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Current Events » in reply to re: Yer missing my points here Tom

re: Yer missing my points here Tom
Davin L. — (archived)

Fighting survival means, precisely: Fighting for survival.

I don't think it can be more clear.

G wrote: "A soldier CAN avoid a war [in various ways that result in his life not being in danger- but perhaps one option is he will spend some time in prison] so that he doesn't later find myself in a situation in which he must kill in order to survive. Is this a moral decision? "

Sure, its a moral decision- But if its right or wrong depends on the conflict. Obviously, a German Soldier in the 1930's doing this when Germany was on an aggressive rampage... Well I'm sure you could agree that that was a morally correct/good/right decision.

In general, though, I am not arguing about individuals, I am arguing about Nation-States, and when they are justified (morally) in acts of war. So this is tangential.

"Obviously, this kind of question depends on specific circumstances- and you can write entire books on these circumstances. Therefore you can easily duck the question and since you usually duck these questions, I'll frame it in general terms [to make it slightly harder to duck]. "On average" are soldiers that take actions to avoid war so they aren't placed in the position of having to kill, doing something moral. "On average" are soldiers that willing to go to war and as result kill the enemy, doing something moral."

Name, cite and produce one instance of me legitimately ducking, and i'll withdraw this statement: you are lying through your teeth about my behavior and integrity. Not answering rhetorical questions, and not indulging someone trying to misdirect an argument is NOT ducking.

My general notions about the morality of soldiers, which is different from nation-states, is that they in general, short of war crimes, have the moral obligation to do whatever it takes to survive and where possible help their comrades survive. Those that intentionally give their lives for their fellow soldiers, or an objective, have gone beyond the call of duty, and I think of them as heroes.

I don't even try to judge, say, the soldiers who shot the hell out of that van of Iraqi Women and Children several months ago- they were doing what they had to do. All I care about in those situations is that they come home alive.

"As far as the "echo", I missed the part where you said "some warfare is moral". "

what part of "fighting for survival is moral" do you not understand? Do you want to indulge in deconstruction at this point?

Davin L.

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