When I was a kid, back in the 50's and 60's, I used to go to the Rialto Theater and take in war movies. In those days it was fun for a dorky little ten year old to see films when the Americans kicked the butts of Germans and Japs. I don't mention the Italians under Mussolini because these dudes where pathetic when it came to fighting and, most importantly, killing the enemy.
Playing war was a neat game as a kid. The lad who lived behind our home had a dad who brought home from the conflict a number of rifles. We'd get ten or twelve guys and divide up the weapons our dads brought home from the great conflict. We'd pick sides and the pretend killing would commence. Some of the guys were Japs but we all wanted to be Americans because we knew we were going to be the victors. It was horrible being a Nazi or Jap because you knew, in the end, you were dead.
The best aspect about WWII movies for me was, aside from the fact the good guys always won, was we never really saw the horrors of war in these movies--------the up close death and destruction; blood and guts if you will.
I've developed a very nice relationship the past couple years with a gentleman I consider absolutely brilliant when it comes to thought processes. I won't go into detail but he's a renowned psychologist with the words Dr. in front of his name and with a resume' that causes me to never, ever let him know I'm a Phy Ed Major. Why should I embarrass myself? Anyway, we were talking via the phone a couple weeks ago and he asked if I'd seen a certain war movie he and his wife were going to attend. To be honest I'd never heard of the title and furthermore I can't tell you the title to this day.. What I do know is I told him I don't attend war films. The reason for this has to do with the movie, Saving Private Ryan. Let me cut to the chase. For me that film was too realistic when it comes to war and killing and death and destruction. There was one scene that has stuck with me and it solidified how I feel about war. In the film a German soldier had an American on his back and promptly put a very large knife in the gut of the American and he did it slowly. It was realistically gruesome. This scene must have had an impact on me because to this day I will not view a movie dealing with war, any war.
This might seem strange because it's the older crowd who determines who fights and dies while the older generations are the ones who make the decisions about life and death of our youngest generations. If you don't believe me check out the history of congressmen who vote to send our son's to their deaths. The most horrendous of these votes would be WWI and if you don't believe me look it up.
The reason I broach the subject of war is because our administration has rallied the American people to support a war between Ukraine and Russia. Let me say right now I am totally against this conflict and our participation. If you don't know we are actually involved in a proxy war. We supply all weapons for war to Ukraine to fight against the Ruskies. Also, if you don't know we have soldiers, U.S. soldiers, on the ground in Ukraine offering any and all assistance. Folks, we ARE IN A WAR! Do you want this war? Do you even care?
My best friend in the Columbus Ohio area is totally for our involvement. This same friend has never listened or watched a news show on the subject or our Ukraine involvement. My best friend couldn't find Ukraine on a map if someone took his finger and placed it on Ukraine on a globe. Yet, he is all for our military involvement. Of course, I asked him a question. Jeffrey, why are you all in on this subject? And his answer was innocent people needed to be protected and they are dying. I then asked him a question and you might consider this yourself. Is it our duty to protect the world from annihilation? And his answer was, in this case, yes.
So then I continued: Is it the responsibility of the United States to insure the safety and protection of all people of the world who are in danger of losing their lives due to war?(Which has been going on since man first became irritated with all other enemies)? Jeffrey had no answer.
My question to you is should we, the United States of America, protect all the downtrodden? If you respond with 'yes' then consider the following: These are the nations of the world now at war; some civil and others not. Do you want our country to become involved in these conflicts Why not? If you said no would it be because these nations are composed of black folks? Be honest with me. Would it be because the populations practice the Muslim religion?
Category: 1,000 to 10,000 casualties in 2022 (ongoing conflicts):
| Country | Type of conflict |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | civil war & terrorist insurgency |
| Burkina Faso | terrorist insurgency |
| Colombia | civil war/drug war |
| DR Congo | terrorist insurgency |
| Ethiopia | civil war |
| Iraq | terrorist insurgency & political unrest |
| Mali | civil war & terrorist insurgency |
| Mexico | drug war |
| Nigeria | terrorist insurgency |
| Somalia | civil war |
| South Sudan | ethnic violence |
| Sudan | terrorist insurgency |
| Syria | civil war |
| Yemen | civil war |
I'm might be off base on the subject of war and killing and all that jazz but when it comes to wars I say 'butt out'. What say you?
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