Comments on: Heroes… or Fools?

By: AMeggers28

AMeggers28 — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 09:15:53 +0000

Hi John. I read your article and I have to say that I agree with pretty much all of it. Soldiers, like the general population are manipulated into thinking that the actions of now are for the greater good. I know quite a few “squaddies” and the patriotism and belief in their nation is quite overwhelming. As you alluded to earlier, that is all well and good when you want to protect the values of a good nation, but it seems like all the UK wants to do, and has always wanted to do, is to take as much as it can for itself at the expense of many innocent people. These youngsters are quite willing to die in places like Afghanistan and Iraq because they believe it will bring glory to themselves and their nation. To me, it just seems like many young lives have been cut short. In saying this, though, if we were all the same, and all thought along the lines of anti-capitalism and alternative ways of living it would amaze me even more, as some people need leading and showing the way, whereas others want to lead. I call these people sheep!

By: John Andrews

John Andrews — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 10:51:14 +0000

MichaelKenny,

Thanks for the comment.

Sadly I don’t share your optimism about Europe – not in the foreseeable future anyway. With the exception of Switzerland, the only country whose democracy is almost worthy of the name, most other European countries seem to do exactly the same as the UK: follow orders from the imperial master.

Neither do I think the centenary celebrations for the ‘Great War’ will ‘pound’ the heroic image of soldiering very much – sadly – not whilst the media continues to be run by warmongers anyway.

By: MichaelKenny

MichaelKenny — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 16:30:33 +0000

Good point. Remember the old song: “Solidiers who want to be heroes number exactly zero, but there are millions who want to be civilians”. I think the “heroic” side of soldiering will take quite a pounding as we approach the anniversary of WWI, which, with its prequels and sequels, lasted from 1911 (Libya!) to 1925 and left an incredible mess in its wake, chunks of which have not been cleaned up even today. WWI will also alter the perception of WWII as “heroic”, something which is often used to glorify and justify subsequent wars. Fundamentally, I’m very optimistic about the future, at least as far as Europe is concerned.