The "other" Max comments on the Libertarian Party pledge:
>>"I do not advocate the initiation of force to promote social or
>>political goals."
>What about preemptive strikes? I would hate to wait until I got hit by a
>mugger to react.
Notice the statement reads "to promote social or political goals". This doesn't in any way preclude defense of self or others from threat of attack.
>Or how about hostile countries running the arms race with
>ill intent? Do we wait until the bombs are dropping?
The proper response to an arms race by hostile countries is an impenetrable defense. As with regular criminality, protection and preparedness are far more effective than reaction after the fact.
Dick