reply to post by Floating thru Reality
Let me put this into very simple terms so we can put this little disagreement to bed. It's off-topic anyway...
From the tone of your posts, it sounds like you are more interested in being part of the problem, not trying to help fix it... I'm probably
wasting my time.
Sadly, you're not the only one that feels the way you apparently do, so I'm not singling you out... Consider this a group lesson in reality.
Those of us who have "been there, done that" can relate, but in that instance, I'm preaching to the choir.
Let's go back to Mogidishu, Somalia, circa 1994-5...
It is a dirty city, torn and ravaged by years of gang warfare, food shortages, and corrupt politicos and warlords. The smell is almost unbearable,
and the conditions are unlike anything found in even the worst slums in the US. It is truly an alien environment.
To make things even more surreal, bands of pubescents, male and female prowl the streets carrying Kalashnikovs, and even M16's... along with the
certainty that they are bulletproof and invincible. It's really truly sad, because in reality they are just looking for a feeling of belonging, as
well as trying to feed themselves and family. It's a true injustice, but it is what it is.
Here's the question, and I'd like you and all others of similar opinions that military members are irrational robotic murderers...
If one of these "innocent kids" opens up on you and your fire team from all directions, do you return fire? Do you try to reason with a hostile
individual that may or may not even speak your language? Do you offer quarter to them, due to their age, or lack of life experience?
Welcome to my world as a 19 year old "green" Marine.
As you can tell, I'm here to type this question, so you know what choices I made, and would again without hesitation. I suppose that makes me a bad
person, or worse, in your eyes.
I think however, if you were there, or a similar situation, your innate survival instinct and training would have taken over.
NOBODY wants to kill, but NOBODY wants to die even more.
It's quite simple really.
Now kindly get back on topic.
[edit on 9/7/09 by cbianchi513]


