Would you desert or die if given the choice

DreamTone7 · Joined: 20 Sep 2002 Posts: 2571

FWIW, in most countries of the world (not the US, though), it is a requirement to do at least a few years of military service for males...a reason to be glad you're a girl if you have a poor opinion of military service.

Military service (not war) is good for young men...it helps them grow up faster and with a sense of responsibility and teamwork. But it is kind of like a marriage, IMHO. You don't just bail out when the going gets tough. A deserter will live with the results of his actions for the rest of his/her life...I don't know if it would be worth it.

questionnaire · Joined: 29 May 2003 Posts: 640

I agree about teamwork and responsibility, but is it not possible to organize non-military national service? The philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein worked in a hospital here in Newcastle during the war, and he said that it taught him a lot.

HKRockChick · No More Peas! Joined: 25 Nov 2003 Posts: 1513

and in the US (and most countries) a lot of rich kids get to wiggle their way out, while the poor kids need the military for education. I'd rather do hospital or community service. There's plenty of ways you can get discipline - strict parents for example... heh

I remember once, my sister (all of 7) couldnt find her socks and was in a hurry to dress for school. She asked my dad to find her socks for her... his response (yeah, he did twinkle) was "why should I find your socks, did I wear them last?" hahahahaha

Discipline? try growing up in a convent school... :wgrin

HKRockChick · No More Peas! Joined: 25 Nov 2003 Posts: 1513

Quote:
A deserter will live with the results of his actions for the rest of his/her life...I don't know if it would be worth it.

Well if he wasnt convinced of his mission in the first place my guess is he'd be grateful to be alive. Deserting for desertion's sake is one thing, but to have a choice between that and beheading? I've visited some boards and some say that he should be court martialed and put to death! Death before dishonour!!!! I can't understand that.

HKRockChick · No More Peas! Joined: 25 Nov 2003 Posts: 1513

Dont know how true this story is, whether he deserted before, after or both times (heh), but if it was my life (well first off I would not join the army, ANYBODY's bloody army) I would desert in a flash.

www.iht.com/articles/527322.html

Too bad the poor Korea and innocent civilians had no army to desert. :bawling

Galmin · The King has spoken! Joined: 30 Dec 2001 Posts: 1711

Quote:
Would you desert or die if given the choice

I would die.

It's a matter of sense of duty. A soldier cannot afford the luxury of even considering desertation. It is, so to speak, not an option.

Wierd, huh?

DreamTone7 · Joined: 20 Sep 2002 Posts: 2571

Wanna know what's even more weird? I agree with Galmin! :wgrin

HKRockChick · No More Peas! Joined: 25 Nov 2003 Posts: 1513

I guess its a matter of perspective. I don't want to die, and I wouldn't engage in physical combat. I don't think any war is worth that. :dunno

But I see what you're saying, the sense of duty. :hm

I think I'd desert. maybe maybe not. The way I feel now, I totally understand this guy.

:fg

bbchris · Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2004 6:13 pm Post subject: Re: wheeeeeee

Difficult question. I think in Israel, women have to serve in the army too, did I remember that right? Do Palestinian women have to?

I think the army is a great troupe to join if there is zero chance of going to war. You can learn lots of skills and meet people and visit places. To learn to kill is a bummer though, kind of goes against the Ten Commandments - well at least #1!!

HKRockChick · No More Peas! Joined: 25 Nov 2003 Posts: 1513

and unless my loss of life counted for something (like I became a martyr or an icon) I'd desert. and I'd quite happily live with it too.

I just don't think any state/religion is worth dying for. Now if I had to give my life for a loved one, that might be a different thing :dunno

Data Thieves · Joined: 27 May 2004 Posts: 53

I would never offer my body/soul to a state or religion either,

Quote:
Now if I had to give my life for a loved one, that might be a different thing

"Would you kill another for a loved one????"

HKRockChick · No More Peas! Joined: 25 Nov 2003 Posts: 1513

I would disarm somebody if I saw him attacking someone (if I was in a position to), but I would not kill.

Especially not in cold blooded revenge.

I dont believe in the death penalty either.

DreamTone7 · Joined: 20 Sep 2002 Posts: 2571

I believe in the death penalty for some...but I honestly wish they would instead put people who fall into this category on a deserted island with each other, supply them with enough food/livestock to support themselves, and ring the island with mines and man-eating sharks. For people who choose to ignore societies rules, I think it a fitting punishment to live with others who think the same way that they do. Serial-killers, terrorists and canibals would fit the category from my perspective. Then we could do away with the death penalty entirely.