Awesome!

Hundreds of thousands died in World War 2. Could this generation handle that, or would our country be too divided to make such a sacrifice now?

tecoyah

I think the culture has changed with the larger World view, and Warfare has become something to avoid at all costs to many of the newest generation. I also think killing on the scale of WW2 would be unacceptable to this emerging society. That said, considering the realities that placed us in that war (Hitler, fascism, Pearl Harbor)...I find it likely we would be forced to act regardless, and the death toll would be much larger in this day and age.

There is no accurate comparison to make between WW2, and our current escapades....Apples and Oranges.

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aegyptos

Society today, in the west at least, doesn't have the moral fortitude to stick it out, no matter what was at stake.

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tecoyah

I would be forced to disagree. Take a closer look at what we have been willing to do in a much less threatening situation. We have started two wars, allowed certain liberties to be removed, spent enormous resources, compromised our national ethics, supported military invasion, and kept up support until it was painfully obvious the leadership was incapable of accomplishing victory as defined by not only itself, but virtually all agreed upon standards of warfare.
Now...Imagine what we would be doing right now, if an aggressor nation had decided to invade multiple countries friendly to us, or even allied. And had also blatantly attacked our shores, killed thousands of our soldiers, and destroyed part of our military might. In my opinion this country would react with the absolute decimation of the offending country(s), and have massive support from the population in doing so. Trying to place this scenario into the context of what we are doing in Iraq makes very little sense to me, as it is the difference between invading...and being invaded.

aegyptos

I don't believe that's true. Why do they have to backed into a corner before they'll do the right thing? We were attacked not long ago and more died than died at Pearl Harbor. 9/11 is mostly forgotten in this country and its totally forgotten among our "allies". Liberalism and the moral equivalance argument it advances has so sapped and attenuated the nationalist impulse that its impossible for young people to to see where their real interests lie. Young men should be thronging the recruiting stations right now if what you said was really true because we involved in a legitimate war with islamofascism but the places are mostly deserted.

independent_thinker2002

What you call "backed into a corner" many call a legitimate threat.

If we didn't lose focus on fighting terrorism by going to Iraq, recruiting might not be a problem.

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aegyptos

That might be true but there is still a legitimate war going on in Afganistan. Iraq makes a convenient excuse for this generation to avoid doing their duty, doesn't it? You make my point for me. Thanks.

Tashah

I just can't picture today's generation and the Billo's of the world being okay with using flamethrowers and the like.

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aegyptos

People on this board have dragged the Marine Corps from pillory to post for using napalm in Iraq. The same people cry out that land mines are cruel and should be banned. What a bunch of marshmallows. The best young Americans are fighting today in Iraq and Afghanistan. The rest of them? Well...you get the picture.

independent_thinker2002

LOL

What do you think the odds are of going to Iraq vs. Afghanistan? I have made no point for you. People realize that by joining up they will most likely be sent to Iraq.