I've seen a lot of insanity in my short twenty-seven years, this captures the spirit of all the stupidity I've witnesses and places it in stark relief for all to see. Why is it in us to perpetrate shit like this? What are we seeking to accomplish? Why is it considered glorious to die in a battle that you don't understand? A battle that you don't even know why you're fighting it, a battle that someone else is telling you to fight. You do so because you have some vague notion that your obedience is protecting the idea of peace, and safeguarding your family and loved ones.
I can't believe I ever bought into this bullshit. I used to have the same idiotically starry eyed notions in my head.
I understand the idea of people doing the right thing, but for the wrong reasons. Such as giving to charity for the recognition and accolades. The wrong thing, for the right reasons. Destroying half the galaxy trying to bring peace, and order to it.
What is this? Doing a foolish thing for a stupid reason? Pretty much the only way I can describe it. It just makes me feel like I've suffered all this time for absolutely no reason. I certainly no longer harbor any positive feelings toward the military, or the government for the most part. It's doing everything wrong.
The government should be afraid of it's people, not the other way around.
I try not to presume too much, and not pass off opportunities to learn something about the world, or myself. But I thought I really did understand how insane war was. Until the first time I read this, an excerpt from Slaughter House Five;