The other side of the mirror

[Tribesman]

There is nothing wrong with joining the military.

True , however there is something very wrong with putting your life in the hands of an idiot politician for them to throw away on a political whim or in the interest of cutting short term spending.

[Banquo's Ghost]

True , however there is something very wrong with putting your life in the hands of an idiot politician for them to throw away on a political whim or in the interest of cutting short term spending.

Fair point. But then you can do the same by getting ill and going into a UK hospital.

[rasoforos]

Fair point. But then you can do the same by getting ill and going into a UK hospital.

You cynic, you!

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

True , however there is something very wrong with putting your life in the hands of an idiot politician for them to throw away on a political whim or in the interest of cutting short term spending.

It is freely done, it is his choice as an adult, and as a result it is his place, and not ours, to decide if it is right or wrong.

[Brenus]

My point is not if Afghanistan is a war to fight. My point is not is my nephew does the right things. He made his choices like I did, or his father did.
It is more about this strange feeling inside me.
I made my choices and took my risks. I told people I was free. I never really question my familly about my adventures...
I do respect my nephew's choices. I would probably do the same.
It is difficult to express. I somehow understand my familly's feeling better for the choices I made.
And I've get some questions about my own choices as well...
And another nephew (English this one) was toying with the idea to join the UK Army few months ago...
I remember when awake in a hospital, after having been hit by a rocket or mortar shell. The first think I remember was the eyes of my brother looking at me, with the horror light in it. When I thought "I am in deep ....".
The pain we imposed to our loved one by our choices... And our arrogance, necessary arrogance which help us in our choice, this perhaps selfishness to carry on.

I can't disapproved what he is doing without disapproving what I did.
But I can't stop to think "don't go, it's dangerous".

[Lemur]

Actually, it's kind of nice when your parent made questionable decisions when they were young. I remember countering my father when he got angry at me, pointing out that my irrational act was way less life-threatening than his at the same age.

Having a parent who never made a terrible mistake would be hell.

[Louis VI the Fat]

Il n'y a de bon dans l'homme que ses jeunes sentiments et ses vieilles pensées.

[Tribesman]

It is freely done, it is his choice as an adult, and as a result it is his place, and not ours, to decide if it is right or wrong.

Bollox .

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

Bollox .

Hardly.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

True , however there is something very wrong with putting your life in the hands of an idiot politician for them to throw away on a political whim or in the interest of cutting short term spending.

Since we can be reasonably certain that any political movement will eventually drift away from its own ideals (most have) and that a fair percentage of all our politicos will become corupt or "idiots" as you imply (seems nearly universal, at least with enough time in office), then by extension we should not ever join the military.

Thus, the state can never be trusted with power.

But if we never trust them with power, they cannot accomplish anything of value.

Where does this take us?

[Banquo's Ghost]

Since we can be reasonably certain that any political movement will eventually drift away from its own ideals (most have) and that a fair percentage of all our politicos will become corupt or "idiots" as you imply (seems nearly universal, at least with enough time in office), then by extension we should not ever join the military.

Thus, the state can never be trusted with power.

But if we never trust them with power, they cannot accomplish anything of value.

Where does this take us?

Ireland.

[Tribesman]

Two things wrong with your logic there

Thats because I am using your logic which was bollox

Ireland.