I consider myself quite a lefty, but really fall into the DemSoc range of things. Not far left enough for hexbear or .ml, and too far left for any other groups, really. I hate being so reluctant to post on .ml communities just to avoid a blanket ban, but it is what it is. Just kinda sucks.
Oh, no. You misunderstood. I absolutely acknowledge that. It’s a pretty spicy issue in my area. It would pretty rad to choose where my taxes go, though. I’d much rather fund schools and national parks. I think that’s dragging things a bit off-topic, though.
It’s not a justification for genocide, it’s a call for empathy. Give what I wrote another read with that in mind.
As for your questions… I think our soldiers are victims. I was there, so I think I’ve got at least a somewhat informed perspective on things. It’s not something you can prepare for. In my experience, forgiveness and understanding come with time, but it will never be the majority.
It absolutely could, and should. I’m not saying that the crimes should be forgiven, but it is not a purely black and white area. It is very grey. To ignore the fact that they were ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances, just because it’s uncomfortable to think about, would be a disservice towards efforts to prevent things like this in the future. People are complex.
Posted this in another thread, gonna post it here, too.
“Looking another human being in the eye, making an independent decision to kill him, and watching as he dies due to your action combine to form one of the most basic, important, primal, and potentially traumatic occurrences of war.”
It’s an unpopular take, but I recommend everyone read the book “On Killing” by Dave Grossman. It’s obvious that what Israel is doing is very much a genocide, but I stand firm in my opinion that their boots-on-the-ground infantryman are also victims of the Israeli political machine.
I mean, obviously. As a single person, definitely. But issues require groups, groups require compromise, and that’s the political system. The whole thing is set up to encourage factionalism. And factions get boiled down to their simplest parts.
I feel like I just wrote in a big circle. Anyways, yeah, I agree. Lol.
Also totally valid. We need a political hypercube or something. It’s a complex thing, with a lot of gadgets and variables. Just human nature to try and simplify it I guess.
It’s been memed to death at this point, but this is one reason I like the political compass. It’s got width and height, and does a little bit of a better job at representing things.
I’m a pretty big fan of Dark and Darker! Will admit, the randoms from the Discord are… Questionable at best lol. Would definitely be happy to roll with ya whenever you’re not streaming, though! PM me your deets!
Ah, rural Colorado. So beautiful. So concerning. Lol.