If you were physically attacked, would you defend yourself, even if it meant taking a human life? For example: Say a knife-wielding intruder said he was going to kill you. Let’s also assume for the sake of argument that you had a gun on your person. Would you shoot him?
Let’s pretend Guinastasia was living in Boston in 1776. Would have you been a patriot, and thus fought for freedom? Or would have you fought for the crown? Or would have you been a pacifist?
BTW, Guinastasia: though I disagree with you on just about everything you say, I’ll be willing to fight so you may enjoy freedom.
Lots of innocent lives were lost when we bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Do you think we should not have bombed Japan with nuclear weapons?
I’m not sure if this will turn into a flull fledged war or not. But I’m sure something will be done. I’m not anxious to have innocent people killed either. I’d rather have the government take the time and effort to pin the right people.
If I remember correctly, the draft age is 18 to 28. If the only child in a family was male they weren’t considered for the draft. I’m sure if that’s wrong I’ll be corrected but I had one brother who was drafted for Vietnam and one in the National Guard during the same time.
It’s scary. It’s a soul searching situation. We love our country. The thought of all who have died over the years to give us what we have today is almost more than the mind can handle. War and death go hand in hand.
Many of you are quick to state you’d fight in a heartbeat. Maybe because of physical conditions you know that won’t happen so you’re glad to offer to go. Others are sincere and really would go. I have a 21-year-old son. He would probably go. I’ve never discussed it with him. But you know what? I’d rather go in his place. Just as I’m sure that many who did not survive yesterday have loved ones left behind who would trade places with them to give them the chance at life.
It’s easy to say what you would do when you are in a position to choose. But once drafted and sent into the face of battle, I’m not so sure that many could brag about how they’d like to kill a few people. Remember that there’s someone out there trying to kill you too.
To the ones on the board that have served in the military, my heart-felt thank you. Thank you for keeping this country safe and secure and giving me the joy of freedom.
In no way is this post intended to be an insult to anyone. But serious thought needs to be given before you brag about how you’d like to kill a few people or be so eager to send off others to do the killing for you. The ones with previous military experience I am sure can tell you that’s it’s not exactly what you think.
I am overweight and overage, but will do what I can.
And the reason is not vengeance, not to expunge the hurt from my soul by believing that bathing in the enemy’s blood is some sort of salve; that is never true. Ask the World War II vets if they came home happy for having avenged Pearl Harbor- or if they came home exhausted, horrified, and just happy to be one of the lucky sonofabitches still alive.
No; I will fight to maintain freedom. We have two choices to fight terrorism- we can either sacrifice our freedom to gain security, or we can go “once on me, twice on you” and make the motherfuckers realize that we will not be deterred by terrorism, we will not be stopped, and we will give back more than was given.
Put my in the “chubby, but willing” brigade. In fact, I volunteer for the “indiscriminate carnage” division.
As I see it any country that harbors and protects these terrorists are just as responsible as the people who planned the attacks and flew the planes. They have taken to killing innocent civilians and we should respond in kind. Mass bombings of Kabul and other Afgan cities until they realize that bin Laden’s not worth all their people dying. Then we let the Russians come in with the ground troops. They can have it.
I took off the uniform in 1990, but as a civilian will do my small part. That small part might only be praying for those who go to defend out country. I say defend for a reason. We have been attacked, we are not the aggressors.
For those of your who are pacifists, why do you say you cannot fight? There are other ways to fight. You can be a part of the solution. You can fight as a medical person but with the knowledge that you heal all, even the enemy. You can be a radio operator so tht communications can be kept open so that your fellow fighters are kept safe.
I could do a civilian job-I could volunteer for nursing duty, if need be.
And I do believe, that I could, in self defense, kill someone.
But I could never be a soldier. Fuck you. I’m being HONEST, all right? I know I would not fucking be capable. I would CHOKE. I am NOT trying to stay in “luxury.” I’m saying, I could NOT kill someone in war. I am AGAINST war. I HATE violence. We don’t even KNOW that there is going to be war. And if there is-I don’t think it’ll be like WWII, but more like WWI-we rush in, and then destroy ourselves in the process. Nuclear WAR? Fuck that.
I’d fight in a heartbeat. I’m normally a pretty passive, peaceful kind of guy, but the things I saw yesterday are without a doubt the most horrible, tragic things I’ve ever seen and steps should be taken to see that it doesn’t happen again.
Mr. Seawitch is in the Army Reserves (combat medic training). We sat and talked about this last night - he will be going if the hypothetical becomes real.
Personally? I’d never be accepted for combat, being in the too old/fat catagory, but I’d do my best to find a way to serve. Nursing assistance? Support of some kind? I don’t even know what they’d let me do, but I’ll find something.
I’m stone cold terrified at the thought of sending someone I love into combat. But I wouldn’t try to stop him, and I couldn’t face myself if I sent him to fight and sat home doing nothing.
Yes, i’m Angry over what has happened, and would take my place among those called to protect. But NOT out of vengance, but to fight for this country and all that we believe in. Yes I hate war, but dammit, I will fight for this country, and defend it with my dying breath. Freedom comes with a price.
And guys, go easy on Guinastasia. She is being honest, and has stated that she would help on the home front IF this would ever take place. She just can’t TAKE A LIFE. What’s hard to understand about that? For some people that is just NOT an option. And doesn’t make them less patriotic or less willing to do something for their country. It just means they play different roles.
I know emotions are high, but don’t bite the wrong dog.
Geeze, I’m not criticizing you! Not everyone is cut-out to be a fighter or soldier. I am thankful you’re not a frick’n pacifist, i.e. you appear you would be willing to help in a combat situation by offering to perform non-combative work. You also said, “I admire those with the courage to do so, but I could not,” which I respect.
Count me in with Guinastasia. I would volunteer for nursing duty, etc., but I would not willingly kill another human being. Especially since the soldiers (or God forbid, civilians) I’d be fighting most likely wouldn’t be the ones who planned the attacks. They would probably be people like us who joined or were conscripted to defend their country.
My friend Jason worked at home yesterday morning, and went into work at the WTC complex a little late. When he got there, work was gone (Smith Barney in bldg 7).
My brother, the ex-US Army Ranger, was in Virginia, planning to go into DC for a class yesterday. Luckily, he doesn’t believe in grad students having classes that start before noon.
I would go. In a heartbeat. They won’t take me for combat because I’m a girl, but I could do other things. I’m a good shot though, and it would be a waste not to use me.
The ex-Ranger brother? Bad knees and a bad back but a good heart and a brave soul. If asked, he’s there. Sorry mom.
Courage (as defined by a cheap dictionary my son had on the desk) -the capacity to meet danger or difficulty with firmness.
None of the words I looked up mentioned that courage means you aren’t scared shitless. Matter of fact, I applaude the willingness to admit fear.
We get into trouble when we let the fear overcome our common sense.
Yesterday, whoever the opponent turns out to be, proved they CANNOT be reasoned with, and I don’t propose to try.
I also am considered ineligble for military service due to various health problems. But, my aim is decent, and my mind relatively clear…
Both my brothers proudly served this country,I will willingly provide whatever back up is needed. Medical care, clerical support, name me a chore and I’m in.
I am still pending final resolution of my application for status as a conscientious objector (filed in 1968) and am barred from reenlistment. My objections remain, and I will not participate in nuclear warfare in any way.
But I will preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic. I take my oath seriously, and did not give it for a term of years, but as a citizen, for life.
I gotta say, according to my military arms instructor, “Decamus, you couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn if you were locked inside with an AR50!” So, infantry duty might not be my most useful contribution. But I cook well, and even as old and weak as I have become would still serve, should my country need me.
But I do not think war is the answer, unless we know against whom we are making war, and what we shall gain, in victory. A new generation of war orphans doesn’t seem to be a particularly advantageous addition to the political reality of the world.
Tris
“Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.” ~ Sun-tzu ~
Alvin York received the Medal of Honor, although he was originally a conscientious objector during the first world war. He came around.
I did 6 years in the Army, got out, and went back in for another 4 two years later. I’m not going to say I was a hero, but I would say that I was motivated to help out our younger soldiers-- they need and deserve good leadership. I felt it was very necessary to do this, I’ve no idea why.
Amazingly, when people start shooting at you, most people will do the right thing.
The ‘terrorists’ just did an amazingly stupid thing. They should have continued to nickle and dime us as they were-- US Marines were killed in Lebanon by truck bombs, Army soldiers were killed in Saudi Arabia, the Lockerbie and TWA Flight 800 disasters, the bombing of USS Cole, etc., They’ve managed to unite virtually the entire country, perhaps the world, against ‘terrorists.’
I’m sorry that it took such an enormous wake up call for America, but in the long run, we will prevail and we will crush those bastards in the dirt like they deserve.
“Bastards”? Since this is The Pit, I think the terrorists should be referred to as goat-felching, sister-raping, steaming puddles of liquid excrement, ass-pirate sons of whores.
Look around you–there are a hell of a lot of places where the people are frequently in the midst of war and violence whether they “HATE” it and are “AGAINST” it or not. So don’t kid yourself–you aretaking advantage of a luxury, the luxury we have in this country of not havingto fight. And don’t kid yourself that that luxury would exist if others weren’t willing to fight for it–it wouldn’t.
I don’t insist everyone be willing to fight–it’s their right to not be willing. But I do insist on pointing out that some people can exercise this right only because others do not.