Jail or War?

[Lady's Human]

ES, If someone in my platoon follows orders blindly, I want them the hell out of the army. There's a difference between blind obedience to orders and having the discipline to follow orders. The modern battlefield is far too complex for mind numbed soldiers. We need thinking soldiers, not automatons.

[Edwina's Secretary]

What is the difference?

And RICHARD....1912...Woodrow Wilson....Ludlow Massacre....

[Lady's Human]

ES, there's a huge difference, but it's impossible to explain to someone who hasn't experienced it.

[Cataholic]

ES, there's a huge difference, but it's impossible to explain to someone who hasn't experienced it.

Good lord. That is a lovely, patronizing statment. ES- I guess you are just too dumb to understand some things...silly woman.

[Lady's Human]

Cataholic, that was not patronizing, just fact.

[Cataholic]

Oh, I see. Pardon me for not bowing down, humbly, my back is a bit sore this evening.

I somehow missed the concept that one must experience firsthand an event before 'understanding' it. Personally, I have experienced firsthand neither war nor jail, but, am quite comfortable with my opinion that I want neither for myself.

I imagine the list might be near endless of the events (wo)man has not experienced firsthand, yet has knowledge of. To hear anyone make the comment you did up several posts above IS patronizing. Your next post, declaring it 'fact' is nearly dismissive. I would imagine ES has the ability to comprehend many concepts she hasn't experienced firsthand...really, she is quite bright. (Remember, it was YOU that didn't want mind numbed soldiers.... ).

[Lady's Human]

To understand the broad generalities of a concept one can read about it. To truly UNDERSTAND something as complex as the interaction between soldiers it has to be experienced. I'm not being condescending, I'm just stating a fact.

There are things in the military that I could never have understood, even though I have read a lot of history, many bios, etc. There are things that HAVE to be experienced.

[Karen]

I don't think he implied at all that someone wouldn't understand just because of their gender. He knows better.

I understand that, as someone who has never been a soldier, there are some things about it I don't understand, not because of any lack of intellectual capacity, but because of lack of experience. Just as there are things about being a lawyer that I am sure I do not understand, and there are things about being a Mass Art student you wouldn't understand.

[RICHARD]

What is the difference?

And RICHARD....1912...Woodrow Wilson....Ludlow Massacre....

Whoa,


It was 1914, and how did Rockefeller, as a mine owner, get the Colorado state governor to send the Nat'l. Guard in?

Me thinks me smells something nasty underfoot!


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludlow_Massacre


I read up on it yesterday.....I posted this link but didn't post it correctly.

[catnapper]

I'd go to war. I realize our country and freedoms need to be protected, and even if I did or did not agree with the reasoning behind any given war, I'd still choose war since I want to be one of the many protecting our freedoms. Some countries wouldn't give you a choice of war vs. jail - they'd just put a gun in your hand and send you to war.

Not only that, but once I return home, I am considered a hero (though this would not be the reasoning behind choosing war over jail) and can proudly dispaly my veteran status on resumes, etc. An ex-con? They are denied jobs for haven been in prison, they are looked down upon as deadbeats of society. No thanks - I'll be the hero who upholds our freedoms and protects those freedoms.

Now that said, would I join the military tomorrow to go to war? Not on your life! I am too much a wimp - I mourn over a squashed bug. I could never witness death, and could never inflict death myself. But given those two choices, I choose war.