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Dunno if I should bother posting this.
Saturday, 10 January 2009 14:05IN a casual sense, I'm pro military. My brother is in the army, and he's getting paid to see the world, meet interesting people (and blow them up? hm. Actually referring to his battle buddies), he gets school benefits, etc. For a guy who was pretty directionless, that's a good offer, and I'm glad he took it. I also understand national defense is important, and I'm not so much of a hippie that I think the military is like, pointless, dude.
But.
In an abstract way, I really think organized military, starting at terrorist cells and all the way to national armies should be completely and permanently disarmed. No guns, bullets, grenades, bombs, jets, tanks, microwave pain guns, nothing. I'd like a return to the days of when nations have ideological differences, they're settled with mind-bending violence, with sharp sticks and rocks. If a Palestinian thinks an Israeli soldier has no right to live, he should be forced to feel the man die, not just lob a grenade and move on. If one country wants to invade another, they have to hoof it the hundreds of miles and then try to take over with sheer numbers. The invaded country can still call on their allies, of course, which can arrive quickly via planes and boats and trucks, but fighting has to be done on foot. In person. Painfully.
War should not be so easy to do that an industry is made of it.
I'm okay with citizens having guns, both for self defense in their own homes and for personal fun. Contrary to what parents tell their children for years, guns are toys for adults. When I shoot them, I don't do it to become a better aim or to become more comfortable with the idea of using one to defend against an attacker. I use it for the little spike of adrenaline and endorphins, for the loud pop and seeing something develop a hole problem. I'm not dangerous with it, I am a responsible adult, but I'm not shooting it for any reason than childlike enjoyment.
I'm aware there is no system that can disarm entire armies, nor is there a way to prevent soldiers from taking their personal guns from home to the battlefront. Like I said, this is an abstract wish of mine.
But.
In an abstract way, I really think organized military, starting at terrorist cells and all the way to national armies should be completely and permanently disarmed. No guns, bullets, grenades, bombs, jets, tanks, microwave pain guns, nothing. I'd like a return to the days of when nations have ideological differences, they're settled with mind-bending violence, with sharp sticks and rocks. If a Palestinian thinks an Israeli soldier has no right to live, he should be forced to feel the man die, not just lob a grenade and move on. If one country wants to invade another, they have to hoof it the hundreds of miles and then try to take over with sheer numbers. The invaded country can still call on their allies, of course, which can arrive quickly via planes and boats and trucks, but fighting has to be done on foot. In person. Painfully.
War should not be so easy to do that an industry is made of it.
I'm okay with citizens having guns, both for self defense in their own homes and for personal fun. Contrary to what parents tell their children for years, guns are toys for adults. When I shoot them, I don't do it to become a better aim or to become more comfortable with the idea of using one to defend against an attacker. I use it for the little spike of adrenaline and endorphins, for the loud pop and seeing something develop a hole problem. I'm not dangerous with it, I am a responsible adult, but I'm not shooting it for any reason than childlike enjoyment.
I'm aware there is no system that can disarm entire armies, nor is there a way to prevent soldiers from taking their personal guns from home to the battlefront. Like I said, this is an abstract wish of mine.
