>While it is very important to
>be able to develop thoughts
>and ideals for everyone to
>be governed under, it's just
>as important to have an
>executive branch that can enforce
>those laws and ideals.
>Ideals and positions are needed,
>but if you don't enforce
>and uphold them then it
>is simply nothing but some
>words on a sheet of
>paper. That is where
>military and police come in.

And what about us, the civilians? What are we, chopped liver? Don't we have a say in how those laws and regulations are to be enforced? So many folks seem to forget that the police and the military are, beneath the uniform, ordinary citizens.

>To think you can do it
>all yourself is being naive.
> If you don't think
>the military is important, then
>go and try to make
>war with China by yourself.
> The communists will send
>you to Canton province in
>a chinese food box.

I didn't question the importance of the military, only their supposed role as the end-all be-all of the defense of democracy.

What's the role of the military? Ultimately, to kill. No matter how nice a gloss you put on it, that's the brutal truth. As my martial arts teacher once said, "A sword is a weapon. Martial arts are killing arts. If you wish to study the sword, be prepared to kill someday."

I've been to Guangdong province. It's actually quite nice, despite rampant pollution and the fact that the locals routinely eat snakes and grubs.

>Also, one thing most people don't
>realize is when you start
>physically fighting for political interests
>then that makes you all
>soldiers. Therefore if you
>willing to fight for something,
>then you are a soldier
>for that cause. Think
>about it.

I've been there. I had the dubious pleasure of living in the Philippines during the Marcos era, and I can still remember the protests that were visited by the military and police armed with tear gas, water cannons, and batons. I've been caught in the middle of the fighting, and I've fought myself. It's something no six year-old should ever experience.

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Densetsu no hitokiri, Himura Battousai.

"If victories are flawless, then what are you gonna land on?" - Thirstin Howl III

"I prefer manga, with mecha..." - Del

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Your San Francisco Giants: 4.26.2005 - 8.15.2005.