Is war ever worth the cost of human lives and the experience of fighting in a war?
95280
"For those who haven't fought, freedom has a flavor the protected will never know."
838037
The purpose of war is not to win.\nThe state of war is an end in itself.\nWar gives unlimited powers to the executive and galvanises the poulation behind a common cause. It is desirable for governments to wage wars.\n\nRead 1984 by George Orwell for a more elegant explaination.
73290
EnigmaticEncounter asked:  Why see humans killing each others on screen, for any possible reason?  Can't we leave in a state of peace and harmony?\n\n\nwell, personally, i would much rather have our society's emotions wounded by onscreen violence than have our society's children (for it is they who fight and die) wounded by real violence.  \n\ni believe that many people who are anti-war today are so because of the often graphic and disturbing depictions of war in film.  in the past, anti-war voices often came from those who had *been there*.  many war films of the last 30 years have tried to realistially portray modern mechanized warfare - fast, violent, arbitrary, and dehumanizing - and when successful, a film transports all of us there, into the middle of the horror.\n\nindeed, were it not for the peaceful voices among us, informed by film, we might be deeply involved in many disastrous conflicts, and many of us who are alive today might otherwise be dead or dying on a field in north korea.
784400
It is not worth it, nor was it ever worth it. We call this the "War on Terror", yet we have yet to go after those responsible for 9/11. All these lives lost, families ruined, money spent and we haven't accomplished a dang thing.
985808
I have not lost a loved one but my son is serving in Iraq. If he died in this war I would protest the White House. Camp out on his lawn until he sees me and explains why?\n\nI do not believe this war to be just or right. We invaded another country without the UN behind us and without good justification. Losing my son would never be worth it. If I lost him in protecting our borders and our country from invasion that is different. \n\nI do not sleep well. But my sons destiny was always to go into the military and so I have supported him since he was 12 and decided to get in an Air Force Aux to start his life as a soldier. He has always connected to it. It was in his blood as God intended.\nHe serves all Americans with a happy heart. He does not agree with the war but he does what if expected. If he helps one soldier saves one life in Iraq it is worth it.\n\nHe is there for a reason.  The reason was to save many many lives, his whole squaron. He spent his first 6 months there transporting military equipment in caravans across Iraq. Did he tell me the constant Dangers, no, he knew I could not handle it and would never sleep a wink. Instead he did his duty. He lead his troops across enemy territory many times, not sleeping for 36 hours at time, just to make sure they were all safe. His bravery was relentless.\nHe comes home soon and is getting a Bronze Star for his bravery. I am proud not that he went to Iraq to invade their country but that my sons role was to save many soldiers lives. As an officer he did his job. And will he go back. I am sure he will do more that one tour. But God has a plan for him a destiny that he needs to fulfill. I will not stand in his way but I will worry no matter what. I love him.
723092
No.  Can't think that self-actualization came into play in that war.  Perhaps safety needs were the main focus for those that were fighting.
658589
"The price of freedom is eternal vigilance."--\nThomas Jefferson \n\nPeace is won through war, and can only be truly appreciated after it has been fought, bled, and died for. Being a pacifist will make you a victim. We can't just be the "nice guy" to the world and expect to be respected or taken seriously. Would you respect someone who just kisses everyone's a*s, even after he has been repeatedly kicked in the balls? I want peace (believe it or not), but not at the expense of our national sovereignty and dignity. Simply bowing to the demands of dictators and terrorists to avoid war isn't peace, that is scarcely better than slavery. I would rather die a free man with a gun in my hands than live for a hundred years by our enemy's permission. \n\nREMEMBER 9/11\nNEVER FORGIVE! NEVER FORGET!\nPEACE THROUGH VICTORY!
1178074
Been there, done that, got the T-shirt and the retirement.\n\nYou do what you have to do to survive, and make sure your buddy survives.  No soldier in the world really likes war, because the soldier is the one who will suffer the most from it.  But, believe it or not, there are times when a war is both justified and necessary, no matter what the mainstream media, or the opposition political party, or college professors, or any other nay-sayers think.
131964
As long as humanity exists, as long as the process of development goes on, as long as the quest for survival and the urge for superiority exists, wars will go on. No one knows about the third world war, but the fourth world war shall be fought be sickles and stones. We are really near to the Third World War.
526236
War is regrettable in most any circumstance. I am a veteran, and to see my brethren have to lay down their lives is never something that is easy to deal with. HOWEVER, in the world situation today, terrorism is something that must be battled HEAD ON. We can not sit back passively and wait to be struck again. While war is something that is hard to look at, many times it is necessary. In battling for preserving our safety, it is necessary in today's world that we battle those who would commit terrorism, and those who would openly support it to strike at the United States. While I hope the war ends as quickly as possible, I do not wish for our troops to leave until stability is achieved to a large degree in Iraq. The best hope for more stability in the Middle East is to have a functioning government that is by the people and for the people. Freedom is contagious, and hopefully those in other Middle Eastern countries see and feel the benefits, and strive towards a free and open government in the other countries they reside in. The tide of freedom is a strong one, and much like the ocean it is hard to hold back.\n\nSo support the war effort, and hope for it to continue as long as it needs to, but not longer than it needs to. Pray for the concept of free government to spread like wildfire in the Middle East, so that the entire world is a safer place, and a better place for all peoples.
843917
War is murder. It has never solved anything. It should be forever abolished. \n\nLast night I had the strangest dream. A dream, I've never known. I dreamed I saw a mighty room, filled with women and men, and the paper they were signing said, they'd never fight again. And when the paper was all signed and a million copies made, they all joined hands and bowed their heads and grateful prayers were prayed. And the people in the streets below were dancing 'round and 'round while guns and swords and uniforms lay scattered on the ground.\n\nSee how simple it really is?
160593
There are statistics on the following page:\n\nhttp://www.antiwar.com/casualties/
561467
No kidding.  War, like all violence, is bad.  Have you ever noticed how it's frequently the soldiers who understand this best?  Yet for interesting reflection, check out just war theory.
171661
The saying "all is fair in love and war" is not true. There are rules in everything, and neither love nor war is an exception.\n\nCrimes in war are things that defy the concept of humanity. War should be waged in the least horrible way as possible (although that sounds impossible), and with the least possible loss of life. Splintering bullets are outlawed by the Geneva Convention because they maim, not kill.\n\nWe are humans, and although war should be avoided altogether, when it happens we must ensure that noncoms do not get hurt.\n\nTo the above answer: Yes, that's nice. That's one example of rules in war. But the Geneva Convention doesn't explain HOW something can be illegal. The question being asked is one of politics and ethics.
83488
Will the war ever be justified to someone like you? As can be seen from your question, no.  You have already made up your mind.  \n\nSaddam Hussein was a ruthless dictator who killed millions, used WMDs, and numerous intelligence sources stated that he was ready to use them again.\nMillions of Iraqis who are free to now vote for their own futures believe the war was justified.  Millions of children who can go to school and learn, allowing Iraq to move into the 21st century will make the war worth it.\n\nNaysayers like you would have stopped after Gettysburg, saying the loss of life isn't worth it.  You would have pulled troops out in the middle of Normandy, since Germany never attacked us, Japan did.\n\nEach day Iraqi that wakes up with his and her God-given freedom to do as s/he wishes and live a good life is justification.
515172
In some ways war is good.  It stopped the spread of fascism during WWII.  It kept our nation whole during the civil war.  We became a nation after the revolutionary war.  Most history is written by war.\n\nAlso, a nation unwilling to go to war is one that is waiting to be attacked.  Just because you do not want to fight does not mean the other guy is going to back down or leave you alone.  And when vicious people come for you, trying to talk it out is not going to work.\n\nHowever, war is also one of the most horrendous things mankind can do.  People do die in war and the deaths are not going to be pretty.  General Lee said it best when he said it is good war is so horrific because if it weren't, men would be doing it every day.  So war should be entered into as a last resort, but if war is entered, go in to win.\n\nIt is good that you find yourself compelled to fight for something.  It is also good that you have a conscience.  That combo means you would not be a psychopath and would have some restraint.  The dilemma you speak of is felt by many.  But if you do decide to join the military and fight remember, the other guy didn't think about his family when he chose his path, so you shouldn't worry about his family either.  He won't be worried about yours.\n\nBy the way, I was a marine in the first Gulf War so I got to experience war first hand.  It was a very sobering experience and  really makes you re-evaluate what is important.  I have the utmost respect for the ones carrying on the fight today.
792771
Mans inhumanity to man is senseless and cruel.  Always has been, but I feel for you deeply, I can't imagine what awful things go on in war or is it war?