Are soldiers simply idiots?
"There has seldom if ever a shortage of eager young males prepared to kill and die to preserve the security, comfort and prejudices of their elders, and what you call heroism is just an expression of this simple fact; there is never a scarcity of idiots."
Iain Banks
Please discuss your thoughts on this quote.
In the USA, the armed forces are made up of a majority of southern Americans from impoverished areas who would otherwise be unable to sustain themselves through gainful employment.
The armed forces provide an opportunity they would otherwise be denied due to local economics. Due to this most could give a rats ass about some conflict happening a world away.
Originally posted by theICONiac
In the USA, the armed forces are made up of a majority of southern Americans from impoverished areas who would otherwise be unable to sustain themselves through gainful employment.The armed forces provide an opportunity they would otherwise be denied due to local economics. Due to this most could give a rats ass about some conflict happening a world away.
So you are saying they are poor and ill educated?
Many are. They needs a secure a job that'll pay the bills.
As to that quote, it's a tad generalized. You could say one nation or side as a plethora of idiot who like to be soldiers, but what do other, less-idiotic nations do when those soldiers start attacking and invading? Not fight back because the concept of a soldier is inherently "idiotic"?
Originally posted by Reflection
So you are saying they are poor and ill educated?
I am sure the recruits (regardless of geographical location) who signed up looking for better opportunities in the armed forces aren't Havard graduates coming from affluent families (of course enlisting as an officer is a completely different ballgame).
It is done out of necessity.
Originally posted by Lord Lucien
Many are. They needs a secure a job that'll pay the bills.As to that quote, it's a tad generalized. You could say one nation or side as a plethora of idiot who like to be soldiers, but what do other, less-idiotic nations do when those soldiers start attacking and invading? Not fight back because the concept of a soldier is inherently "idiotic"?
I think the quote is more about questioning the values of previous generations, maybe....
Originally posted by COG Veteran
Was wondering what brought up such a strong question about the people who defend you on a daily basis.
You make an assumption 'veteran' that your belief I am defended on a daily basis by the military is one I hold and that your view is in fact correct that they are actively defending me and this is the purpose of most modern conflicts. None of these assumptions are held by me. The quote is also not by me.
Good glad I was correct. 😄
Cool, glad you recognize a force that actively defends you.
I know that quote isn't by you.
And for the record, no, I don't belive soldiers are idiots. I've seen many reasons and I wouldn't place a generalized answere to the question.
BTW, the "Veteran" in my name, is from a game, no I am not in the military.
It's kind of silly to make hasty generalizations like this. You could probably establish that your average military enlistee isn't as educated as, say, your average college student (duh), but it would be unfair to exceptions to the rule if you judged them on this vague pronouncement. Maybe some brilliant people just want to serve their country; maybe some want to pay their way through college. Perhaps others are just very patriotic, who knows?
Originally posted by COG Veteran
Good glad I was correct. 😄Cool, glad you recognize a force that actively defends you.
I know that quote isn't by you.
And for the record, no, I don't belive soldiers are idiots. I've seen many reasons and I wouldn't place a generalized answere to the question.
BTW, the "Veteran" in my name, is from a game, no I am not in the military.
I wouldn't place an 'answere' anywhere 'veteran', like your 'answere' your comprehension needs work 'veteran'. 😮💨
Originally posted by COG Veteran
"comprehension". 😆 You're the one who hasn't even answered his own question. lulz. So go ahead, tell me you're generalized answer.
It's not my question to answer 'veteran', hence the word 'discuss' and you completely misunderstand the quotes meaning. It's not 'you're generalized answer', you should have used 'your'... No wonder you don't even understand what is being asked 'veteran'. 🙁 😮💨
Originally posted by Reflection
It's not my question to answer 'veteran', hence the word discuss and you completely misunderstand its meaning. It's not 'you're generalized answer', you should have used 'your'... No wonder you don't even understand what is being asked 'veteran'. 🙁 😮💨
Lol, you are defeated so soon that you're resorting to insulting my grammar. Thats almost cute. 😂
And why don't I think soldiers are idiots? Cuz they do the shit that others aren't willing to. Wheather its because it runs in the family, steady job, love for one's country, or for the sheer experience for a totally different life. 💃
People! We are losing focus! Boy George sums it up very succinctly:
War war is stupid and people are stupid
And love means nothing in some strange quarters
War war is stupid and people are stupid
And I heard the banging of hearts and fingers
War!
People fill the world with narrow confidence
Like a child at birth, a man with no defence
What's mine's my own, I won't give it to you
No matter what you say, no matter what you do
Now we're fighting in our hearts
Fighting in the streets
Won't somebody help me?
War war is stupid and people are stupid
And love means nothing in some strange quarters
War war is stupid and people are stupid
And I heard the banging of hearts and fingers
War!
Man is far behind in the search of something new
Like a Philistine, we're burning witches too
This world of hate must be designed for you
It matters what you say, it matters what you do
Now we're fighting in our hearts
Fighting in the streets
Won't somebody help me?
War war is stupid and people are stupid
And love means nothing in some strange quarters
War war is stupid and people are stupid
And I heard the banging of hearts and fingers
War!
After the bird has flown
Walked ten thousand miles back home
You can't do that to me, no, you can't do that to me
You can't do that to me, no, you can't do that to me
War!
War!
In this heart of mine, I'll find a place for you
For black or white, for grown-up children too
Now we're fighting in our hearts
Fighting in the streets
Won't somebody help me?
War war is stupid and people are stupid
And love means nothing in some strange quarters
War war is stupid and people are stupid
And I heard the banging of hearts and fingers
No more war
say no more war
say war
I said war
No more war
say no more war
say war
Said no more war
I said no more war
Senso hant-ai
Senso hant-ai
Say no more war
Say no more war
Originally posted by Master Han
It's kind of silly to make hasty generalizations like this. You could probably establish that your average military enlistee isn't as educated as, say, your average college student (duh), but it would be unfair to exceptions to the rule if you judged them on this vague pronouncement. Maybe some brilliant people just want to serve their country; maybe some want to pay their way through college. Perhaps others are just very patriotic, who knows?
You don't think it's making a statement about the unquestioning compliance of some of the young to the values of previous generations?
I am not even going to quote 'veteran' as he has nothing of value to contribute in my opinion, he can barely string a sentence together..... Canon fodder at best. 🙂