RoR: Forum

Post 20

Saturday, March 3, 2007 - 10:28am

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     Remarque's book probably was pacifist-motivated. It was about the 'evils' of war, ostensibly as Trumbo's JOHNNY GET YOUR GUN was, but, the latter was more clearly pacifistically meant.
     However, AQOTWF was really about the idea that 'grunts' (as opposed to generals [think CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE] and pol-'leaders') have to bear the brunt of war, regardless which side they're on, and even, being drafted (taken for granted as acceptable in those times!) regardless their doubts or beliefs about the war they're stuck in.
     Worth reading...and thinking about, especially now we have a 'volunteer' military which has 'draft' extensions.

LLAP
J:D

Post 21

Saturday, March 3, 2007 - 10:39am

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     Speaking of 'war', generally, all said and done, I don't think any world-boss wannabe ever really wants 'war.' War requires an initiator and a defender (or, defender proxy!). I have little doubt that even the likes of Hitler didn't want any war. Such really wants to just walk in and take over. Their prob is seeing that some have 'defenses' ready to fight any such attitude displayed, ergo...

     Strictly speaking, war is ALWAYS 'started' by those who fight back (or protect others from) a walk-in invasion.--- Rome had no prob with slaves...'till Spartacus started a war.

     No fighting= no war.

LLAP
J:D

Post 22

Saturday, March 3, 2007 - 11:16am

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Addendum:

Indeed, I see some possibly basic similarities 'twixt AQOTWF and Crane's RED BADGE OF COURAGE. Both have to do with deserters (though, temporarily in Crane's story) for starters, doubts about the worth of being there, etc, yet...

Then, relating one way or another to all, there's Kovic's BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY. Now, here, we are not talking a mere ideologue!

LLAP
J:D

P.S: Anyone catch the movie ELVIRA MADIGAN?

(Edited by John Dailey on 3/03, 11:19am)