Not extreme poverty, but enough to make people think they would be better off joining.
I think a lot of the people you're arguing with know and understand that. They just don't consider it to be a sufficient reason. It's known to everyone joining that war is about killing people.
While many soldiers are reachable, it's important to keep in mind what they did. I'm sure the ones that regret it certainly have it in mind at all times.
All this moral discussion isn't all that useful anyway. The central issue is that soldiers in America act as counter-revolutionary enforcers of empire, and it's natural to be suspicious of any who don't regret it.
Just upsets me when it feels as if no one is at least attempting to understand the point of view I have and am attempting to communicate. Maybe I am too hopeful that other veterans will see what I have seen or understand the lessons I have learned.
I just fills me with doomerism I guess. But I know we have had good faith discussion on other posts about this topic, and I appreciate you being able to clarify my points and give a fair critique of my argument comrade.
:solidarity: I think this is a difficult, emotionally charged topic for most people here, and that makes discussion of it often messy - and I don't exclude myself from that. I also think that many here actually agree on a lot of the core points, once the rhetoric dies down.
In any case, the fact that you participate in a party that has the goal of overthrowing the American state is, IMO, testament that you're discussing these points in good faith.
I know someone just saying it over the internet doesn’t mean much, but I promise these are all good faith arguments even if my wording is poor and my point doesn’t come across blatantly.
I’m not pro military (unless it’s the red army) and I’m certainly anti-imperialist. These topics as you said are emotionally charged for many, myself included, and it can always get messy.
I think a lot of the people you're arguing with know and understand that. They just don't consider it to be a sufficient reason. It's known to everyone joining that war is about killing people.
While many soldiers are reachable, it's important to keep in mind what they did. I'm sure the ones that regret it certainly have it in mind at all times.
All this moral discussion isn't all that useful anyway. The central issue is that soldiers in America act as counter-revolutionary enforcers of empire, and it's natural to be suspicious of any who don't regret it.
All valid points that I can’t argue with.
Just upsets me when it feels as if no one is at least attempting to understand the point of view I have and am attempting to communicate. Maybe I am too hopeful that other veterans will see what I have seen or understand the lessons I have learned.
I just fills me with doomerism I guess. But I know we have had good faith discussion on other posts about this topic, and I appreciate you being able to clarify my points and give a fair critique of my argument comrade.
:solidarity: I think this is a difficult, emotionally charged topic for most people here, and that makes discussion of it often messy - and I don't exclude myself from that. I also think that many here actually agree on a lot of the core points, once the rhetoric dies down.
In any case, the fact that you participate in a party that has the goal of overthrowing the American state is, IMO, testament that you're discussing these points in good faith.
I know someone just saying it over the internet doesn’t mean much, but I promise these are all good faith arguments even if my wording is poor and my point doesn’t come across blatantly.
I’m not pro military (unless it’s the red army) and I’m certainly anti-imperialist. These topics as you said are emotionally charged for many, myself included, and it can always get messy.
:stalin-shining: hell yeah
I think in the end, there was some productive discussion, and I understand where you're coming from with this. Hope you're doing OK.