Hawks seem to have convinced themselves that American military might is like a power ring -- capable of achieving anything if only we have sufficient will.

-- Matthew Yglesias

In fiction, there's often a point where the good guys argue with each other or otherwise angst about having to decide whether to use a weapon of immense power (atomic bomb, death ray, etc.) that will probably not only kill their enemies, but result in a large number of civilian casualties.

Do We Have This?

Examples:

• The main plot of every Godzilla movie ever made where he's the Big Bad: should we use nuclear weapons?
• Real life: GWB's foreign policy from 2001-2008.
• Passing plot point in Independance Day. Nuclear weapons were used, but were ineffective.
• Tony Stark struggles with his conscience in the Iron Man movie.
• In the Dark Knight Returns, Batman tries to justify killing the Joker, but can't.