If you want to rise above mere nationalism and tribalism, however, then you must be capable of understanding that the soldier in the opposing army is just as motivated by love for those he has served beside as the soldier in your own army is, and he TOO is dying on behalf of those he loves.

In many respects, well said, LH. Remember, however, that tribalism (the parent of nationalism) has a bonafide evolutionary function also. The evolutionary dialectic is between the survival of the species and which members of the species will survive.


The abuses of government have stained the reputation of the army and those who serve in it.

It's a tough job, like any hands-on in-your-face job dealing with dangerous shit - but government have corrupted it and turned it into an weapon of aggression. How can one give 'thanks' for the abuses perpetrated by the army for corrupt government interests?

Crow Sister, Thanking an individual who serves is not synonymous with giving thanks for, or endorsing the policies of the entity through which the individual serves. One may not agree with the policies and practices of a business or corporation, but still thank a customer service representative of that business for providing good service within the limits set upon them by the policies of the company.

Regarding your comment on the reluctance of the USA to enter WWII, that is true. It also reflected the workings of a relatively democratic society not immediately threatened that needed to weigh the pros and cons of a momentous decision with profound implications for ourselves as a nation and the world. Ultimately we rose to the occasion, and quite effectively.   Our entry into the war sooner would have had little effect due to the time involved in gearing up to provide the goods and supplies to the Allies needed to wage WWII. Our industries and resources were gearing up, but were still far from the necessary developed capacity to supply western Europe and China to wage effective war when the Japanese struck Pearl Harbor.




In some ways, I envy the capacity for simplicistic moral povs of so many people on either side of the equation. I wish I were comfortable with "shoulds" and the moral certitude of absolute right and wrong implied.