Just some thoughts ...
First, <b>tiassa</b>, I thought it was pretty cool that you listed this as post #1776. Very appropriate, of course. But it had another feel to it as well. Just as a tangent real quick, I think that you're the only poster that pull this off ...: "Back in 1592 (post number), I wrote about the legalization of marijuana ..." It just amazes the hell out of me that you have written so much. It's posters like you and <b>Cris</b> and <b>Emerald</b> which have made me realize that I could try so much harder when I post something.
Patriotism: what does it get you and what does it cost, as an individual or society?
My grandfather served in WWII as a belly gunner in the B-1 bomber (not sure on the technical name). He was your typical dashing young man, smoked cigarettes constantly, and quite the ladies man. He settled down, found religion, founded a family, and quit smoking--cold turkey (always amazes me that he could do that). As long as I can remember, he always tried to do good to others. Tried to treat everyone fairly; of course, he had his idiosyncrasies, which were traceable to his generation. He was basically the closest to a father I'll acknowledge. Damn good man.
When we, my brothers and I, would ask him about his experiences in the War, he <b>never</b> volunteered anything. (We only knew about the belly gunner position from our grandmother--and that's all she's said on the matter). I learned from his choice not to relive those experiences through narrative that my grandpa did not like what happened in the war. That sunk in.
My uncle (same grandfather's son) served in the Vietnam War. He went and experienced all the horrors of war over in that region of the world. He came back nearly devastated, emotionally and spiritually. He became heavily involved in cocaine use, went through a couple marriages (managed to have two great kids as far as I know), and delved into alcoholism. Eventually, he managed to subdue the cravings for cocaine, which increased his alcohol bingeing. Gradually, this, too, got under a feasible amount of control. There was obvious pain in his eyes whenever I caught a glimpse of him at some of our family gatherings, as if his thoughts were straying towards his memories of the war. He had a near god-like respect for my grandfather. Neither, as far as I know, ever discussed openly their experiences in their respective wars. Which sunk in further.
At one point in my life (an indecisive part), I had the option to go into the armed services. I weighed my options and considered. The idea of killing another human being weighed heavily on me and I couldn't justify it.
I think too many people glorify killing and lessen the emotionality of murder. "Defend your country!" is the slogan that is touted as a patriotic motto for the naive. Instead of the country asking what it can do to help us, we're expected to voluntarily come up with means to help the country. I, too, am against conscription. As the article you provided said:
We Americans claim to be a peace-loving people. We hate bloodshed; we are opposed to violence. Yet we go into spasms of joy over the possibility of projecting dynamite bombs from flying machines upon helpless citizens. We are ready to hang, electrocute, or lynch anyone, who, from economic necessity, will risk his own life in the attempt upon that of some industrial magnate.
I have a younger brother (much younger than me actually) who aspires to enter the armed forces, especially a green beret. Hopefully he'll outgrow the ambition. Because, to him, perhaps killing another person, as long as they're different, is justified by the State.
I believe that the more someone seeks to understand his enemy, the less he will have the desire to kill him. Doesn't mean he will side with his point of view, but it just means that there's one less person that's heaven-bent on killing.
In another thread, you wrote that most likely a lot of us has forgotten what the reason was we had a revolution in the first place. I agree with you. It is so much easier to sit back and allow someone to rule over you, thumbscrew and all, than to stand up and exercise your rights. And about the part of coming full circle, you couldn't be more on target, I'd say.
Patriotism, to me, is like respect. If someone's continually shitting down my own shorts, it's a little hard for me to respect them.
thanks,
prag