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We all saw that news story yesterday, right? I know I did, three times in ten minutes to be precise.
But, forgive me for seeming heartless and uncaring, believe me, I hate to see anyone lost their life, but why are we making such a fuss over one American solider dying in conflict?
Do we do this for every soldier who dies in conflict? Moreover, do we do it for everyone who dies?
It wasn’t like cold-blooded murder and the usual atrocious deaths that reach the media. He was a soldier. Last time I checked solder’s are meant to take risks. Soldiers know that they are risking their lives by joining the army. Soldiers have a choice to take part in conflict if they wish to.
But some people don’t. Hundred and thousands of people from war-torn countries die everyday, hundreds and thousands of people die of things that we take for granted everyday: lack of food, measles, dirty water.
When a disaster happens it makes the news, we hear the death toll and we all regret that something terrible has happened and mourn for them and their families.
But, read this quote..
“There were two 'Reigns of Terror', if we could but remember and consider it; the one wrought murder in hot passions, the other in heartless cold blood; the one lasted mere months, the other had lasted a thousand years; the one inflicted death upon a thousand persons, the other upon a hundred million; but our shudders are all for the "horrors of the... momentary Terror, so to speak; whereas, what is the horror of swift death by the axe compared with lifelong death from hunger, cold, insult, cruelty and heartbreak? A city cemetery could contain the coffins filled by that brief terror that we have all been so diligently taught to shiver at and mourn over; but all France could hardly contain the coffins filled by that older and real Terror - that unspeakable bitter and awful Terror which none of us has been taught to see in its vastness or pity as it deserves”
..and try to comprehend what it means.
There are places in the world were approximately 200,000 children are killed in conflict each year, where due to lack of medical help 515,000 women die of child birth each year and where over 1,100 million people don’t have access to clean water.
I know I sound like an Oxfam advert at the moment, but when you see the horrors and sadness of the “momentary terror” on the news, spare a thought or two for the thousands of people in the world who continue to die through lack of clean water and diseases which can be easily cured in the western world.
I feel strongly about the way the world is, I feel strongly about the way it isn’t equal. I feel strongly about how the media seems to portray that the death of a westerner is more important then the continuing deaths of thousands of people. I’m quite aware that “2,7000 people died of measles today in developing countries again” doesn’t make the news, because it’s always happening. The media likes to broadcast new things, like that death of that soldier. But we forget, I think, about the thousands each day when all that we see on the news is the “momentary terror”
All I want of the world is to be a little more equal and to remember the terror that lasts for thousands of years and claims the lives of many each day. I know it’s wishful thinking and I doubt the world will ever be perfect, far from it. I just don’t want to ignore it, even though there’s little I can do, I don’t want to stop being angry about the world like it is.
Don’t think I don’t feel sorry for that solider killed in Afghanistan, I do, I really do. He’s just one of the thousands of people’s deaths I feel sorry for.
Who wrote that quote? Mark Twain. Around a hundred years ago and still today it is true. The world hasn’t changed for the better in those years.
But, forgive me for seeming heartless and uncaring, believe me, I hate to see anyone lost their life, but why are we making such a fuss over one American solider dying in conflict?
Do we do this for every soldier who dies in conflict? Moreover, do we do it for everyone who dies?
It wasn’t like cold-blooded murder and the usual atrocious deaths that reach the media. He was a soldier. Last time I checked solder’s are meant to take risks. Soldiers know that they are risking their lives by joining the army. Soldiers have a choice to take part in conflict if they wish to.
But some people don’t. Hundred and thousands of people from war-torn countries die everyday, hundreds and thousands of people die of things that we take for granted everyday: lack of food, measles, dirty water.
When a disaster happens it makes the news, we hear the death toll and we all regret that something terrible has happened and mourn for them and their families.
But, read this quote..
“There were two 'Reigns of Terror', if we could but remember and consider it; the one wrought murder in hot passions, the other in heartless cold blood; the one lasted mere months, the other had lasted a thousand years; the one inflicted death upon a thousand persons, the other upon a hundred million; but our shudders are all for the "horrors of the... momentary Terror, so to speak; whereas, what is the horror of swift death by the axe compared with lifelong death from hunger, cold, insult, cruelty and heartbreak? A city cemetery could contain the coffins filled by that brief terror that we have all been so diligently taught to shiver at and mourn over; but all France could hardly contain the coffins filled by that older and real Terror - that unspeakable bitter and awful Terror which none of us has been taught to see in its vastness or pity as it deserves”
..and try to comprehend what it means.
There are places in the world were approximately 200,000 children are killed in conflict each year, where due to lack of medical help 515,000 women die of child birth each year and where over 1,100 million people don’t have access to clean water.
I know I sound like an Oxfam advert at the moment, but when you see the horrors and sadness of the “momentary terror” on the news, spare a thought or two for the thousands of people in the world who continue to die through lack of clean water and diseases which can be easily cured in the western world.
I feel strongly about the way the world is, I feel strongly about the way it isn’t equal. I feel strongly about how the media seems to portray that the death of a westerner is more important then the continuing deaths of thousands of people. I’m quite aware that “2,7000 people died of measles today in developing countries again” doesn’t make the news, because it’s always happening. The media likes to broadcast new things, like that death of that soldier. But we forget, I think, about the thousands each day when all that we see on the news is the “momentary terror”
All I want of the world is to be a little more equal and to remember the terror that lasts for thousands of years and claims the lives of many each day. I know it’s wishful thinking and I doubt the world will ever be perfect, far from it. I just don’t want to ignore it, even though there’s little I can do, I don’t want to stop being angry about the world like it is.
Don’t think I don’t feel sorry for that solider killed in Afghanistan, I do, I really do. He’s just one of the thousands of people’s deaths I feel sorry for.
Who wrote that quote? Mark Twain. Around a hundred years ago and still today it is true. The world hasn’t changed for the better in those years.
Page:
Iguana wrote:
>However, I still
> think that the real victims of war are those caught in >the cross-fire. Those
> people who have nothing to do with the conflict about >them, but die through a
> war between governments.
They are victims, but the responsibility for nearly all casualties lies with ONE government, always. War isn't about conflict between governments, but about what governments do to each other. Nearly all wars start because of provocation which one government believes will intimidate the others into doing nothing. Maybe this applied in the 19th century, thankfully the 21st century is different.
>I want to
> know how many Afghans have died as a result of this. (Now >I'm focusing..)
Well seeing as the Taliban and a proportion of Al Queda are Afghan then I'd say quite a few. All the deaths are needless because the Taliban, as self appointed government of the time, knew and had been warned oft he consequences of not co operating with the UN Mandate and US warnings.
>However, I still
> think that the real victims of war are those caught in >the cross-fire. Those
> people who have nothing to do with the conflict about >them, but die through a
> war between governments.
They are victims, but the responsibility for nearly all casualties lies with ONE government, always. War isn't about conflict between governments, but about what governments do to each other. Nearly all wars start because of provocation which one government believes will intimidate the others into doing nothing. Maybe this applied in the 19th century, thankfully the 21st century is different.
>I want to
> know how many Afghans have died as a result of this. (Now >I'm focusing..)
Well seeing as the Taliban and a proportion of Al Queda are Afghan then I'd say quite a few. All the deaths are needless because the Taliban, as self appointed government of the time, knew and had been warned oft he consequences of not co operating with the UN Mandate and US warnings.
Yes, he was brave. I never said anything to take that away from him.
But all casualties in this war? What about other wars? I wasn't concentrating on this particular war, just in general. People who fight in wars and lose their lives tend to do it because they believe in what they're doing.
However, I still think that the real victims of war are those caught in the cross-fire. Those people who have nothing to do with the conflict about them, but die through a war between governments.
Yes he believed in what he was doing and he has to be respected for that, but I still stand by my original point.
I want to know how many Afghans have died as a result of this. (Now I'm focusing..)
But all casualties in this war? What about other wars? I wasn't concentrating on this particular war, just in general. People who fight in wars and lose their lives tend to do it because they believe in what they're doing.
However, I still think that the real victims of war are those caught in the cross-fire. Those people who have nothing to do with the conflict about them, but die through a war between governments.
Yes he believed in what he was doing and he has to be respected for that, but I still stand by my original point.
I want to know how many Afghans have died as a result of this. (Now I'm focusing..)
The point is that this is the first US soldier to be killed by direct enemy fire. Yes, he isn't the only person that died that day, but he was the only American to die during a state of war. That means he was brave enough, and believed in what he was doing enough to take part in a conflict half way around the world. He was willing to put his life in danger to protect others from what is possibly the greatest threat since the Cold War.
Many, many people die from famine, disease, e.t.c. Their lives are no less important than any others. Westerners are not more valuable, but they are usually willing to go into harms way, and the West is far better at rallying around a common aim, in this case the annhilation of terrorism.
Personally, I think that it is so vitally important that every casualty of this war is known, because they, and everyone supporting operation Enduring Freedom in the area are all heroes in my book. They are not sitting miles away at home moaning and picking fault, they are out there doing what needs to be done. Actions speak louder than words.
Many, many people die from famine, disease, e.t.c. Their lives are no less important than any others. Westerners are not more valuable, but they are usually willing to go into harms way, and the West is far better at rallying around a common aim, in this case the annhilation of terrorism.
Personally, I think that it is so vitally important that every casualty of this war is known, because they, and everyone supporting operation Enduring Freedom in the area are all heroes in my book. They are not sitting miles away at home moaning and picking fault, they are out there doing what needs to be done. Actions speak louder than words.
We all saw that news story yesterday, right? I know I did, three times in ten minutes to be precise.
But, forgive me for seeming heartless and uncaring, believe me, I hate to see anyone lost their life, but why are we making such a fuss over one American solider dying in conflict?
Do we do this for every soldier who dies in conflict? Moreover, do we do it for everyone who dies?
It wasn’t like cold-blooded murder and the usual atrocious deaths that reach the media. He was a soldier. Last time I checked solder’s are meant to take risks. Soldiers know that they are risking their lives by joining the army. Soldiers have a choice to take part in conflict if they wish to.
But some people don’t. Hundred and thousands of people from war-torn countries die everyday, hundreds and thousands of people die of things that we take for granted everyday: lack of food, measles, dirty water.
When a disaster happens it makes the news, we hear the death toll and we all regret that something terrible has happened and mourn for them and their families.
But, read this quote..
“There were two 'Reigns of Terror', if we could but remember and consider it; the one wrought murder in hot passions, the other in heartless cold blood; the one lasted mere months, the other had lasted a thousand years; the one inflicted death upon a thousand persons, the other upon a hundred million; but our shudders are all for the "horrors of the... momentary Terror, so to speak; whereas, what is the horror of swift death by the axe compared with lifelong death from hunger, cold, insult, cruelty and heartbreak? A city cemetery could contain the coffins filled by that brief terror that we have all been so diligently taught to shiver at and mourn over; but all France could hardly contain the coffins filled by that older and real Terror - that unspeakable bitter and awful Terror which none of us has been taught to see in its vastness or pity as it deserves”
..and try to comprehend what it means.
There are places in the world were approximately 200,000 children are killed in conflict each year, where due to lack of medical help 515,000 women die of child birth each year and where over 1,100 million people don’t have access to clean water.
I know I sound like an Oxfam advert at the moment, but when you see the horrors and sadness of the “momentary terror” on the news, spare a thought or two for the thousands of people in the world who continue to die through lack of clean water and diseases which can be easily cured in the western world.
I feel strongly about the way the world is, I feel strongly about the way it isn’t equal. I feel strongly about how the media seems to portray that the death of a westerner is more important then the continuing deaths of thousands of people. I’m quite aware that “2,7000 people died of measles today in developing countries again” doesn’t make the news, because it’s always happening. The media likes to broadcast new things, like that death of that soldier. But we forget, I think, about the thousands each day when all that we see on the news is the “momentary terror”
All I want of the world is to be a little more equal and to remember the terror that lasts for thousands of years and claims the lives of many each day. I know it’s wishful thinking and I doubt the world will ever be perfect, far from it. I just don’t want to ignore it, even though there’s little I can do, I don’t want to stop being angry about the world like it is.
Don’t think I don’t feel sorry for that solider killed in Afghanistan, I do, I really do. He’s just one of the thousands of people’s deaths I feel sorry for.
Who wrote that quote? Mark Twain. Around a hundred years ago and still today it is true. The world hasn’t changed for the better in those years.
But, forgive me for seeming heartless and uncaring, believe me, I hate to see anyone lost their life, but why are we making such a fuss over one American solider dying in conflict?
Do we do this for every soldier who dies in conflict? Moreover, do we do it for everyone who dies?
It wasn’t like cold-blooded murder and the usual atrocious deaths that reach the media. He was a soldier. Last time I checked solder’s are meant to take risks. Soldiers know that they are risking their lives by joining the army. Soldiers have a choice to take part in conflict if they wish to.
But some people don’t. Hundred and thousands of people from war-torn countries die everyday, hundreds and thousands of people die of things that we take for granted everyday: lack of food, measles, dirty water.
When a disaster happens it makes the news, we hear the death toll and we all regret that something terrible has happened and mourn for them and their families.
But, read this quote..
“There were two 'Reigns of Terror', if we could but remember and consider it; the one wrought murder in hot passions, the other in heartless cold blood; the one lasted mere months, the other had lasted a thousand years; the one inflicted death upon a thousand persons, the other upon a hundred million; but our shudders are all for the "horrors of the... momentary Terror, so to speak; whereas, what is the horror of swift death by the axe compared with lifelong death from hunger, cold, insult, cruelty and heartbreak? A city cemetery could contain the coffins filled by that brief terror that we have all been so diligently taught to shiver at and mourn over; but all France could hardly contain the coffins filled by that older and real Terror - that unspeakable bitter and awful Terror which none of us has been taught to see in its vastness or pity as it deserves”
..and try to comprehend what it means.
There are places in the world were approximately 200,000 children are killed in conflict each year, where due to lack of medical help 515,000 women die of child birth each year and where over 1,100 million people don’t have access to clean water.
I know I sound like an Oxfam advert at the moment, but when you see the horrors and sadness of the “momentary terror” on the news, spare a thought or two for the thousands of people in the world who continue to die through lack of clean water and diseases which can be easily cured in the western world.
I feel strongly about the way the world is, I feel strongly about the way it isn’t equal. I feel strongly about how the media seems to portray that the death of a westerner is more important then the continuing deaths of thousands of people. I’m quite aware that “2,7000 people died of measles today in developing countries again” doesn’t make the news, because it’s always happening. The media likes to broadcast new things, like that death of that soldier. But we forget, I think, about the thousands each day when all that we see on the news is the “momentary terror”
All I want of the world is to be a little more equal and to remember the terror that lasts for thousands of years and claims the lives of many each day. I know it’s wishful thinking and I doubt the world will ever be perfect, far from it. I just don’t want to ignore it, even though there’s little I can do, I don’t want to stop being angry about the world like it is.
Don’t think I don’t feel sorry for that solider killed in Afghanistan, I do, I really do. He’s just one of the thousands of people’s deaths I feel sorry for.
Who wrote that quote? Mark Twain. Around a hundred years ago and still today it is true. The world hasn’t changed for the better in those years.
Page: