Johnny Got His Gun

Someone once said that all wars would cease if soldiers simply refused to fight. The politicians and leaders of societies/civilizations never get their fingernails dirty. They hand imperatives down to military commanders who then recruit, muster and send young men and women off to kill "the enemy" -- who are just other young men and women.

The young men and women are indoctrinated into perceiving themselves as fighting (and dying) for a more noble cause than their opponents. If these young men and women were in pre-possession of the full scope of war -- the way wars are manifested and their aftermath, perhaps it would be possible for them to simply say "no."

In fairness to their education about war, these men and women should be exposed to the full spectrum of the political intricacies that bring war to the horizon, as well as all of its myriad implications. A line on their induction papers ought to question, "Are you willing to risk the possibility of being turned into a thinking vegetable as part of your service?" This same procedure SHOULD be part of the recruitment process for "so called" religious zealots.

Exposure to a motion picture like "Johnny" ought to place a question mark in the minds of any potential recruit anywhere in the world. It's viewing should be mandatory for all would-be soldiers.

My guess is that with a fully-rounded comprehension of war's less savory aspects, not many individuals would feel inclined to fill the ranks. Then, without armies to serve their whims, what would world "leaders" do to fulfill their ambitions and dubious compulsions?

Knowledge is power. Withholding knowledge from the uninitiated is perverse, criminal and evil. Young man, before you sign on the dotted line, watch this film and think about it for a few days then measure what you feel against your (probably unconscious and manipulated) notions of patriotism, duty and honor.