Armed forces?

[bliink]

Would you join the armed forces of your country if it was engaged in a war/conflict?
A real war (i.e not like Iraq, think a developed country declares war)
If your country was invaded/under real threat of invasion?

In short, what would have to happen to make you join? or why would you not join?

(wait for poll)

 

[KidRock]

Would you join the armed forces of your country if it was engaged in a war/conflict?
A real war (i.e not like Iraq, think a developed country declares war)
If your country was invaded/under real threat of invasion?

In short, what would have to happen to make you join? or why would you not join?

(wait for poll)

Of course I would join.. Just like I would have in WWII or Vietnam if I was able to.

 

[Tr0n]

Well...All of them except "None" and "other".Once I get 18 I'm probally gonna join the state militia...but if a war does happen (not on our soil) I'll join the Army (Rangers)...

 

[MadHatter]

I could deliver a lengthy answer to this, but I don't want to torture you and I'm not in the mood. I'd join if my country is being invaded, if Europe, Australia, Canada, etc., is being invaded, and if space aliens invaded Earth. Otherwise, countries like Russia, China and so forth can manage themselves fairly well.

By the way, that reminds me of something: Nobody could, or would want to, invade Canada because Canada is sitting in the penthouse of the currently most powerful military on Earth. They have security free of charge lol.

 

[bliink]

I could deliver a lengthy answer to this, but I don't want to torture you and I'm not in the mood. I'd join if my country is being invaded, if Europe, Australia, Canada, etc., is being invaded, and if space aliens invaded Earth. Otherwise, countries like Russia, China and so forth can manage themselves fairly well.

By the way, that reminds me of something: Nobody could, or would want to, invade Canada because Canada is sitting in the penthouse of the currently most powerful military on Earth. They have security free of charge lol.

What country are you a citizen of? if you dont mind me asking..

 

[MadHatter]

What country are you a citizen of? if you dont mind me asking..

America. Don't worry, I'm not some rabid, nationalistic freak or redneck who's gun crazy. I just feel connected to certain other countries -- especially the ones that would have a hard time defending themselves against a massive invasion like all of Europe or Australia.

Why do you ask?

 

[bliink]

America. Don't worry, I'm not some rabid, nationalistic freak or redneck who's gun crazy. I just feel connected to certain other countries -- especially the ones that would have a hard time defending themselves against a massive invasion like all of Europe or Australia.

Why do you ask?

hehe.. never heard an american saying they would come to the defense of australia

 

[MadHatter]

hehe.. never heard an american saying they would come to the defense of australia

Why not? I'm sure they'd do the same for America.

 

[Tr0n]

America. Don't worry, I'm not some rabid, nationalistic freak or redneck who's gun crazy.

Hmmmm...I'm a redneck..that likes guns... :frown:

 

[bliink]

Why not? I'm sure they'd do the same for America.

well, i'm sure we could try lol

 

[MadHatter]

Hmmmm...I'm a redneck..that likes guns... :frown:

Want to husk corn with me?

 

[MadHatter]

well, i'm sure we could try lol

Eh, trying is enough for me. If their fleet gets suck, oh well, they tried.

 

[Tr0n]

Damn stereotypes.... ;( yankee

 

[jaguar_987]

Thats a tough one for me, I'd have to decide which military to join, US or Britain. Whichever one I go in I lose the other nationality.

So unless it was a major war I wouldn't go into the army, not worth losing a nationailty over lol

 

[MadHatter]

Damn stereotypes.... ;( yankee

Yeah, I know. I guess I'm a prissy city boy, too.

 

[KiNG]

course. if america was threatened with war or moreover in war, i would join. dont know if it still applies to me though since i plan on going in anyway. after i git meh bachelors degree.

 

[Neutrino]

That's a hard question for me to answer. I disagree on a fundamental level with taking another human's life.

However, there are some circumstances in which I might do so. For an easy example I would probably be capable of it if my family was attacked. So by extension, I would probably join if our country was being invaded. But, I must put in a qualifier there. It would depend on why our country was being invaded. Hypothetically, if the US got out of control, starting commiting genocide or some other abhorrent atrocity and other countries invaded to stop us then I would not join. I don't agree with blind patriotism and I would not support or defend a country that perpetrates such acts.

As for other situtations, it would depend. If it was something like World War II then yes I would probably join because that situation was jepordizing our basic freedoms and I think those are worth defending.

Let's see, I would probably join in a civilian militia if our government ever became so corrupt that it started taking people's basic rights away and a revolution was needed.

The wars in other countries that are not threatening us is a bit more complex. If one of our allies was being invaded and oppressed than yes I would probably join. But it would truly depend on what exactly the circumstances were, who was invading whom, and for what reasons. Just like my above example with the US I would not defend an ally that commited something like genocide.

Iraq or something similar? No, I wouldn't join. I strongly disagree with our current pre-emptive strike policy and I do not and would not support it.


But even for the cases I listed in which I would join it would be an incredibly difficult decision for me. As I said, I do not think taking another human being life is right. But I am also pretty realistic and I realize sometimes the greater good can be accomlished by killing those who would harm others. But in the end, if I went to war it would be to protect people, not a nation. I would fight if peoples lives or rights were in jepordy, not just because I'm a citizen of a specific country. Though I would really prefer never to have to make that decision.

 

[aeroripper]

Let's see, I would probably join in a civilian militia if our government ever became so corrupt that it started taking people's basic rights away and a revolution was needed.

*cough* i've always wondered what a dictatorship would be like in america

 

[bliink]

But even for the cases I listed in which I would join it would be an incredibly difficult decision for me. As I said, I do not think taking another human being life is right. But I am also pretty realistic and I realize sometimes the greater good can be accomlished by killing those who would harm others. But in the end, if I went to war it would be to protect people, not a nation. I would fight if peoples lives or rights were in jepordy, not just because I'm a citizen of a specific country. Though I would really prefer never to have to make that decision though.

wow... you thought about that answer more than i thought about the question lol..

what about, hypothetically of course, there was an opportunity to join armed forces for a war against aliens. (i'm not getting silly with this) but, if the 'enemy' was not human.. would their 'rights' be as important as a humans? if they were openly hostile towards the human race, we'll say...

would you 'get in the fight' just for the sake of wasting some space critters a la starship troopers?

 

[MadHatter]

If the aliens are landing everywhere, blowing up cities, exterminating people, and gestating offspring in peoples' chests, then yes, I'd volunteer for special forces to be thrown into the thick of the fray.

 

[jaguar_987]

wow... you thought about that answer more than i thought about the question lol..

what about, hypothetically of course, there was an opportunity to join armed forces for a war against aliens. (i'm not getting silly with this) but, if the 'enemy' was not human.. would their 'rights' be as important as a humans? if they were openly hostile towards the human race, we'll say...

would you 'get in the fight' just for the sake of wasting some space critters a la starship troopers?

lol, sorry I know you was trying to be serious to an extent, but still lol

For some reason Independance Day comes to mind.

 

[Steve]

heh...you forgot "when i flunk out of college". that's what i'll choose.

 

[f|uke]

That's a hard question for me to answer. I disagree on a fundamental level with taking another human's life.

However, there are some circumstances in which I might do so. For an easy example I would probably be capable of it if my family was attacked. So by extension, I would probably join if our country was being invaded. But, I must put in a qualifier there. [..] if the US got out of control, starting commiting genocide or some other abhorrent atrocity [..] I would not support or defend a country that perpetrates such acts.

Couldn't have said it better myself. This is exactly how I feel.

 

[Neutrino]

wow... you thought about that answer more than i thought about the question lol..

Heh, I've thought about it quite a bit because it's somewhat of a conundrum for me. I can intellectually recognize the need for some wars, but I have a hard time reconciling that with my own ideas of what is right and wrong.

what about, hypothetically of course, there was an opportunity to join armed forces for a war against aliens. (i'm not getting silly with this) but, if the 'enemy' was not human.. would their 'rights' be as important as a humans? if they were openly hostile towards the human race, we'll say...

Interesting question. If it was an unprovoked hostility then probably yes. Would their rights be as important as humans' rights? Yes. I do not see why one sentient being should have a greater right to basic freedoms than another sentient being. Although the issue get's incredibly complicated when you bring an alien civilization into the picture.

By definition they are alien. They would probably be nothing like us and their social structure and modes of thought would most likely be incomprehensible. So what we consider human rights might not apply whatsoever in their culture and vise versa. Perhaps they evolved from an aggresive carnivorous species rather than an omniverous one like we did. This could result in some very fundamental differences which would be very difficult to come to terms with. If the word "carnivorous" would even have any meaning that is. Or what if they were some form of caste species like ants or bees?

The possiblity for fundamental differences is enormous and thus any question regarding alien/human rights is potentionally fraught with numerous problems, some of which could probably result in the extinction of one of our species.

would you 'get in the fight' just for the sake of wasting some space critters a la starship troopers?

Definitely not. I see no logical reason to consider one sentient species superior to another. That's just a form of racism on a grand level and it is just as illogical.

 

[MadHatter]

Now wait, the Starship Troopers example is bad. Hell yeah I'd waste those bugs. They don't care about you and you're just a natural enemy / food for them.

If extraterrestrials come in peace, then I'd definitely not attack them. Who the hell would?

 

[Tr0n]

Dude...if they invade the planet I'm gonna kill'em all and let god sort'em out.Hell while your thinking "I can't not kill another being" they will be thinking "mmmmm...dinner".So yea...it's ether us or them...

 

[bliink]

If extraterrestrials come in peace, then I'd definitely not attack them. Who the hell would?

hehe..

"We need a world where we can experience freedom, and democracy, freedom is important, and so is god... therefore, we should kill these things"

 

[jaguar_987]

Now wait, the Starship Troopers example is bad. Hell yeah I'd waste those bugs. They don't care about you and you're just a natural enemy / food for them.

If extraterrestrials come in peace, then I'd definitely not attack them. Who the hell would?

Yea but he was saying if they came in an aggressive nature.

EDIT: NM Didn't read the posts before properly

 

[Steve]

i will TOTALLY kick an alien in the ****in' throat

 

[Homer]

Aliens aren't going to invade our planet.

You know why?

The technology necessary to travel to our planet from anywhere you may find other intelligent life in the universe would put them on a level that would make fighting back not only pointless, but impossible.

 

[Tr0n]

i will TOTALLY kick an alien in the ****in' throat

Kung Fu style.

 

[bliink]

Aliens aren't going to invade our planet.

You know why?

The technology necessary to travel to our planet from anywhere you may find other intelligent life somewhere in the universe would put them on a level that made fighting back not only pointless, but impossible.

lol.. I could argue with you there... but i want my thread to stay within at least 5 lightyears of its original topic

 

[Steve]

Aliens aren't going to invade our planet.

You know why?

The technology necessary to travel to our planet from anywhere you may find other intelligent life in the universe would put them on a level that made fighting back not only pointless, but impossible.

so...what you're sayin' is...aliens are pussies?

 

[jaguar_987]

Aliens aren't going to invade our planet.

You know why?

The technology necessary to travel to our planet from anywhere you may find other intelligent life in the universe would put them on a level that would make fighting back not only pointless, but impossible.

Unless its Independance Day!! ARGHHHHHH

 

[Homer]

I didnt word that so well... I am pretty drunk at the moment so bare with me, What I mean is IF they DID invade we would not be able to fight back.

Its the same deal with this area 51 crap. If they can navigate all the way to earth I dont think they are gunna crash in new ****ing mexico.

 

[Tr0n]

Well I know aliens wouldn't want to take on a bunch of raging rednecks...

 

[Homer]

And I would join the militairy if we were to go to war with china, or any 3 other nations at once. Or if I managed to drop out of college, but with every passing semester that looks less and less likely .

 

[bliink]

I didnt word that so well... I am pretty drunk at the moment so bare with me, What I mean is IF they DID invade we would not be able to fight back.

Its the same deal with this area 51 crap. If they can navigate all the way to earth I dont think they are gunna crash in new ****ing mexico.

I'm not saying that would happen in this day/age, thats why i was careful to stress that it was hypothetical lol

 

[Steve]

Well I know aliens wouldn't want to take on a bunch of raging rednecks...

yeah, tr0n. they KNOW we'd **** 'em up.

 

[jaguar_987]

Well I know aliens wouldn't want to take on a bunch of raging rednecks...

They'd see the war in Iraq and turn the other way or George Bush's face. Anything would run at the sight of that.