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In Reply to: Re: censorship posted by Carol on August 04, 2004 at 10:17:08:
One other thing to consider is that the current political climate and the war in Iraq effects many of us SGs directly. Many of us have family and friends who are in Iraq right now. Some of the people who post on this issue on MovingOn are doing so from the front lines. For many of us it’s not just an academic discussion or detached debate. A large number of us have or do currently serve in the military in our respective countries.
While military service is not mandatory in many countries, I believe that the decision to serve is for many people, largely a result of our experiences growing up in the Family. Whatever you think about Michael Moore, his point in Fahrenheit 9/11 that young people recruited into the army are frequently from marginalized, poverty-stricken and disadvantaged demographics is valid. People like many of us. If we had responsible parents and the basic options most young people have, I doubt so many of us would have taken this route.
Personally, I try to mostly steer clear of discussions on this topic because the personal nature of it upsets me too much. So many of us have already suffered the unspeakable in the name of service to God and more are suffering now in service to their country, some who are barely out of their teens. To know that some of us who are there will not be coming back is unbearable. I am curious as to how many of the people here have children or relatives who are in the army and/or in Iraq right now.
Anyway, I just wanted to make the point that the relevance of discussion on the war is perhaps a matter of perspective.
