Comment 2

Comment 3

Comment 4 (Awaiting Moderation)

Comment 5

Comment 6

Comment 7 (Awaiting Moderation)

Comment 8 (Awaiting Moderation)

Comment 9

Comment 10 (Awaiting Approval)

I’ll be honest with ya, I tried to do my best with this blog. I’m not the kind of person who loves to read, or reads leisurely. I love to write creatively, don’t get me wrong, and I would have been able to get through this thing a lot easier if I tried to analyze more. I did my best and found interesting subjects that mattered to the themes and elements within most of our books, poems and essays in order to write something meaningful and concise. I hate describing my work or even reviewing it, peer-reviews are always ‘fun’ to be a part of with me cause I practically roll over and allow other people to take the wheel. I hope that my work that I posted was meaningful enough for anyone and everyone who read it.

The class has been a lot of fun for me, I may have come in late a bunch of times and nearly fallen asleep but don’t take that as me being uninterested(lol)! I loved the class discussions and going deeper into the books we read, something that I rarely did before this class. I love taking things at face value, it keeps the entertainment there and I don’t have to worry about the technical stuff, but this class forced me to think about the subject matter and actual meaning behind the work (Vonnegut was a particular “thrill ride” in this area) and I came out of it positively and actually liking what I found.
Thank you Prof. Rozema and everyone for the great semester!

From what I have seen it all comes down to a sense of Authority and Obedience. A well speaking individual in power who says he or she represents the people and/or their God, and/or their Nation can get away with practically anything. A test was done back in the 1970’s called the Milgram Experiment. In this experiment individuals were told to test a subject who was hooked up to electrodes; if the subject got it wrong then the individual was told (almost persuaded) by the authoritative figure to electrocute the subject. They would do this through the screaming and the pleading of the subject, even after the subject had “passed out” from the pain. The individuals would continue to do this all the way through the “deadly” levels of electricity, as long as the authority figure eased them through it.

This can explain the inhuman acts that can be seen throughout history, including modern day times. Now it comes down to social justice and religious wars, where authority figures give out global ‘jihads’ and ‘fatwās’ against individuals. Even in the United States’ jurisdiction do we find atrocities such as the Abu Gharib prison in Iraq. Not to forget the genocides that are CURRENTLY taking place in Darfur and previously in Rwanda. This is to say that the horrible crimes committed by the Nazis throughout the 1930’s and 40’s are not a special case. Under the correct circumstances it can happen again and traces of it are all around the world.

http://learningat.ke7.org.uk/socialsciences/Psychology/PsyRes13/Milgram.htm
http://www.newsweek.com/id/70087
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/22/weekinreview/22BRONNER.html
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/04/27/60II/main614063.shtml

I’m going to take a short turn away from the Soldier aspect of Tim O’Brien’s book and try to focus on the reasoning on the war as a whole. The Military History Podcast was something I came across awhile ago when we were searching for podcasts for our blogs. One of his more recent posts deals with the democratization of Iraq. As soon as I saw the title I dived in to hear what the man had to say. Almost immediately I thought of Vietnam and our explained reasoning of being there. “To bring democracy to the region,” “To rid the country of totalitarian rule,” “Stop the flow of communism.” You can just replace communism with terrorism in that last snippet and you’ve basically got the same situation.

The blog in question deals with four issues that we face in Iraq: Cultural, Modernization, Marxist, and Voluntarist. Stating that the country’s culture is deeply rooted in Authoritarian style rule, that the country is not modern, has a weak bourgeoisie, and does not have the strong leadership necessary to work towards democracy are all theories that have their merit and flaws but make excellent points many Americans can’t seem to grasp nowadays.

Everything that is discussed makes its way back to the Vietnam issue. It was a more rural based economy, a huge distinction between the social classes, and a more authoritative and colonial culture all prevented an easy influence from western countries to ‘evolve’ like they had towards democracy. It all sounded too similar to pass up a quick mention. I’ve posted the source below for any history buffs to give a quick listen.

http://militaryhistorypodcast.blogspot.com/2008/11/democracy-in-iraq.html

To most people in Lebanon the words “battle fatigue” couldn’t be any closer to being literal. This country, like many others in the Middle East, hasn’t had a “break” from battles and wars in recent memory. Just a few years ago Israel declared war against what they called a terrorist fueled government, one that not only supported those that meant to destroy their very existence but also harbored hundreds of thousands of them in their own borders. Israel should know; they’ve been forcing these people out of their territory since the 1940’s. You see, Lebanon has over 400,000 Palestinian refugees within its borders, making up 10% of the country’s total population. Having spent most of their lives in U.N. camps throughout the country, they are some of the most repressed people in the world. Because of their nationality they are refused jobs and benefits many of the natural born citizens of Lebanon are given. They are also unable to return to their homes in Israel because: their homes no longer exist, their national papers have been destroyed, and most importantly the governing bodies in Israel refuse to allow them to do so.

“I’m sixty years-oId, and I don’t have a single good memory,” Says a woman who was born in Lebanon to Palestinian parents. She has seen, and unfortunately been in the middle of, six wars in her country. Her brother shot in the head from sniper fire as he was washing dishes. Her family and friends scarred with shrapnel. And her home has been destroyed at least five times. This is a prime example of “hell on earth” so to speak. Where most people who’re affected by “combat stress reaction” are only suffering mentally; let us not forget those who are suffering physically as well.

http://mideast.blogs.time.com/2008/02/19/shell_shock_in_shatila/

Military communication has always been censored, most of it anyways, nowadays its become incredibly difficult to censor anything as-is; usually its done after the fact, well after the message has gone out. Phones allow texting and talking directly with someone from anywhere in the world. Yes I sound like a salesman from the early 1900′s but the advent of cell phones has removed the need to use “the army’s phone” to get in touch with a loved one. Texting becoming even more discrete as one doesn’t need to talk to use it. Much different than the time period I “Since You Went Away” where family members had to wait weeks in order to read a response from someone.

The Internet has also added e-mail, chatting, instant messaging, blogging, and recently “tweeting.” All of the above are used by military personnel; to tell their stories, to keep in contact with their loved ones, or just to talk to friends and total strangers online. Gone are the days where every single detail is necessary, with fast responses and enormous amounts of time there is no need to talk about every detail of the day or every thought; although it never hurts to do so. Talking about one’s own life, in the barest and most drawn out senses, like in the collection of letters brought together by Judy Barrett Litoff and David C. Smith. Talking about canning tomatoes, walking the kids to school, cleaning the house, or what have you are no longer necessary parts of today’s conversation when talking to friends or family oversees.

“…The last thing he told me that day was, “I don’t want any of these people (terrorists) telling my kids how to act, or how to dress. I don’t want to worry about the safety of my children.” Kiana and Alek, your father fought for many things, but always remember, he fought for you….”

“…Live with integrity, for without integrity we deceive ourselves, we live in a house of cards.
Fight for what you believe, for without valor, we lose our freedom. Be willing to sacrifice, for anything worthy in life requires sacrifice. Be disciplined, for it is discipline that builds the foundation of your success….”

“…Our great nation was built on the shoulders of men like your father. While the nay-sayers and cowards hid in the shadows sniveling that nothing was worth dying for, men like your dad carved our liberty away from the English, freed the slaves and kept the Union together, saved Europe from the Germans twice; rescued the Pacific away from the Japanese, defeated communism, and right now, fight terrorism and plant the seeds of democracy in the Middle East. Your father was a warrior, but being a warrior is not always about fighting…..”

“…In your future, when you are pushed against a wall, in a tight spot, outnumbered and seemingly overwhelmed, it may be tempting to give up, or even use the absence of your father as a crutch, as an excuse for failure. Don’t. Your father’s passing, while tragic, serves as an endless source of your empowerment. Your father would not want you to wallow in self-pity…..”

“You will always be in our lives….

Very Respectfully,
Doug”

Under different circumstances but similar motives This is what Roland was fighting for in the story. It shouldn’t matter how he died to Vera, what should matter is that Roland died for something that he loved. He pulled himself up, he got himself out, and he did something courageous.

http://www.milblogging.com/listingDetail.php?id=910

“…Dying, has made us rarer gifts than gold.”

About men who refuse to stand up and fight:

“Leave the sick hearts that honour could not move,
And half-men and their dirty songs and dreary,
and all the emptiness of love!”

When describing England’s ‘awesomeness,’

“Her sights and sounds; dreams happy as her day;
And laughter, learnt of friends; and gentleness,
In hearts at peace, under an English heaven.”

Now if that doesn’t scream patriot then I don’t know what does. Brooke didn’t make it past basic training however, he died of sepsis from an infected mosquito bite. It’s easy to find messages such as Brooke’s but its difficult to find similar fanaticism in any of the mainstream media of today. Doing one’s duty for the good of the world, serving one’s country, getting up and doing something, all of this can be found in military style recruitment commercials, pamphlets, and other styles of advertisement. Phrases like “The few, the proud, the Marines,” “We don’t accept applications, only commitments.” both come from the United State’s Marines’ advertisements, “The strength to do good today, and the strength to do good tomorrow,” comes from the United State’s Army commercial, and “Anything, anytime, anywhere, that’s how we do it in the U.S. Airforce.”

None of these statements from the United States military are as direct or as literary powerful as Brooke’s poems; choosing a more symbolic and subliminal route instead. The times have changed, and the messages haven’t but the words most certainly have; be an upstanding and proud citizen of your country, you can be anything you want to be with us, don’t be afraid to lose your life for it, and if you do it’ll be for a good cause.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY28GfCdGM4 — Airforce
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhuKV0Y–ZI — Marines
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZaWvE0xiB8 — Army

(In retrospect the former title for this post “Brooke’s Few Good Men” probably would’ve been a good laugh, considering the circumstances of today’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy)

She has a son in the Israeli army and in her post for 21st discusses the matter of a fellow soldier who was taken in as a P.O.W of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The blogger writes about the conditions of the prisoner, Gilad, are, stating he “has no access to the media, no family visits, no one to confirm his condition.” You see, Gilad has been a P.O.W for over 1000 days. His father speaking to the prime minister of Israel, on behalf of his family “…since you were kidnapped by Hamas to Gaza, both we and you have been living in a nightmare, uncertain about your fate.” It doesn’t matter what end of the spectrum one person is on, being put into these sorts of situations degrades the family. It is impossible to know what has happened to Gilad but having no contact with the outside world, including his family must be horrible.

It is painful to read about a subject such as this, a son lost for 1000 days in a place feared by the opposing side. The point of writing or even keeping in contact with loved ones is to keep an established link, it reassures people and keeps spirits high. I think it is unethical for a group to go to these lengths to make a statement or even to be used as a military tactic. A prisoner is a prisoner, they’re under your control, but in these times there needs to be some leeway when it comes to communication.

http://israelisoldiersmother.blogspot.com/

I was reading some Kurt Vonnegut the other day. Slaughterhouse Five to be exact. Although it is an assigned reading later in the course I picked it up early to read for a narration opportunity at an audio book company. When I was reading it I was struck by Vonnegut’s personal writing style and sentence structure. Styles have always interested me; I like figuring out how authors, film directors, and other artists work. I may not get into the technical side of it much, but realizing the aesthetic of an individual’s style is always fun to spot.

The book takes place during World War II and it got me thinking. What if Vonnegut had written about an event during the Iraq War or the war itself? I decided to give it a shot with this post so please forgive the “artistic license” I’ve given myself.

“A large scale war in modern times. Hundreds of thousands of troops deployed in the sands of Arabia. From across the United States they come. Most from impoverished communities. Most trying to make a living for themselves. Most trying to make a living for others. These valiant warriors from the west sent by an executive to right the wrongs within the east. Was it weapons of mass destruction or was it to rid the world of a dictator? Whatever it was they are there to stay well past the reason. So it goes.

Days turned into weeks. Weeks filled with growing violence. Weeks of dead and dying soldiers and civilians. These weeks turned into months. Months of growing chaos and uncertainty. These months turned into years. Years of displeasure and growing anger. There would be many successes during this time. A promise of a better tomorrow to compensate the many homes and communities and lives lost now.”

I might not have a huge grasp on Vonnegut’s dark humor but I hope his writing style comes across with this little excerpt. The short sentences, repetition, and his sense of flow are all incredibly prevalent in the later chapters of Slaughterhouse Five. The repetition in specific words, starting of sentences or the overall flow of the sentence such as “Most,” increments of time, etc. I tried to add a flow to the overall story with each sentence. One where the small sentences take away from the action but enhances it.