Anafax said:
Thank you all for your input. I do think the military gives structure to a person and that a manditory 2 year commitment wouldn't hurt for a lot of young people. But when it comes to learning about how governments often use other governments and their armies for other purposes (Suez) then the ones they state at the time, then I get to wondering just how much truth is in it all and the question of being justified pops-up. I will always want Canada to do the right thing (I'm NOT saying we're not) but issues of us helping other countries interests blindly in Bosnia which some say was a propaganda war which 95% of Europe wanted nothing to do with from the start because of its futile nature and unseen American influence stirs my blood. What do I know? We did the right thing, right? American government reportedly built the Saddam regime to fight the Iranians and now the whole issue of Frankenstein destoying his monster only this time it's for his oil and the glory of the new Imperial Rome. This in't our way, right? Do you think we did the right thing to keep our involvement minimal in that one? Looks like a big dog being torn apart by fleas.
Politics and soldiering don't mix, I know. I've heard it hundreds of times. But when it comes to WWII we don't have to think about right or wrong. We were just! Period! Obvious! End of story!
These days everything seems to have 2, 3 or 4 back stories, plot twists and undiscovered truths that a person can't possibly know if they're doing anything for the right reasons or not. Somehow blind faith just doesn't seem too comforting to me. That's why I wanted to see what the popular opinion is. If persons curently doing the job right now feel we're still following our tradition of helping the exploited or if we're just cleaning up a mess that americans feel won't yeild too much profit? They don't seem too overly interested in it anymore.
.....
ohhhhkay... i just want to put in my perspective. This perspective of mine, please keep in mind is coming from a civie who is signing up , but a civi none the less.
POLITICS ARE VERY IMPORTANT. You can do the 'keep your head down and dont care' act and do what ever anyone tells you. Thats fine and it works. But keep in mind that if you do not know the politics surrounding a war, you are in alot of trouble.
in world war 1 and 2. Yes... we were right... because we won. The other side would have said the same thing as they built their summer home in your back yard. The fact of the matter is, that as a country we defended our ideals, just as any country does when someone breaches its borders or attempts to overthrow those in power. Its the ideals of a country that dictate its politics. North america/europe, beleive in democracy, in free enterprise and free thought. But come down hard on people that want to shut that down. All over the world there are groups who's ideals are contrary to ours. We can leave it alone, and let them build up their countries, or wallow in the rubble they make. But as canadians, we also have an additional 'ideal'. We want to help those that cannot help themselves. As a country, as people, as individuals, we choose to do this. With our healthcare system, our welfare system, and even to dropping a quarter into a less fortunate mans hands. We want to help make things better. So i dont think that people will at any time stop voting to send our troops overseas when they feel that there is something worth helping with.
Correct me if i am wrong, but politics builds schools that other factions burns down. Politics protects womens rights. Politics protects those that practice a religion contrary to yours, and ensures that there is peacefull co-existance.
Also, just as a point of fact. the only reason that we are having so much negative press since the 60's is the fact that the media has litterally exploded, letting people see the realities and horrors of war and conflict overseas and as 'imbedded' journalism. Most poeople see this and realize that war is not clean, its not simple trench warfare, real people live and die, and that there are bad things that happen. The public then wants to react and keep its people safe. thus canvasing for the retraction of its forces. This also is a force of politics.
Dont get me wrong. I'm not standing here on my little soapbox trying to state how the world works. This is only my perspective and i truly feel that these are my ideals. I feel them strongly enough to enlist, and be placed in harms way, and possibly (though hopefully not) have to give my life for it someday. I suffer under no preconceptions that i could be in afganistan one week, and then under another government the next week, building schools in south america. I am willing to be directed by the politics of my country.
(you may begin throwing rocks in my general direction)
