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Every opinion article I read in the paper that mentions the military calls all the soldiers "heroes". Like their collective experience earns them a generalized title.
I would argue the no soldier is a hero until he does something heroic, whether it be rescuing wounded while almost being killed or sacrificing himself so others live, or whatever. Those serving in a combat zone are brave, but they're not all heroes.
Originally posted by Lord Lucien
Every opinion article I read in the paper that mentions the military calls all the soldiers "heroes". Like their collective experience earns them a generalized title.I would argue the no soldier is a hero until he does something heroic, whether it be rescuing wounded while almost being killed or sacrificing himself so others live, or whatever. Those serving in a combat zone are brave, but they're not all heroes.
I think Universal hero by Donovon still says it beautifully.
Originally posted by inimalist
yessoldiers have no choice in who they fight
see: Ross Kemp in Afghanistan and Ross Kemp Returns to Afghanistan
What's your point? Kids say, "I was just following orders". Still makes a war crime a war crime or a criminal war a criminal war.
Guantanamo, Auschwitz.....etc.
The 'kids' who 'join up' really know what the hell they are choosing...
Originally posted by Free_Speech
No, they were just following orders..... Nuremberg
what about it?
I don't think I've said anything that even remotely implies that people who commit war crimes should not be charged
For instance, I also think Firemen are heroes. If a fireman raped a woman he was supposed to be saving, obviously I think he should be charged.
Originally posted by inimalist
what about it?I don't think I've said anything that even remotely implies that people who commit war crimes should not be charged
For instance, I also think Firemen are heroes. If a fireman raped a woman he was supposed to be saving, obviously I think he should be charged.
Firemen don't blindly follow orders.....
i don't know if that is true
also, following orders has no impact on whether or not I think a person deserves the title hero
I get you want to make your little rant against whatever, but it helps if you read what i am saying
... also, iirc, Neuremburg laws don't apply to low level soldiers, because, yes, they were only following orders. It was only people who were involved in giving the orders that were charged, afaik
i think ppl who put on a uniform for certain reasons may be noble but not heroes.
joining the military to protect your land and family is noble, but ppl who run the government placing them in certain situations are not.
a Staff Sgt once told me after i asked what's the point of having honor and living by a code of conduct if the leaders who order us dont know the concept nor care.
he said you dont fight for them, you fight for those beside you.
the only time i found myself proud of my actions is when i did the right thing wearing my uniform and upholding my code of conduct.
i never felt like a hero b/c i am not... i also felt ashamed for my country and those in power and i often would try to remember that we were not the same.... those who disgrace my country's principles and my military branch are separate ppl. if anything i often felt angered and insulted that government officials and disgraced men and women in uniformed stained my country's principles/uniform's reputation.
Originally posted by inimalist
i don't know if that is truealso, following orders has no impact on whether or not I think a person deserves the title hero
I get you want to make your little rant against whatever, but it helps if you read what i am saying
... also, iirc, Neuremburg laws don't apply to low level soldiers, because, yes, they were only following orders. It was only people who were involved in giving the orders that were charged, afaik
- I'm aware of what was said at Nuremberg, why repeat what I told you back?
I read what you were saying... I found it simplistic and naive.
According to Dictionary.com's top 2 defintions:
1.a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities.
2.a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or idea
With definition 1, you just need to show some sort of courage. Oh, and you have to be a man.
And option 2 is just saying that a hero is based on perception. So, to Afghanis, US soldiers are probably not seen as heroes anymore than the Taliban are.
Originally posted by Liberator
According to Dictionary.com's top 2 defintions:1.a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities.
2.a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideaWith definition 1, you just need to show some sort of courage. Oh, and you have to be a man.
And option 2 is just saying that a hero is based on perception. So, to Afghanis, US soldiers are probably not seen as heroes anymore than the Taliban are.
That's the problem with dictionaries my firend, they are autistic in their literalism.