Do We Have A Moral Obligation To Discuss The Coming War

[chalambok]

AS Abigail Adams said, "Great necessities call out great abilities." Are we teaching all the time, or are we posing as teachers but toeing the party line to better make a buck? What do you think, should we invade Iraq or not? Should martial artists take moral stands or not? Here is my opinion, as a martial Artist and not a martial Scientist. Read into it what you will, but understand an important part of the martial path is learning to open yourself unafraid and show who you really are


War Story

None of us returned the same as we left
Our morals unburned and our souls bereft
Of passion, and honor and youthful confidence
Destroyed by the blood of religious indifference
Horrors yet unknown are no longer feared
But love, yes love, was not found through my years
Alone I walked over fresh-plowed earth
Back to the small town that gave me birth
To die inside a thousand times over
Yearning to feel the arms of a lover
Too crazy, they said
He believes in more
Than envy, and gluttony, and profit from war
Don't go away mad
Just go away
And fight their battles again another day
And those who claim the passion for country
Stay behind and send the poor, the unlucky
To die for them instead of their own
And never earn the right, but steal their way home

[DJ Coldfusion]

Re: Do We Have A Moral Obligation To Discuss The Coming War

Originally posted by chalambok
What do you think, should we invade Iraq or not? Should martial artists take moral stands or not?

Our status as martial artists is moot in this discussion. We as human beings have an ethical obligation to take a moral stand on the subject.

The question is where or when is it ethically proper to make such a stand for or against something as intimidatingly huge as a war. Do we discuss it here, at work, at church, on the bus, wit our neighbors' kids? Where is it appropriate to discuss something as big as this?

Personally, I believe that there are forums (physical as well as virtual) that are already present and provide a decent opportunity to discuss and debate war related issues. This is a Thai boxing forum and IMHO should remain a Thai boxing forum.

I have a friend who was called up last week. He is a special forces soldier and will be leaving a wife and four kids, the youngest of which is 3 days younger than my own 10 month old baby. Personally, I don't know how they are going to make it on the reduced income that his full-time service is going to generate, but I do know that he is as loyal an American as any person I have ever met and his wife is right there on that.

At the same time I do not always agree with my own administrations policies, but I won't let my distaste for some of our administations actions lessen my admiration for those who have to carryout the policies enacted.

I pray this war is diverted and that nobody else has to die to resolve the situation.

Now that I've discussed the situation, after saying this wasn't necessarily the place to do it, I'll shut up and go back to work.

[JIMI]

America is making a moral stand by getting rid of Saddam period!

[ryanhall]

Personally, I believe that there are forums (physical as well as virtual) that are already present and provide a decent opportunity to discuss and debate war related issues. This is a Thai boxing forum and IMHO should remain a Thai boxing forum.

Correct. This thread is over. Sorry guys.