Is Anyone Ever Prepared To Kill?

Christian Science Monitor ^ | September 29, 2004 | Unknown

[robowombat]

You nailed it. The article is written by some sap who believes 'Coming Home' and 'Born on the 4th of July' are objective documentaries. Kerry in his infamous Congressional testimony helped launch the stereotype of the drugged out psychopathic Vietnam vet so addled by the atrocities he perpetrated that he could no longer cope with reality. In doing so he and other scum who gleefully kept this urban legend rolling did make the lives of thousands of Vietnam vets much worse.

What the author of this whiney little screed doesn't get and most of America as well is that being on active service even if not in heavy combat produces a residuum of stress and that a period of decompression is needed by people returning from a war. Some individuals will feel a large amount of combat stress and need more time and some professional assistance. But I think a fair generalization is that everyone feels some level of stress and the rapid immersion back into a society at peace sharpens those feelings. Those who have killed at close range may or may not have unresolved guilt problems but the bigger issue is that all do feel tension upon return. Not over reacting to such things that seem as foibles such as jumping at sudden loud noises or not wanting to sit with one's back to the door is what is needed. Not a lot of anxious hovering as loved ones nervously watch for indications that the returned soldier is a potential psycho.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Me thinks they don't get dental.

No. But you can bet that they get Medieval.

[ndafill]

You better be ready

[Cindy]

Ditto.

[Valin]

Welcome to the web site of author Charles Sheehan-Miles.

http://www.sheehanmiles.com/

You can find information here on who Charles is, his books, book reviews, as well as news of interest.

Charles was recently profiled in Time Magazine in the December 19, 2002 article "Profiles in Protest."

You can also hear his essay "What will I tell my children?" on National Public Radio's Radio Diaries.

Other recent radio spots:
- Pacifica Peacewatch (August 2003)
- Counterspin (May 2003)
- Democracy Now (Nov. 2002)
- Working Assets Radio (Nov. 2002)
- WBUR On-Point Radio (Nov. 2002)





Oh sound just so special.

[lentulusgracchus]

I was talking about the author of the article. You might have posted a barf alert. I don't care what you post as long as you alert us -- that certainly separates author and poster. And no, I didn't think you agreed with the author, either.

The author, however, is trying to "create issues" and start another Left-wing belly-button-lint-picking "discussion" of "what our values should be" and how awful war and militarism are, and shouldn't we maybe rely on diplomacy more and maybe reexamine some of these military training protocols that teach nice young boys to kill kill kill, and isn't it time that humanity really began to step up and get our arms around the True Social and Personal Moral Cost of belligerent ugliness?

<pause for puke break>

[NewRomeTacitus]

Like the old Ford commercials illustrated; back in the 1980's recruits knew that killing the enemy was Job One. All else was secondary to the primary mission. We were in awe of the previous generations and felt the obligation to live up to that standard. I was extremely fortunate to recieve advice from the last Vietnam-era vets getting ready for retirement. They knew it came down to killing when needed - no pansy BS sentiments will help you when you face an opposite raised to believe that they must kill you. All opinion and punditry falls away as the crap that it is when it's your life at stake. Service should be mandatory - the lack of that has really hurt our society.