Vince said:
Hey, as I stated before - to each his own, aslong as you're not in my country putting your selflish beliefs (which is what they are) before my own family, friends and fellow citizens who fullfill their duty as per citizenship - I don't care what you do bud. You're not hurting me and I don't care.
But what if he
was in your country? Is he selfish because he doesn't think of
your family or is he selfish because he thinks of
his? Which is more important to you, Vince? Your neighbours, fellow citizens or your family? What has your family (=sole-breadwinner-with-wife+kids, compared to a fatherless- unmarried-male) to say about your beliefs? Are you married with kids? Will your current stance change if you were (if you're not now)? Is it "selfish" to kill an enemy soldier or civilian (by accident naturally, which I'm sure you or your fellow countryman soldier will never do because you/he never misses) because you think
his government may attack your country?
Vince, your position about what it means to be a citizen is admirable, and I don't really have any beef with this, which is a subjective opinion by my books however (you can beg to differ, which is evidently the case, so no need to expand on this particular part).
However, many folks, while not actually excusing themselves as "citizens" by trying to escape such drafts, ultimately put what they deem to be their ultimate and direct priority in life. And that is (as is the case where I'm concerned) to be responsible to your family first and foremost.
I am a married man with a wife and a 4-year-old kid. If you were to ask me if I would oppose to agreeing to a draft that requires (as opposed to actually "forcing" me, if there is ever such a difference) me to list with the army
specifically because the current climate looks to mean my country will go to war, no,
I won't oppose such a draft but I
would try to escape such a draft. Regardless of whether It Is The Right Thing To Do As A Citizen or not. I want to continue to exist, to put food on the table for my family and to provide love and support to my family. Because there is no assurance I won't come home alive after the war.
I may be ashamed to be a citizen of my country because of this but I will not be ashamed as a man, a husband and a father.
The short of it, of course, is that it is "Family Before Country" to me. It may be right to some, it may be wrong to others (such as Vince).
As stated by some in this thread, this has all to do with the fact that some believe going to war in Iraq is The Correct Thing. And you obviously believe it is The Correct Thing to do.
What is your opinion on 'Nam, Vince? Would you have gone if your country asked you to back then? <I'm assuming you were too young for 'Nam, as I was, even if I was a US citizen>.
ps. Last post here (and not nearly enough because I have so much more to say but my "summary" above should suffice)... I'm sure Vince will have what he regards as valid things to say as a response to me.
