why did we not put so much emphasis on WW2 casualties when that war was going on then?Originally Posted by Nerf-Herder
From what I understand that's not really the case. You couldn't do jack at the time without hearing about it, including going to a theater.
WW2 was a no-brainer, a MUST win
japan declared war on us and attacked us -- germany declared war on us
WW2 was absolutely 100% national defense -- the war in Iraq is seen by many as being national offense
you said it yourself, WW2 casualties was not emphasized as much as Iraq because it was neccessary for the reason of national defense, so where is this family/friends/love part gonna come in???
Even more people see it as something good. 4 more years! :clap:
the "family//friends//loved ones" part is always there -- if we really feel a war is just, we dont put much emphasis on the personal costs until it is over
wars that are deemed "optional" (ie vietnam and iraq) by a significant part of the population will bring the personal cost issue to the forefront far before the war is over
the fact that both of us are americans and are arguing about the casualties in the iraq war on the internet instead of being in iraq ourselves fighting the war speaks to that truth
if i really felt threatened by what was happening under a saddam controlled iraq, i would have picked up a gun and charged into baghdad myself
btw -- if you support the war, are able-bodied, and you are of age -- why exactly havent you enlisted?
Because that's a silly argument.
I doubt that you are in favour of starving children in, say, Africa. The logical thing to assume then is that you are in favour of alleviating their hunger. Yet you are both able-bodied, and presumably of age (since you ask the same question), and here you are, typing instead of growing food to send over there. Or flying over there with foodstuffs. Or hell even buying food to send over.
One can support a cause without actively being involved in it. Do you support your local firefighters in fighting fires? Are you able-bodied and of age? Why exactly have you not gone to your local firehouse to try and get in? I could go on.
I think the answer is a simple one: death is a serious business, no matter what the scale. Doing this pseudo-scientific comparative death calculus does not, I believe, create an accurate reflection of the situation, then or now, or provide any sort of valid basis on which comparison can occur.
Re: Soviet casualties on the eastern front. I remember when I was an undergrad in college doing some statistical analysis of WWII combat deaths, and I came across that number and was completely shocked. The version of the war presented to Americans in our schools and in popular culture is not at all an accurate reflection of reality. Engagements like the Battle of the Bulge or Midway shrink to insignificance when compared with the titanic struggle played out on the plains and in the cities of eastern Europe.
if there were a fire in my living room, i'd fight it
Something in your question reminded me of this quote:
"The death of one person is a tragedy. The death of millions is a statistic." ... Josef Stalin
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