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The troops example is a tricky one. Many people disagree with war as a way to solve problems, but respect that soldiers aren't actually responsible for said war

The troops example is a tricky one. Many people disagree with war as a way to solve problems, but respect that soldiers aren't actually responsible for said wars, and are doing a horrible job in horrible circumstances. Thus you can support the troops, but deplore the actions of those who caused them to be there in the first case. I do agree that volunteering at a veteran's hospital would be a perfect way to contribute though. Volunteering at any hospital would hopefully be a useful contribution to society!

wcummings 11y ago
>respect that soldiers aren't actually responsible for said wars, and are doing a horrible job in horrible circumstances. This doesn't really hold up, there are more dangerous jobs than "soldier" and they get no respect. No holidays. No parades. No ceremony. Militarism is a cult.
- Intermernet 11y ago
  Militarism is a cult, and there are worse jobs, however blaming the soldiers for wars doesn't solve the problem. It's like blaming bank managers for the state of the economy. Idealistically, if you could convince all of the soldiers on both sides to not fight, then you stop the wars, but realistically you need to convince the populations and leaders of the states they are fighting on behalf of that war is a bad idea in the first place. This cult is propagated by civilians more than soldiers.
  - wcummings 11y ago
    I didn't mean to say anyone should blame the soldiers, just that we shouldn't glorify soldiers and the military. >This cult is propagated by civilians more than soldiers. Exactly! I think we're in agreement.
LyndsySimon 11y ago
> I do agree that volunteering at a veteran's hospital would be a perfect way to contribute though. I'd like to explore this statement a moment - know that I mean absolutely no offense. Would you agree that volunteering at a hospital for wounded ISIS fighters is similarly noble?
- Intermernet 11y ago
  I think that helping people who are suffering is a good idea. Nobility doesn't really enter in to it. If you put a US doctor into a hospital for wounded ISIS fighters they'd probably help. Humans are humans.

wcummings 11y ago

>respect that soldiers aren't actually responsible for said wars, and are doing a horrible job in horrible circumstances. This doesn't really hold up, there are more dangerous jobs than "soldier" and they get no respect. No holidays. No parades. No ceremony. Militarism is a cult.

Intermernet 11y ago
Militarism is a cult, and there are worse jobs, however blaming the soldiers for wars doesn't solve the problem. It's like blaming bank managers for the state of the economy. Idealistically, if you could convince all of the soldiers on both sides to not fight, then you stop the wars, but realistically you need to convince the populations and leaders of the states they are fighting on behalf of that war is a bad idea in the first place. This cult is propagated by civilians more than soldiers.
- wcummings 11y ago
  I didn't mean to say anyone should blame the soldiers, just that we shouldn't glorify soldiers and the military. >This cult is propagated by civilians more than soldiers. Exactly! I think we're in agreement.

LyndsySimon 11y ago

> I do agree that volunteering at a veteran's hospital would be a perfect way to contribute though. I'd like to explore this statement a moment - know that I mean absolutely no offense. Would you agree that volunteering at a hospital for wounded ISIS fighters is similarly noble?

Intermernet 11y ago
I think that helping people who are suffering is a good idea. Nobility doesn't really enter in to it. If you put a US doctor into a hospital for wounded ISIS fighters they'd probably help. Humans are humans.