BS: WAR:- Why the fuss when soldiers die

Subject: RE: BS: WAR:- Why the fuss when soldiers die
From: SeanM
Date: 03 Apr 03 - 11:18 PM

Compared to his military forces?

There's actually reasonable debate that he's even still in country.

But even his life has value. After all, he'd not be in the situation he is now had we not supplied him with the very arms (or at least the means to manufacture them) we're supposedly invading to remove...

M

Subject: RE: BS: WAR:- Why the fuss when soldiers die
From: mg
Date: 03 Apr 03 - 11:07 PM

Sean...why in the world do you think Hussein is at limited risk? I would say he is in a high risk category right now. mg

Subject: RE: BS: WAR:- Why the fuss when soldiers die
From: SeanM
Date: 03 Apr 03 - 10:17 PM

I'm VERY much against the invasion of Iraq, and am vocal about it.

I still feel sorrow when anyone - anyone - dies as a result of this.

HOW someone dies, or who is responsible for it - that is all irrelevant. Every death is an end. An end to potential, an end to promise, an end to everything that person did or could do.

To this end - again, I do NOT support Bush in his attempt at 21st century imperialism. But I very much support our (being a US citizen, however embarrassing that is at the moment) troops. While I do not support the goals of the war, nor the people behind the scenes who make it and are at limited risk from it (Bush and Hussein, natch), I do strongly hope for a quick resolution of the combat and the cessation of the mindless, pointless killing currently happening. In my mind, this is not something a soldier should be asked to "put his life on the line" for. Attacks upon American citizens and holdings? Yes. As a force aiding the United Nations when all options for diplomacy have truly failed? Yes.

The current fiasco, with the world united against us, and where we have not found any evidence of the supposed "weapons of mass destruction", and where a healthy percentage of the evidence we cite to justify aggression is PROVEN forgery?

No. I cannot support that.

But I can feel deep regret at every life lost, and wish deeply and personally for an end to this travesty that the Terrorist In Chief has launched. After all, at this point I've got friends on the front line. I'd like them back, and back in one piece and living, and no amount of Curious George waving shiny things in attempts to distract the nation will stop that.

M

Subject: RE: BS: WAR:- Why the fuss when soldiers die
From: Little Hawk
Date: 03 Apr 03 - 08:32 PM

Why the fuss? It's dead simple. Propaganda and homefront loyalties, that's why. Gotta keep the people on the homefront emotionally involved, so they support getting more of their kids shot for the cause. I'm sure the Iraquis are likewise busy disseminating such propaganda to their people about their heroes (as they would see them) who fall fighting the coalition. In fact, I know they are.

We just don't hear too much about that on our media, we hear about the American and British and Kurdish heroes who fall.

The Palestinians celebrate their fallen too. The Israelis celebrate theirs. Everybody does it. It's partly just natural reaction...it's partly calculated propaganda. Recognizing it for what it is can calm you down a little, if you're willing to calm down.

Everybody misses the friends and relatives and countrymen they lose in a war, but there is no nation out there whose people are intrinsically more valuable than their opponents on the battlefield...and there never will be...rumours about "master race" or "chosen people" notwithstanding.

I'm with ya, Lepus.

- LH

Subject: RE: BS: WAR:- Why the fuss when soldiers die
From: Lepus Rex
Date: 03 Apr 03 - 07:50 PM

Get used to it, Beardy. Yours isn't a very politically correct opinion, and the usual response from the majority to such statements is usually personal attacks. I'm with you, though. (you lucky bastard) :)

---Lepus Rex

Subject: RE: BS: WAR:- Why the fuss when soldiers die
From: gnu
Date: 03 Apr 03 - 06:54 PM

Subject: RE: BS: WAR:- Why the fuss when soldiers die
From: Beardy
Date: 03 Apr 03 - 06:44 PM

Taking the rise,bollocks. Just a heartfelt belief. And who mentioned cowardice, probably the only intelligent thing George W has done in his life. Common sense does not equate to cowardice.

Subject: RE: BS: WAR:- Why the fuss when soldiers die
From: Wesley S
Date: 03 Apr 03 - 05:58 PM

Troll alert - just ignore them.

Subject: RE: BS: WAR:- Why the fuss when soldiers die
From: artbrooks
Date: 03 Apr 03 - 05:55 PM

pdc: I don't believe that is true, any more than anyone thinks that their own family/group/nation is more valuable to them than are strangers. There have been a number of reports out of the current conflict of American soldiers exposing themselves to danger to get civilians out of danger, or of not firing when shot at because of the possibility of injuring bystanders.

Subject: RE: BS: WAR:- Why the fuss when soldiers die
From: Frankham
Date: 03 Apr 03 - 05:49 PM

It's important to respect the convictions of the young men and women who are going to war whether you agree with their views or not. They may have ideals and values that are being manipulated by cynical politicians with their lies and deceptions. But the young men and women are our Americans and their lives ARE important. I am saddened by the fact that they are there but I wish them the best and pray that future leaders will bring them home where they belong. I don't approve of those who spit on Vietnam vets when they returned home. Human life in my book is sacred and this goes for young men and women in uniform whether I agree that they should be there or not.

Frank Hamilton

Subject: RE: BS: WAR:- Why the fuss when soldiers die
From: GUEST,pdc
Date: 03 Apr 03 - 05:40 PM

Okay, on this topic, a straight question from a non-American. I'm not being ironic, nor am I trying to get a rise from anyone, nor am I trying to be offensive. Just straight, honest curiosity:

Is it true that some American people -- probably the pro-war ones -- believe that American lives are worth more than the lives of other nations?

Subject: RE: BS: WAR:- Why the fuss when soldiers die
From: stevetheORC
Date: 03 Apr 03 - 05:33 PM

Treat him with the contempt that he deserves then ignore.

Subject: RE: BS: WAR:- Why the fuss when soldiers die
From: duuuude
Date: 03 Apr 03 - 05:28 PM

Yep, another loser just tryin to get a rise.

Subject: RE: BS: WAR:- Why the fuss when soldiers die
From: artbrooks
Date: 03 Apr 03 - 05:09 PM

What an ass.

Subject: RE: BS: WAR:- Why the fuss when soldiers die
From: GUEST,Mars
Date: 03 Apr 03 - 04:57 PM

My, aren't you a friendly sort.

Sure, it's their job. It's also the job of policemen and firefighters to put themselves willingly in harm's way; yet on 9/11 we wept and prayed when so many of them died. (except for you, maybe)

Somebody cares when somebody dies. They're only Americans and no one would care? That's really crass of you to say. Of course someone will care. A mother. A father. A husband. A wife. A sister. A brother. A best friend, a poker buddy, a coworker.

Of course someone will care.

My brother avoided going to Vietnam on a student exemption. Does that make him a coward too?

Go stick your head back up your ass.

Subject: BS: WAR:- Why the fuss when soldiers die
From: Beardy
Date: 03 Apr 03 - 04:41 PM

I have been trying extremely hard but cannot comprehend why "shock and horror" is expressed on news bulletins when soldiers are killed or murdered.

IT'S THEIR JOB

Surely even the stupidest President, oil executive, asset stripper, broadcaster or journalist appreciates that if you are insane enough to join any of the ARMED forces then it is implicit in the job description to be shot at and killed. George W didn't avoid going to Vietnam because he was afraid of flying or didn't like foreign food; no, it was because he knew there was a high percentage chance that he would be returning in a body bag.

Why should I be expected to support people murdering innocent Iraqi's in an illegal and unjust war for which they are being amply rewarded. I never asked them to enlist and therefore I could not care less if they should die; it matters not one iota to me. They made their choice of career and have to accept the consequences. It isn't always a chance to go around the world playing various sports.

I have another couple of thoughts whilst on this subject. Regarding "friendly fire"; why on earth don't the British army fire back. They are only Americans; the rest of the world wouldn't care. Also how would the Pentagon have explained the death of the "rescued" soldier if their soldiers had cocked it up like most operations and shot her. Going from being safely tucked up in a hospital bed to racing across an Iraqi desert wouldn't appear to be the best strategy or the most logical use of resources.