RSSWar
Nov 04
An interesting idea was proposed in a book I’m reading called Humans. The story behind the book is that we make contact with another version of earth where Neadrathals evolved as the dominant species.
They are completely baffled by our wars. The thought of having constant wars where we wipe out millions of people blows their minds. One of them is taken to the Vietnam Memorial and after understanding what it was for, declares “This is where your President should declare war. He should be sure enough of his ideals that he’s willing to look at the memorial and declare he’s willing to repeat the same catasrophe again.”
Excellent idea. Imagine having to stare a grieving mother in the face, who lost a child to another war, and tell her you think it’s worth it to have another one.
So many conservatives talk about war like it’s a necessary evil and a reality. WE CREATE THAT NECESSARY EVIL AND THE REALITY. We, as humans, need to mature to the point where war is not even considered an option. I’m sure there’s some conservatives reading this and thinking “He’s just some bleeding heart liberal.” Let me ask you: do you like sending children off to die? Do you think it’s worth it to kill innocent civilians in another country so you have access to cheaper oil? If you answered yes to either of those questions I don’t want to be considered of the same species as you, and to be honest we need to get rid of you in order for humanity to progress.
Remember, PEOPLE are the only reality. Everything else – wars, politics, economies, etc – are the creations of PEOPLE and should never be considered a higher priority.
Nov 04, 2004 @ 10:45:28
Interesting comments. I am a soldier and I wished the world worked your way.
Unfortunately, there are people who do not and are more than willing to use violence to achieve their objectives. No amount of talking or appeasement will stop them. The thing that strikes me most about the war on terror is that it is so necessary, compared to other wars. I believe that our enemy so hates everything we are, that they cannot be negotiated with unless we surrender everything we are. Is this worth fighting for?
The difference between conservatives and liberals is that conservatives see the world as it is, liberals see the world as it could be.
I would love to live in your world, but I cannot ignore the real world. To do so would negate the chance of ever achieving your world.
Nov 04, 2004 @ 10:57:16
> I believe that our enemy so hates everything we are, that they cannot be negotiated with unless we surrender everything we are.
That’s where you are SO wrong, and why this current “war on terror” will ultimately fail. Open your eyes to the realities and you might understand them. It is such a cop-out to think they “hate everything we are.”
They hate the US because:
1. It has been messing with the countries in their region for decades. Overthrowing democratic governments, selling weapons to both sides of wars, etc.
2. It blindly supports Israel even when they’re clearly violating all kinds of human rights.
3. Now, with the ultimate arrogance, the US believes they can reshape the region in a different image without having been asked by the people in question.
As evidence that this war on terror isn’t working, please explain to me why the US admits that recruitment into terrorist groups is drastically rising?
And no, conservatives don’t see they world as it is – they see it how they want it to be seen. Right now they’ve got their heads buried in the sand because they don’t want to look at the truth – the real reasons why other people hate them. Some conservatives are finally pulling their heads out. I have heard several commentators say the magic words “It’s 3 years since 9/11 and we still don’t know why they hate us.” I know the truth will not be popular, the the reality will be much more painful if this blind “war on terror” continues.
Nov 04, 2004 @ 11:29:40
> Imagine having to stare a grieving mother in the
> face, who lost a child to another war, and tell her
> you think it’s worth it to have another one.
Are you really going to tell me that if Bush had stood there, he’d suddenly have had an attack of conscience and decide not to bomb Iraq, despite the opinions of his Cold-War-era cohorts? This is the man who started forging intelligence to justify the war in Iraq before 9/11/01 and probably knew then that the war would cost 100,000 Iraqi civilians their lives!
This is a man who lies on national television without concern for getting caught. This is a man who has flipped the finger to America’s long time allies with complete confidence in the ability of the US military to take on multiple concurrent wars simultaneously. This is a man who believes that all of his actions are supported or directed by God through his prayers. This is a man who is so confident in the support of his political base (rightly so, it turns out) that he doesn’t think twice about instigating the most aggressive and destructive environment, social, economic and foreign policies. This is a man who has not allowed a continuous string of failures to change his course one bit.
There is no reasoning with Bush. There is no changing his mind. No puppy-dog-eyed youngster or elaborate war memorial is going to give him an attack of conscience.
The only hope now is that Bush exhausts himself. Maybe the military comes back and says they’re stretched too thin to pursue more wars. Maybe the tax cuts, record deficits and exploding military costs collide and force him to slow down his plans.
Nov 04, 2004 @ 13:21:23
While I agree with the observations of Inferior Earth made by the author of Humans, his interpretation of the society of Superior Earth really misses the mark.
As Neanderthals, our brains are smaller and bodies larger than average Humans. The sloping brow of John Q. Neanderthal is constantly furrowed in concentration on the simplest of concepts. For those like myself, possessing the intelligence to learn to read and write coherently, the populace is a mindless tool to be easily manipulated by the propagandas of fear, hate and nationalism. Our world is constantly locked in a state of war. Borders exist only to provide a location for border skermishes. Enemies are chosen with little or no reason, provocation is barely necessary.
Our hulking, brutish civilians, are easily whipped into frenzy by public sporting events. Their aggression can be directed towards any ally or opponent the ruling class deems appropriate this month. We, of the literate class, see no reason to waste our breath with justification when a few well placed and oft repeated lies will do the trick.
Fortunately for you Humans, the ruling class of Inferior Earth is finally learning the primitive ways of the Neanderthal.
Nov 22, 2004 @ 11:00:48
Either we end wars or humanity ceases to exists. It’s really that simple. I find it impossible to justify the eradication of all civilization for ANY reason. Go ahead, make your wars, your time is limited.