Could you shoot a fellow human in a war?

[Mihalik]

A WWII type of war would make the aggressor similar to Nazi Germany.
I'm pretty sure that this thread is more along the lines of being part of the "Allies" not the "Axis."

200 years ago?
WWII...Never forget.

Sadly, WW2 is somewhat of an exception to most US wars since the Civil War, the other somewhat justifiable wars were the Korean War, the First Gulf War and the Yugoslavian intervention.

Unfortunately shit like Vietnam, Nicaragua, the CIA in Guatemala, Gulf War 2, the Afghan Occupation tend to overshadow the few "good wars".

It is also somewhat true that the US bares some political responsibility for WW2, tho in a somewhat convoluted way. There are 2 arguable things to be taken into account.

1, The US forced Japan out of its centuries long isolation at the barrel of a gun (many Naval Guns), thus shaping Japanese perception of their role in the world. Japan seen itself in a position were it would either end up being ruled by foreign powers or becoming a major maritime colonial empire. It is an interesting academic exercise to ask, had Japan been allowed to maintain its isolationist stance, would have it ended up becoming a colony, or something akin to Nepal, a largely independent, but somewhat isolated and backwards nation? If so, what would have its role been in WW2?

2, The US acquiesced to the Treaty of Versailles and to the latter Treaty of Trianon which neither pacified or reconciled the Central Powers, nor Italy who was shafted by its Western Allies after the First World War, directly leading to the political and economic instability that permitted the rise of Fascists and National Socialists who made the continuation of the First World War their priority.

Had Woodrow Wilson stuck to his guns and his "Fourteen Points" the entire fucking debacle of WW2 could have been easily avoided. Tho admittedly the US didn't quite wield the amount of international influence at the time as t did at the end of WW2.

[Shadowferal]

The general public should never be held responsible for the actions of their governments.

It's not the general public per se, it's the soldiers that go out to work the government's will. How many countries in Europe fell to the Nazis? (It's rhetorical, but should address the point)

[Darkeon]

I like to think I could end up a fellow human's life if my life, or that of those I hold as important, is at stake. Which is usually the case with wars.

The emotional baggage that would come after the event has settled though, I have no idea how I'd deal with it, nor how severe it would be. Luckily I've been fortunate enough to have not be through it in my life so far.

[Rooflesstoofless]

Nope. I refuse to kill another person on foreign soil.

[Lorgar Aurelian]

Kind of odd to hear that from someone with a D'Vorah avatar tbh.

i find real violence abhorrent that's why i keep all of my violence to gaming, and D'vorah is my wafiu if i had to have one.

- - - Updated - - -

So why are you on a wow forum. The whole game is based around killing shit.

i find real violence abhorrent that's why i keep all of my violence to gaming.

[Poppincaps]

Yes, but my reaction to it would change depending on if I believed in the war. If it was a Nazi situation where they are pretty evil people trying to conquer the world and committing genocide on a group of people then I would probably be fine with it. It's him or me. I'd still have some guilt behind it because I wouldn't know if that person was evil or if they were good, but I know the overall cause of the war is just so I think I'd be able to get over it. It would either be a just killing or an unfortunate but necessary one.

If I didn't believe in the war I think I'd still be able to do it, but I would definitely have some PTSD from it. I am very empathetic and I try to see things from other people's perspectives before I judge them so it'd wrack my brain wondering if it was just a good person thrown into an awful situation or perhaps I'd even question if perhaps I'm the bad guy here.

[Shadowferal]

Yes, but my reaction to it would change depending on if I believed in the war. If it was a Nazi situation where they are pretty evil people trying to conquer the world and committing genocide on a group of people then I would probably be fine with it. It's him or me. I'd still have some guilt behind it because I wouldn't know if that person was evil or if they were good, but I know the overall cause of the war is just so I think I'd be able to get over it. It would either be a just killing or an unfortunate but necessary one.

And this is how I'd see it if it was a Nazi-like situation, what with the added Holocaust, among so much other things, how could I feel guilt killing soldiers trying to spread such villainy, when I would feel guilty doing nothing while other countries...allies even, fell to them? Not just guilt, shame. I would feel ashamed that others fought the "good fight" without me.

[Averrix]

id never do it i find violence abhorrent and killing even more so.

Most people always say no, they could never do it, but when it comes down to survival, they would.

[Zandalarian Paladin]

No. Willingly aim a weapon to kill someone because of stupid ideologies is against my deeply held values.

Defending myself is not the same - if someone comes at me and the only outcome is the death of one of us, then yes, I will defend myself. But don't expect me to find a spot and just shoot people with no remorse. That won't happen.

[Phookah]

Nope. Killing is wrong and my government giving me a pat on the head and a cookie doesn't make it okay.

[Jimmy Thick]

This thread is becoming humorous in the face of a rather serious subject.

If there is a war you, as a draft eligible citizen have limited options, in fact the only decision you have is if you choose to be a patriot or abandon your country in its time of need. Or choose to be a conscientious objector which is the same as abandoning your country.

People don't decide what they are going to do, your Government decides, you either step up or ship out. If you like your President/Leader or not, you have to stand up for your country. Why live here if you're going to make an excuse to hide in a corner and let others fight and die?

Its WAR.

I have never seen such a pampered generation attempt to weasel their way out of their patriotic duty, dying for ones country is honorable, hiding in fear is cowardly. I personally would start true military conscription back in the United States and draft both men and women between the ages of 18-35 for front line military duty.

No more excuses or feeling sorry for oneself, make this country great.

Jimmy Thick- A generation in need of an enema.

[Shadowferal]

*shrugs*
There's a damn good reason why "the greatest generation" was called so...

[Phookah]

*shrugs*
There's a damn good reason why "the greatest generation" was called so...

Because they made that name up themselves? Greatest generation my ass.

[Shadowferal]

Because they made that name up themselves? Greatest generation my ass.

No.
I suggest you learn a little history to find out why...although I would suspect that learning from history isn't your thing...

[Jimmy Thick]

Because they made that name up themselves? Greatest generation my ass.

Look what they accomplished as a generation, see why they are considered great. They didn't cry and moan and make excuses, they accomplished things.

Jimmy Thick-No participation trophies, hugs or tears over hurt feelings.

[enragedgorilla]

Yes,

The "Them or Me" thinking is survival at it's most basic point.

My SOI Sgt. told it best,"I WILL go home every night and eat my Domino's Pizza.Fuck the other guy."
Kind of one of those Life moments for me.

[TheFirstOnes]

Of course. It's war. It's not a matter of meeting anyone, befriending them in the process. It's a matter of survival, and victory.

It's kill, or be killed. And i'd certainly would rather kill, than die. Even when I have a family waiting for me, as well as friends.

[Deleted]

Say you had a WWII type war in Europe, could you shoot a fellow human being? Say you're in a foxhole and you see the enemy 50 meters away, you have your pick of ten targets could you shoot them?

Nope what have left EU for America long before war breaks out. There is no reason for war, really outside barbaric military-code "if you will win you fight" which some countries seem to follow still... We have to get over this whole "huge war" thing.

[judgementofantonidas]

Say you had a WWII type war in Europe, could you shoot a fellow human being? Say you're in a foxhole and you see the enemy 50 meters away, you have your pick of ten targets could you shoot them?

I can and I have.

[TheFirstOnes]

Nope. I refuse to kill another person on foreign soil.

Well then, I guess I have 2 scenarios for you then:

1. What if an army assaulted your country, and all you had was a gun, A dagger, and so forth. Would you kill off the invaders attacking your home, or would you be a coward, and run?

2. Or, what if YOU attacked their lands? Would you take control of each base, destroy the forts/towns for your country? Or, would you rather die there, knowing that dying is better than winning?

Sometimes, war can be harsh. I know this, you know this, everyone knows it. But, it's still war. Soldiers have to go through with seeing children die, and more. That's just the way life works. Life isn't fair, it never will be. People die, people fight, people argue with each-other, people team up. That's just war.