I didn't whatch the video cos I dont hold with violence of any sort (even though I play BF2 every day lol), but there are always two sides to a story and I don't think the media or the public really get what goes on with soldiers. I would never consider joining the army myself but I've known people who've been in it for years, and they've got some scary stories to tell that atleast helps to understand the state of mind their in in a situation like that.
Imagine you're 18 years old, had 3 months basic training and get dumped in Iraq with no real preperation for whats to come. You're patrolling a street and suddenly you here gunfire. It might not be hostile, could just be some locals shooting off in some ritual, but you have no idea whats going on so you duck your head and point your M16 at anything that moves. Thats a true story a mate told me when he tried to explain why squaddies back home get in fights all the time, when you're in a war zone you act first think later, and unfortunately most soldiers take that attitude home with them, not really their fault is it?
When you have to fight for your life, only experience can help you deal with it in a 'proper' way. The problem is most troops are not experienced and too young so its not fair to put all the blame on them. No I don't condone what they do, fighting violence with violence will only result in more violence, but the mindset you're in in a situation like that is hard for anyone to deal with, especially when you're 20 odd and haven't really experienced life yet (i'm only 22 and wouldn't even pretend I could deal with it properly). Ultimately most of the soldiers in the army don't belong there, but as the majority of people are too sensible to put themselves through that what can we do?
PS sorry if all thats a bit waffled and incoherent, im probably too drunk to be engaging in such a deep conversation lol
Last edited by BellusEndus (2006-04-01 15:22:20)