Are we wrong to glorify war?

Question

There are a lot of macho and aggresive comments on here about Islam and Iraq and terrorists and so on....

This weekend we are remembering the Falklands war and I heard yesterday that Britain lost 255 service personel during the war, but that 300 ex soldiers have since commited suicide because of what they went through there.

Should we challenge some of the gung ho nonsense we see written on this site?

I didn't mean we shouldn't remember those who fought...I am talking about people on here who talk about going to war as though it is a computer game.

Answer 1

It's easy to be macho and aggressive when you aren't the ones fighting as these gung ho commentators sat safe at home know. I and my Husband are very strongly Anti the Iraq/Afghanistan conflict. Whatever the reasons given, unlike the first Gulf War Iraq hadn't invaded a neighbour who then asked for help!
The attitude should be challenged but I fear it will never cease!
This week-end though our thoughts are on the Falklands as we lost good friends then! My Husband was there and serving in the RAF at that time! He was lucky, others were not! The week-end isn't about gloryfying war it's about remembering those who gave their lives to protect OUR OWN!!!! As far away as it is it still is British! The people of the Falklands asked for and received the support to repel the invading Argentinians! The Argentinian government didn't expect us to fight and knew that the people there had no way other-wise to stop them!
Sometimes you have to fight back, but I wish there could be a peaceful way!
No War shouldn't be Glorified but Sacrifice shouldn't be forgotten.

Answer 2

Get a grip herbal mate.. the Belgrano was out to sink our ships and kill our people. It just so happens we got them first. Now how about the poor old Welsh guards who took a hammering from Exocets and Skyhawks?.. No, war is not glorious but we should remember those who died for the freedom of the islands.. By having a well trained force which exercises often, wars can be reduced to short periods and not prolonged any more than necessary. The falklands conflict was pretty well planned by the time our task force got there and so the bloodletting was kept pretty much to a minimum. I count myself as lucky never to have been called to battle and I hope that my son doesn't either but I'm sure that he will go like any other if necessary.

Answer 3

One piece of common wisdom is, "War is hell." It does take a toll on its participants as well as those who just happen to be there.
On the other hand, it is sometimes necessary to fight; there are times when it is more harmful not to fight. And not everybody is in agreement, obviously, about when these times are.
So we ought not to enter war lightly, but we need to be ready and willing to do so if necessary.
I've noticed some YA responses that lightly propose "nuking" Iran or some other problem area of the world; Having grown up with awareness of radioactive fallout even from nuclear tests (not to mention accidents), I see this as an immature point of view. Time and experience have a way of producing maturity, so I don't get too agitated about these young whippersnappers.
We are going to see major warfare in the next 20 years, and there is no way to avoid it, because the Islamist expansion movement is growing. We need to be ready for it. This is unfortunate. But we will have to fight. It's part of the human condition. But it is not glamorous, and it is full of pain.
It will be worth it when peace returns, though.

Answer 4

I know this will offend some, but it needs to be said...

Being generous and leaving the past aside:

England are taking part in a greed driven illegal war that they were duped into entering. England has never listened to the voice of the working people, the backbone of the country.
It is in essence, a very beautiful country filled (mostly!) with wonderful (mostly!) honest people, unfortunately run by an arisrocratically minded echelon with no regard for the future of national or global affairs.
"The will of a nation is the will of the people".
(M.C. 1921)

Come on England, protest, cry foul, etc


ps. I still hate Thatcher

Answer 5

I understand your objections to the "gung ho" attitude that some have and I agree. However, I don't think that war is really glorified by the majority. Heroism may be and rightly so. Some exceptions, such as religious wars, apply. I can't understand this at all. Glorifying killing in the name of any particular religion or
God is abhorrent to me.

Answer 6

Glorifying war per se,is probably unacceptable in modern times,wher people have the education and the time to consider the horrors associated.
However,since ones enemy may very well give us hobsons choice,then war becomes a necessary evil.
Thus those who fight,for what we believe is right should be glorified.For it is the ultimate gift and death in battle the ultimate sacrifice.

britishlegion.org.uk

Answer 7

BE ASHAMED OF THE 300 PLUS MEN MURDERED BY THATCHER'S BRITS ABOARD THE BELGRANO. This act of GUNG HO MURDER was arranged to bolster the brit navy that the mad b i t c h (your people voted for), had herself severed by economical cuts and was bollocked for doing so. You are masters at ' glorifying war ' and are smeared with blood of the innocents forever. Huge arms traders and evil warmongers ! You can't even get on with yourselves in towns and cities a few miles apart !!

Answer 8

I absolutely agree with you and I am totally opposed to the War in Iraq and other conflicts involving British troops. It makes me despairing how many troops have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Even worse is the terrible loss of life amongst ordinary Iraqis and the civil right abuses for Afghan people.

I am a member of the Labour Party and at one time was a Labour Councillor. Many times I have thought of resigning because of Blair's stance on the Iraq war and perhaps even worse, the following of the "muppet in the White House", Bush.

I guess we should challenge gung ho attitudes on this site. But what is the point? I guess we live in a democracy and everyone is entitled to their opinion, even when it SUCKS!!

Answer 9

War is murder on a massive scale.
Governments wage war at the expense of the people.
Until the people learn that the government is the true enemy of ALL we will not be able to rid ourselves of war.

Answer 10

FOr sure we are wrong to glorify. We don't declared war but although other country wants war we can protect our country