexible leadership qualities coupled with results oriented evaluations gave our fighting troops a massive advantage at adaptation on the battlefield enroute to the overall objective.
Regarding our inner turmoil over politics a serious war would jolt the large center moderates, that have tolerated the silliness of the radical left, into a return to sobriety. The radicals would scatter and hide. Alone no soy boy can affect anything. It's even dubious that enmasse they are having an effect. Even as we discuss this the western civilized world is returning to conservatism and nationalism. See what just took place in Australia last week and in Europe this weekend with elections. We've reached an inflection point where sensible people are awakened to the inconvenience of involving themselves in politics and less so in their vocational lives. Once things are righted they will return to their individual business and pursuits. And that is the greatest and most powerful reason to endorse and support a war...returning to a life of liberty.
*I appreciate everyone who has contributed to this discussion.

@DanielEvans I think there is entirely too much assumed here to send thousands of brave and intelligent world changers to die. Today is the day we officially set to remember the ones we've lost already. The soldiers fighting are not anonymous, they are fathers, daughters, heroes and not to be launched as weapons in hope some assumption of togetherness will result.
War as conflict resolution is necessary. War in hope of gain is selfish.

Yeah , and the whole 2 world wars had a huge impact - 20th century was a turning point for mankind no doubt

I would posit that besides population growth it was also the result of technological innovation in armaments along with leaders coveting other nations' resources. Oh also, the misguided dreams of empire building was a legacy of past societies (Macedonian, Greeks, Phoenicians, Roman, et al) that lingered in the generational thinking of the leaders raised by 19th century worldviews.
With an almost worldwide return to nationalism and rejection of globalism we are safer than before, though not immune, from world wide wars ike we saw in the 20th century. War henceforth will likely be regional conflicts or border disputes. There is no longer a reason to covet another nations natural resources or have an empirical view of conquest. Well behaved super powers should be able to cooperate to squelch any rogue states in the 21st century and beyond.

@DanielEvans, I like the hope in your response.

@chuckpo To be clear, I'm not hoping for a war anytime soon. I do wish for a new paradigm through which national leaders think through their options before blindly pursuing their ambitions. But when I look back over the arc of time I see an almost countless number of wars. It just seems as much the nature of nations as it is young boys on a school playground sorting out the social hierarchy via violence or threats of violence or alliances over common interests.
Regarding the loss of life being individuals with family here at home, yes, this makes war personal. But there are people who crave that danger and know the risks. That is their liberty to do so. Also, it is an implied part of one's contractual obligation when volunteering to join the military. I do trust the the General leadership to construct battle plans that mitigate loss of life to the lowest percentages possible without compromising the objectives.
Where do I find real hope? In the fact that during peacetime we continue to train our military to be the most prolific and dynamic fighters individually and in groups. They are all taught to be problem solvers. They are smart fighters. They are brave and proud. And they know freedom is not free.
So today let us humbly remember those who made that sacrifice and pray for the broken hearts of those they left behind.