"For democracy, any man would give his only begotten son." How does that statement make you feel?

[Selatius]

Poll question: "For democracy, any man would give his only begotten son." How does that statement make you feel?

The line originated in the movie Johnny Got His Gun.

http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0067277/

Joe: When it comes my turn, will you want me to go?
Father: For democracy, any man would give his only begotten son.

If somebody uttered that line today to you, how would you feel about it?

[bryant69]

1. The larger question is, is it true?

Or to be more precise, should it be true. If democracy is threatened, should be willing to send our sons and daughters into harms way to protect it?

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[Selatius]

4. You bring up a good point, but I left that out on purpose.

The poll was meant to guage a person's feeling on the statement, their gut reactions, not whether it inherently holds merit or not.

[pocoloco]

5. Of course not!!

I should be treated like a radiation spill or accident, the oldest goes in first!

[Annces]

2. men and sons

where do the women fit in. :evilgrin:

[wuushew]

3. Amerika had no dog in the fight which was WWI

I can't really say any of the European empires were any less barbaric than their peers. All were combinations of various colonial republics and constitutional monarchies.

Whose freedom were we fighting for? Certainly not our own.

[Critters2]

6. What about one's only begotten twins? nt

[StatGirl]

7. Sucks to be the son

I feel contemptuous about the statement.

If the father/parent wants to lay down his own life, let him do it. Children aren't the possessions of their parents, and parents don't get to sacrifice them.

[Laha]

8. The idea makes me sad

No father who would so willing give his son up that way can be a good man. Personally, I believe it should be something along the lines of 'Any man would give of himself, so that his only begotten son may enjoy the benefits of democracy.'

As it is presented there, I see nothing but a hypocritical chicken hawk. If you support a war, sign yourself up. If your son supports a war, support him. No man has the right to give another just because they believe it is right. That is a personal choice for everyone alive.

[Jack Rabbit]

9. Confused

To clarify, it may be -- and my own life would be -- a worthwhile sacrfice for Democracy, but not for Bush's misconception of it.

Democracy is a state where:

• Citizenship is universal. Each person born within the boundaries of the state is a citizen, as is one born abroad to at least one citizen parent or who swears allegiance to the state in a rite of naturalization.
• Citizenship is equal. Each citizen has an equal opportunity to participate in and influence public affairs. Every adult citizen shall be enfranchised with the right to vote. Decisions are made by a majority voting based on the principle of one man/one vote.
• Citizenship is inalienable. A guaranteed set of civil liberties is in place to assure full and open public discourse of civic affairs. No citizen may be stripped of his citizenship or otherwise punished by the state for expressing any point of view, no matter how unpopular or even absurd.

[Book Lover]

10. Other: Contemptuous of the presumption of the man making it

How about the man give his own self, rather than the life of another?

[Crunchy Frog]

11. Makes me feel creepy. n/t

[MrSlayer]

12. Hold my breath as I wish for death.

Johnny doesn't fare too well in that flick. Metallica made a great song based on it called "One".


One

I can't remember anything
Can't tell if this is true or dream
Deep down inside I feel to scream
This terrible silence stops me

Now that the war is through with me
I'm waking up I can not see
That there is not much left of me
Nothing is real but pain now

Hold my breath as I wish for death
Oh please god,wake me

Back in the womb its much too real
In pumps life that I must feel
But can't look forward to reveal
Look to the time when I'll live

Fed through the tube that sticks in me
Just like a wartime novelty
Tied to machines that make me be
Cut this life off from me

Hold my breath as I wish for death
Oh please god,wake me
Now the world is gone I'm just one
Oh god,help me! Hold my breath as I wish for death
Oh please god help me

Darkness imprisoning me
All that I see
Absolute horror
I cannot live
I cannot die
Trapped in myself
Body my holding cell

Landmine has taken my sight
Taken my speech
Taken my hearing
Taken my arms
Taken my legs
Taken my soul
Left me with life in hell

[pampango]

13. Are there things worth dying for? Sure. Not comfortable with the idea of

offering my son, daughter or any one other than myself for the sake of any idea that I believe in.