Anton P. Nym post=18.75079.856357 said:
Probably not. I'd like to think I could do more good by living for my country than bleeding out for it. Martyrs can't perform first aid or help with post-war reconstruction. And yes, I'm a bit of a coward; just not enough of a coward to prefer dying to dealing with the aftermath.
-- Steve
During WWII, that would make you a collaborator, because you've no idea which side would win the war, and untill the summer of '44 when the Soviets annihilated Army Group Central and the Americans landed in Normandy, Germany was the most promising side, so helping the reconstruction of Europe is helping occupied areas.
WlknCntrdiction post=18.75079.856308 said:
Hell no. I don't fight other peoples battles, mine are hard enough as they are each day, what with uni and studying to get a better job and earn more money
Jursa post=18.75079.856399 said:
I always say: I would fight to protect my family, I would fight to protect my friends but I wouldn't lose my life for the soil I stand on.
zhoomout post=18.75079.856321 said:
Couldn't have put it better myself!
It's not obvious where the battle that decides your family's fate would be fought, for example, in December 1937 300,000+ civilians were slaughtered when the Japanese entered Nanking, but the battle that decided their fate was fought a few weeks earlier in Shanghai.
Another example would be The loss of France contributing directly to the Battle of Britain resulting in thousands dying from German bombers using French airfields.
Another example is the spy plane pilots in the 50s and 60s scouting out nuclear missiles, like Gary Powers.
Another less clear example would be American Jews in WWII.
During the Second Sino Japanese war ('37-'45) a lot of Chinese people had exactly this attitude of "I would fight for my family, but not for my country". As a result factionalism was a major problem. Lots of Generals famously retreating entire army groups in front of the advancing Japanese. Lots of provinces failed to aid the defence of neighbouring provinces, etc.
If you are not willing to defend other people? Who is willing to defend you?
Chickenlittle post=18.75079.856304 said:
It would depend on what happened. If there was a good chance my death would help my country & keep it sovereign, it would be a possibility. However, I would not want to die a pointless death.
It's never clear whether or not your death would be pointless or not.
Was the death of the thousands at Normand '44 pointless? No.
Was the death of Mr Joe Blob who charged out of his boat and got shot straight away pointless? Probably yes.
Was the death of the thousands of Waffen SS soldiers at the battle of Kharkiv '43 pointless? At the time no one thought so, this was the first major victory after defeat at Stalingrad, and presented the Germans with the real opportunity of survival on the Eastern Front. But ultimately, it was pointless, because the Soviets won at Kursk and again in the summer campaign of '44.
gmer412 post=18.75079.856302 said:
You might want to have an "undecided" option...
I delibrately just gave two options, yes or no, because if the time ever comes, then that's that, Yes or No, you just gotta choose one or the other. As for the differing circumstances, it's never black or white, especially with things like "war on drugs" and "war on terror", but I was thinking of a real war.
