Comments on: You Reap What You Sow http://www.strike-the-root.com/wp/archives/175 "There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root." ~ Henry David Thoreau Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:00:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.6 by: Rad Geek http://www.strike-the-root.com/wp/archives/175#comment-19823 Fri, 07 Dec 2007 06:48:51 +0000 http://www.strike-the-root.com/wp/archives/175#comment-19823 I didn't say that so-called "volunteer" soldiers aren't responsible for their actions while in the military, or that the government's coercion against them excuses immoral actions. I said that they aren't actually willing volunteers. Willing volunteers are free to withdraw their decision to volunteer if they repent, or get scared, or have second thoughts. Soldiers aren't. I didn’t say that so-called “volunteer” soldiers aren’t responsible for their actions while in the military, or that the government’s coercion against them excuses immoral actions. I said that they aren’t actually willing volunteers. Willing volunteers are free to withdraw their decision to volunteer if they repent, or get scared, or have second thoughts. Soldiers aren’t.

]]> by: Roger Young http://www.strike-the-root.com/wp/archives/175#comment-19742 Thu, 06 Dec 2007 21:53:37 +0000 http://www.strike-the-root.com/wp/archives/175#comment-19742 Using the excuse of “contractual coercion” is equivalent to pleading, “the devil made me do it” or the ever popular “just following orders.” Millions of people have been able to perceive the military as an organization they, personally, wanted no part of. Those who volunteer do so despite the reality that the military is a killing machine carrying out the dirty work of the ruling regime. If this reality escapes their vision that is their error to deal with. Every individual is responsible for his/her decisions and choices. A couple years of jail time seems a small price to pay to quit killing (and/or be killed) while saving your soul. Using the excuse of “contractual coercion” is equivalent to pleading, “the devil made me do it” or the ever popular “just following orders.” Millions of people have been able to perceive the military as an organization they, personally, wanted no part of. Those who volunteer do so despite the reality that the military is a killing machine carrying out the dirty work of the ruling regime. If this reality escapes their vision that is their error to deal with. Every individual is responsible for his/her decisions and choices.

A couple years of jail time seems a small price to pay to quit killing (and/or be killed) while saving your soul.

]]> by: Rad Geek http://www.strike-the-root.com/wp/archives/175#comment-18687 Sun, 02 Dec 2007 04:31:43 +0000 http://www.strike-the-root.com/wp/archives/175#comment-18687 <blockquote>These are willing volunteers who have pledged their lives to the nation state. They are nothing less than his partners in crime.</blockquote> To the extent that soldiers willingly engage in deliberate violence against innocent people, they are certainly complicit in the crime and should be held accountable. On the other hand, I don't think it's quite true that all soldiers in the American military are "willing volunteers." Normally when someone willingly signs on for a job, they can always quit later if they have second thoughts about either the job in general, or about specific requirements imposed on them by their employers. Everywhere else in the world besides the military, this is called "quitting." In the military it's called "desertion" and it can be treated as a hanging crime if the government so chooses. Soldiers, even so-called "volunteers," who want to leave the military, but are coerced into staying by the threat of imprisonment or death, should not be considered willing participants, any more than victims of the draft should.

These are willing volunteers who have pledged their lives to the nation state. They are nothing less than his partners in crime.

To the extent that soldiers willingly engage in deliberate violence against innocent people, they are certainly complicit in the crime and should be held accountable.

On the other hand, I don’t think it’s quite true that all soldiers in the American military are “willing volunteers.” Normally when someone willingly signs on for a job, they can always quit later if they have second thoughts about either the job in general, or about specific requirements imposed on them by their employers. Everywhere else in the world besides the military, this is called “quitting.” In the military it’s called “desertion” and it can be treated as a hanging crime if the government so chooses.

Soldiers, even so-called “volunteers,” who want to leave the military, but are coerced into staying by the threat of imprisonment or death, should not be considered willing participants, any more than victims of the draft should.

]]> by: Glenellmim.Com » You Reap What You Sow http://www.strike-the-root.com/wp/archives/175#comment-14781 Tue, 13 Nov 2007 07:13:54 +0000 http://www.strike-the-root.com/wp/archives/175#comment-14781 [...] John Angliss wrote an interesting post today on You Reap What You SowHere’s a quick excerpt [...] […] John Angliss wrote an interesting post today on You Reap What You SowHere’s a quick excerpt […]

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