Friday, September 27, 2013
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Josef Reuther
811
Conflicts
In the book "War is..." by"edited by Marc Aronson and Patty Campbell many accounts from soldiers. survivors and journalists are put together to talk about war. The authors are reflecting on many aspects of warfare that a civilian most likely would not think about. The soldiers in the battle field are not only discussing the external issues they face, but they also provide the reader with insights about the internal conflicts, which the combatants have to overcome.
In his contribution "In What Every Person Should Know About War", the long time New York Times war correspondent Chris Hedges, addresses potential recruits. Drawing on his long experience in the battlefield he gives a profound answer to the question, "What does it feel like to kill someone? You will probably go through several emotional reactions when you kill... remorse and revulsion, can render you unable to ever kill again. Last is the rationalization and acceptance phase. This is a lifelong process during which you will try to account for what you did." It becomes apparent that soldiers who kill enemies will have to live with having murdered someone for the rest of their lives an act that they will never be able to undo. Events that happen during warfare will have a longterm effect on a soldier.
Another piece of evidence that corroborates this claim is that almost all soldiers have family back at home that they deeply care about, relatives who they love. "Have a Merry Christmas and take care of yourselves...Hope everything is fine with you. Take care. Love, Mick." The soldiers long for their families and feel guilty that their loved ones fear for their lives everyday and are constantly worried. Soldiers often send letters back home and wish that they could be with their families for a day such as Christmas especially when they may never see their parents again. Although the soldiers on the front line are constantly putting up with gunfire and hostile attacks, but the way they miss their families and the constant fear for their lives are just as haunting.
The marines recently fighting in Iraq, might have been passing through hostile territory where they become victims to a hidden car bomb or they may be suddenly ambushed from a building. Although these seem to be the worst parts of fighting. The real fear behind it all is often that if they die the grief that they would cause relatives and family members would be tremendous. Next to their physical burden there is also a huge physiological burden that they always carry around with them. These marines are usually very young men or women who should have most of their lives still ahead of them, yet nonetheless many die in war.
811
Conflicts
In the book "War is..." by"edited by Marc Aronson and Patty Campbell many accounts from soldiers. survivors and journalists are put together to talk about war. The authors are reflecting on many aspects of warfare that a civilian most likely would not think about. The soldiers in the battle field are not only discussing the external issues they face, but they also provide the reader with insights about the internal conflicts, which the combatants have to overcome.
In his contribution "In What Every Person Should Know About War", the long time New York Times war correspondent Chris Hedges, addresses potential recruits. Drawing on his long experience in the battlefield he gives a profound answer to the question, "What does it feel like to kill someone? You will probably go through several emotional reactions when you kill... remorse and revulsion, can render you unable to ever kill again. Last is the rationalization and acceptance phase. This is a lifelong process during which you will try to account for what you did." It becomes apparent that soldiers who kill enemies will have to live with having murdered someone for the rest of their lives an act that they will never be able to undo. Events that happen during warfare will have a longterm effect on a soldier.
Another piece of evidence that corroborates this claim is that almost all soldiers have family back at home that they deeply care about, relatives who they love. "Have a Merry Christmas and take care of yourselves...Hope everything is fine with you. Take care. Love, Mick." The soldiers long for their families and feel guilty that their loved ones fear for their lives everyday and are constantly worried. Soldiers often send letters back home and wish that they could be with their families for a day such as Christmas especially when they may never see their parents again. Although the soldiers on the front line are constantly putting up with gunfire and hostile attacks, but the way they miss their families and the constant fear for their lives are just as haunting.
The marines recently fighting in Iraq, might have been passing through hostile territory where they become victims to a hidden car bomb or they may be suddenly ambushed from a building. Although these seem to be the worst parts of fighting. The real fear behind it all is often that if they die the grief that they would cause relatives and family members would be tremendous. Next to their physical burden there is also a huge physiological burden that they always carry around with them. These marines are usually very young men or women who should have most of their lives still ahead of them, yet nonetheless many die in war.
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