Likewise, Cosman's letter gives me the feeling that he supports the Israelis killing innocent civilians in Gaza by using a rather illogical question to justify Israel's act.

Cosman asked: "If Yuen Long triads were shooting missiles at Shenzhen from Fairview Park, and the Hong Kong police did nothing to shut it down, what would the PLA do?"

Of course the PLA would set out from Tamar and take action in Yuen Long. However, the PLA would definitely not kill innocent residents in Yuen Long. I am sure that both President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao agree that there is no point killing innocent people for revenge. This would only escalate hatred without solving the problem.

The Israeli army has bombed a school, killing 42 people. Most of them were civilians, including children. The Israeli army accuses Hamas of using civilians as "human shields" and said the killing is justifiable.

If your children were kidnapped by a desperado, the police ignored that and shot them dead, and then said: "It's not our fault. He shouldn't have used the kids as human shields," how would you feel then?

Other people's lives are invaluable as well, Dr Cosman.

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=5&art_id=76716&sid=22155369&con_type=1&d_str=20090108&fc=8