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In reply to the discussion: I killed people in Afghanistan. Was I right or wrong? [View all]Buzz Clik
(38,437 posts)6. It's not that difficult at all.
In many instances, joining a war is truly a glorious, justifiable thing to do. Defending the homeland against invaders. Protecting freedoms. Securing your family.
The war is won, and the soldiers are heroes.
But, the war machine is then used for less noble causes but with the same rhetoric. Some buy into it to capture the glory of those who went before. Eventually, we spiral into unjustifiable wars, killing innocent people who are fighting to protect their freedoms, defend their homeland, secure their families. And then we wonder what we've become.
The key is knowing when to quit.
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I remember having this realization when I first watched "Full Metal Jacket"
MannyGoldstein
Jan 2013
#1
"The key is knowing when to quit" - The U.S. misplaced that key starting in, oh, about
coalition_unwilling
Jan 2013
#8
Considering that your criteria for a "just war" are missing from most US conflicts
whatchamacallit
Jan 2013
#25
SPOILER ALERT (if it's still needed): "FMJ" has many watchable moments. For me, the most telling
coalition_unwilling
Jan 2013
#4
Another little jewel in the rough: Brian de Palma's "Casualties of War." For about 15 seconds, you
coalition_unwilling
Jan 2013
#7
Portions of "Hamburger Hill" and "We were Soldiers Once, and Young" can provide you ...
11 Bravo
Jan 2013
#9
Long, long ago. Part of what I love about DU is the number of vets who post here.
11 Bravo
Jan 2013
#20
That's your opinion. Additionally, there is only so much you can put into a movie....
OldDem2012
Jan 2013
#24
Then why did they leave out the second day of the battle, when a battalion was ambushed
tabasco
Jan 2013
#23
All veterans of ground combat of all wars wrestle with what they've seen and done....
OldDem2012
Jan 2013
#19
The one thing I always ask some one getting ready to join the military is
stultusporcos
Jan 2013
#31
As long as he followed legal orders, he only did what we asked him to do.
TwilightGardener
Jan 2013
#47