"Ah, you miserable creatures! You who think that you are so great! You who judge humanity to be so small! You who wish to reform everything! Why don't you reform yourselves? That task would be sufficient enough." -Frederick Bastiat
Those who are willing to lay down their lives for an idea as obscure and ill defined as patriotism or nationalism get what they deserve. In combat, ideas of country go out the window and lives are lain down not for a flag, but to protect the lives of those to your right and left. What brings people to the point of serving is as broad of a spectrum as the spectrum of human condition. Some really do join out of patriotic fervor, most join because service offers a chance at a better life. In the end, none of those reasons matter and those that do end up dying, for whatever reason or motive, end up lumped together as heroes willing to die for their country, even if untrue. Defining them as heroes serves the dual purpose of enticing new recruits blinded by patriotism and the thought of glory, and allowing the politicians and the populace they serve to sleep better at night. If the truth about war were told, no more wars would be fought except by madmen and sociopaths.
I've never been good at explaining things, so I wont comment on what you said. I was actually mostly agreeing with the "Fight for the men next to you" but apparently I was too lazy to edit.
shifty how can you agree with that but then be so patriotic and aspire to join the military for nationalist reasons?
doesn't that classify you as a "madman" or a "sociopath"?
I think his patriotism is simply compensation for being an awkward teenager who has never really fit in. The camaraderie and instant respect generated by military service appeals to the type.
"Ah, you miserable creatures! You who think that you are so great! You who judge humanity to be so small! You who wish to reform everything! Why don't you reform yourselves? That task would be sufficient enough." -Frederick Bastiat
shifty how can you agree with that but then be so patriotic and aspire to join the military for nationalist reasons?
doesn't that classify you as a "madman" or a "sociopath"?
I think his patriotism is simply compensation for being an awkward teenager who has never really fit in. The camaraderie and instant respect generated by military service appeals to the type.
You're just proving my point, blind unthinking allegiance. And you have no idea what you're talking about when you refer to me.
Now explain how dying in Somalia is in any way a patriotic act.
All I have ever seen of you is trolling, anti-American spittle, and anti-Israeli drivel. Give me an example of something you believe in, something you care about, that is not driven by fear or hate. I have plenty of proof right here on these forums of my assertions - where is your proof to the contrary?
And, since you apparently didn't watch or didn't comprehend the point of the above video, I'll do something stereotypically American and sure to piss you off, by linking more of the same 'banal American pop Hollywood noise'. Y'know, to further prove your point.
Uzique wrote:
im sorry, but you're equating dying for brotherhood/comrades/social ties as the same as 'dying for your country'.
they are simply not the same.
if i died for my brother, i wouldn't be dying for merry olde england by proxy. not even part of the thought process.
You put on a uniform because that is your home, that is where your family lives, and (though it may have flaws) the ideals and principles of this country are worth preserving. It's not perfect, but it's a whole hell of a lot better than most of the alternatives.
There is only one person on this planet that I would outright give my life for the slimmest chance of saving, and that's my daughter. However, there are a good number of principles, ideals, and people I would risk my life for.