Some thoughts concerning the suffering of american soldiers.

[Smith_3]

I have read this board for quite a while now and I have noticed that there is lots of coverage on the suffering of american soldiers in Iraq. I have developed some thoughts on this and would like to share them.

First of all, on an individual level I understand that the suffering of those american families, whose lives have been impaired by the Iraq war must be terrible and they have my full compassion. However, I would like to criticize a bit on the way this suffering is predominantly portrayed.

Having lived large parts of my life in Germany, I have personally witnessed the ever present discussion on how to deal with the suffering of german soldiers and german civilian citizens of World War II. In this context, it is commonly stated that in such discussion one must realize from the outset that Gemany was the SOLE aggressor of WWII. And this is a key issue! In the post WWII era, jews whose families were murdered by the nazis, often faced total disregard with respect to their suffering. A common phrase was something like "What do you want from me? Germans suffered too, you know!"

To this day, the suffering of germans during WWII remains a right-wing talking point!

However one looks like it though, the suffering of germans is not the same thing as the suffering of the victims of Germany. "my brother froze to death in Stalingrad" is not the same thing as "my brother was murdered in a concentration camp."

I would like to stress here that I hold the current situation in a similar regard. On a personal level, as I said, anyone who suffered a loss has my total compassion. However, when ones goes public with this issue it is absoluetely crucial that one always keeps in mind, that the USA were the SOLE aggressor of this war against a sovereign nation and that on a global scale, the suffering that was inflicted by the american nation upon the innocent population of a different country is not the same thing as the suffering of americans due to the conflict. On a global scale the suffering of americans in this context is to be seen as almost marginal!

So what is the progressive way of dealing with this? I urge everyone who considers himself a progressive to think about this for a while. I would suggest that in the future, if one likes to point out the suffering of people due to the Iraq war, one either expresses his condolences to all that have suffered or to the Iraqis that have suffered but never ever "only" to the americans that have suffered. This is like a slap in the face to all foreign victims of this war of agression, since it can very easily and very rightfully be viewed as a total disregard to their suffering that was caused by the american nation.

If you don't agree with me then please flame on.

[lonestarnot]

1. suffering is suffering, no matter who does it.

:thumbsup:

[Smith_3]

4. Sounds almost like Buddhism

;-)

[Squatch]

2. American soldiers are not suffering.

They're embracing the suck.

There's a difference.

[Smith_3]

5. Not sure if I understand the words "the suck" but thanks.

[flashl]

3. Thanks for a thoughtful post.

And, welcome to DU!

[mmonk]

6. People in the military that chose it

prior to this administration cannot be held responsible for the suffering they endure on order of that administration. The blame is not on the soldier, but on bad command. In their case, the choice to continue to serve can be rooted in their comradeship and bond. I have two extended family members currently serving and they are not monsters nor morally defunct.

[Smith_3]

7. My post does not intend to place blame on them.

I wish them well being.

[mmonk]

8. Nor mine intended to lessen the horror undergone to the Iraqi people.

Just wanted to assure that the suffering of those in service not be considered self-inflicted or deserving nor unworthy of compassion. You post is a good reminder that this suffering is unnecessary and wrong. Just felt the need to add.