I take another position on the military

I accept a great deal of what you, and others here, have said about this.

But, we must be careful not to generalize, or stereotype.

I'm essentially a pacifist. Violence is never a good answer to anything. That doesn't mean, though, that it isn't right to defend, either oneself or others.

Before too many of you roll your eyes, and think to yourselves that pacifists are the guys & gals who are cowards, who just stand on the sidelines not doing much & letting other people get shot, killed or generally beat up without actually doing anything about it - that's really not true.

Pacificism doesn't really mean that at all. It's nothing to do with draft-dodging, or apathy. It just means a recognition that violence isn't necessary to solve any problem, is all.

If there was ever another draft, Vietnam/WW 2 style, I would go. But, it would be on the condition that I would go in a non-combative role, such as a medical orderly, a radio operator, war photograher, stretcher bearer, or some other type of role.

And you'd be surprised how welcoming the military would be of this (and I know - I have a few friends in the military), as these are actually some of the most dangerous jobs in war. The enemy will be taing potshots at you, and you will have no weapon with which to defend yourself - just your wits. So, these are not posts that have a great take-up rate...

I would still put myself on the front line, though. And if there was ever an invasion of my counrty, I would stand and defend the civilian population against any harm. To me, that's simply my duty as a human being - to protect and help others.

I would also not object, as a pacifist, to being drafted into the UN Peace Corps. After all, their aim is exactly the same as mine - to promote peaceful solutions, and to try to diffuse violence and destruction.

Were I the President, or Prime Minister/Mullah/[name leader here] I would also make sure that I was on the front line.

As President, if I ask the men and women of the military, or civilians in te case of a draft, to go to war, then I feel that it should be rightly expected that I too should join them.

Never mind the advice my so-called 'advisors' would give me, that I am too important to be killed - I would ensure that I would have a named successor to take my place in that event.

You must never ask of others what you are not prepared to do yourself.

Lastly, I would like to say that I know a lot of people who are in the military.

Some of them are hot-headed idiots, with 'Kill,kill, kill' written into their heads.

But, most of them are not. Some of them joined the military exacty because of what they saw happening in 'Nam, and WW 2, and they wanted to join because they were so appalled by the atrocities they saw/learned that took place, and they hope that in even the smallest way, they could stop that ever happening again. And they also joined to protect their homeland, and thier friends, families, and civilians of that homeland.

Those that joined for the second reason, I have found have very high principles, that haven't cumbled, even in war. And they are the very least violent or nasty people. They would stick up for anyone who they felt had had any injustice done against them.

I don't think that the war in Iraq is justified, and nor do I think that politically, strategically or morally it makes any sense whatsoever.

I'm sure, though, that Mr Cheney would offer a different opinion. Just like he'd have a different opinion about how his company (Halliburton, previously Kellogg, Brown & Root (KBR)) has successfully ripped off the British government in several contracts, taking the money & then leaving them with results that could be considered substandard.

Seeing as Mr Cheney was one of the 'hawks', let's see him & his friends on the front line...

But as I said, be careful about stereotyping. We fight that battle ourselves - let us all keep that in mind at all times...

T.