When was war not ugly?

[madmunchie]

There are horrific things done during war time - Abu Garibe. Viet Nam had its horrors. Did WWII, how about WWI? Did horrible things happen then? I mean acts commited by soldiers. It seems to me that any time you open the Pandora's box and go into war, HORRIBLE THINGS HAPPEN. That is why we should never go to war unless it is absolutely necessary.

Do the Horrible things done by our soldiers get more attention because the war itself in unpopular and unnecessary OR are all wars pretty much the same. International law not followed, torture, civilians being killed needlessly...?

I get the feeling that if the war is largely considered necessary, some of the horrible things done in war are not as focused on because people are more concerned with the big picture, where as in an unpopular war, people are outraged because of the lack of reason to be doing any of the maiming, torturing and killing.

So to be focused on the soldiers is really distracting because it isn't the soldiers doing something so different, as it is that what the soldiers are doing are less tolerated. The soldiers in Vietnam really got treated horribly because the war was unpopular, it wasn't their fault, unspeakable things happen in war - all war. I just hope that the soldiers from Iraq are not treated as horribly - now and in the future...

Don't you agree? Or don't you agree?

[HysteryDiagnosis]

1. When was committing murder an acceptable behavior?? Never. n/t

[SlipperySlope]

2. War has always been ugly...

I don't care if you are talking about the Peloponnesian War, the US Civil War, or the Gulf War.

War is the ugliest thing that two peoples can get involved with. It is the complete breakdown of civil relations, and the acceptance of the horrible.

In the days of mercenaries, I don't think I would have much sympathy for the soldier.

But today, remember, we have citizen-soldiers. All of our troops volunteered to serve our country, volunteered to subject themselves to civilian control, and did the right thing and went where "we" sent them.

Now, our duty is twofold. First; To regain control of the civilian leadership, so we can bring them home. Second; to respect them for their duty and sacrifice, even if we personally think that sacrifice was misspent.

Just my 2c.

[madmunchie]

7. Thank you, great answer.

[Iblis]

3. A lot of it has to do with the times we live in...

And, yes, the media.

--There's a big difference between having the war reported in weekly newsreels and nightly radio broadcasts and having it served up 24/7 in living color.

--People are just plain impatient. If TV can solve problems in 30-60 minutes and we can make popcorn in 5, we have the tendency to tire of anything tough fairly quickly if it doesn't have a big or quick payoff.



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Bad things happen and they always have. War brings out the worst in people. Back in the day, people either clammed up about it and had bad dreams or told whispered tales of atrocities commited on the battlefield. TV put everything right out in front, starting with Viet Nam. Now, as I think Richard Marcinko put it, you could realistically have a man die in Iraq and immediately have the family comment on how they feel.

[uppityperson]

4. War is horrible on many levels. I don't understand you point beyond this

Don't focus on individuals or soldiers? Treat returning vets decently (as we are doing)? War is hell?I don't understand. Thanks.

[madmunchie]

6. When the Vietnam Vets came home they were not treated well

I don't want to see this happen to the troops in Iraq. In WWII troops came home to ticker tape parades. They were truly honored. I'm afraid that the troops are left holding the bag for failed policies and illegal wars initiated by Corporate and WH greed. They were in Nam and I hope that it doesn't happen in Iraq. If we leave Iraq and Iraq fails (likely) it won't be the soldiers fault, if we get more horror stories on atrocities committed in Iraq by our troops, it still isn't the troops fault, it is the decision makers at the very top. In Abu Garibe, who was punished? The lowest on the totem pole, not the ones responsible. I just hope that we all remember who really is responsible.

Secondly, are people getting worse in general? Are wars getting even worse with torture, civilian deaths, dishonoring of soldiers? In a way I kind of think that maybe wars are getting worse. That people are getting less humane and more brutal. With increased weapon capacity, comes more ability to cause more death without having to look your enemy in the face.

[Rocknrule]

5. Uh, in Star Wars and Halo

That's all I can think of