I expect them to understand I come by my conclusions honestly also.
I never expressed any doubt about the honesty of the process by which anybody here reached their conclusions. I recall writing quite specifically, in fact, that I could understand and to some degree sympathize with those conclusions and the manner in which they were reached.
I objected, and I think this was plainly stated, to the manner in which some of these conclusions are being presented, here and elsewhere. I objected to the presentation of war as some sort of video game, where we’re blipping units off a screen, not killing people. I said, and I will say again, that I believe war may at some times be necessary. I also said that I think the idea of rejoicing in the prospect of war, or of treating it lightly, is both disgusting at a human level and, in the long term, an approach that can dangerously distort our individual and collective judgment.
The bloody details were placed there for a reason. I believe that these experiences change the perspectives of those who go through them. They certainly changed mine.
There are many things we have to do in life, ranging from punishing a child to making war, that we wish we did not have to do. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do them. If we must, we must. If we find ourselves reveling in them, though, it’s high time to look inside and ask ourselves what’s really going on in there.
So there’s nothing in that post I want to change or retract. I’m sorry that it pissed you, or anyone, off, but I expect we’ve all read opinions here that pissed us off. I know I have. |
