War.

[Elro]

Huh. What is it good for?

Seriously, though. For some reason I got on this train of thought this morning. What does war accomplish? It seems like it's mainly world leaders clashing, using their people as pawns to be sacrificed for a greater cause. I suppose there are some causes that are worthy, but the examples I can think of are few and far between.

Furthermore, the main reason these people fight for their leaders is legitimacy, but shouldn't needless wars cost their leaders this?

I am talking in general, and not with respect to the current war in Iraq - that's a whole different can of worms.

[Robespierre]

In general, war is a means to obtain a political end, and in some cases, an unavoidable and entirely just action.

There have been two just wars in american history, the war for independence from Britain, which was won, and the war for independence from the United States, which was lost. In both cases, an empire launched an agressive war to curtail a localized independence movement.

Another important point about war, it is clearly aided and greatly expanded by highly centralized and fairly liberal governments. With institutions like a central bank, governments can field large armies, without obviously raising taxes. The money is still being taken, but the people rarely recognize it, as the tax comes in the form of (usually) gradual inflation.

[jimkopelli]

BURNED ALL OVER SO ONLY HIS TEETH ARE GOOD, HE SITS FUSED TO THE TANK. METAL HOLDS THE BLAST HEAT AND THE SUN. HIS DEATH IS FRESH AND THE SMELL PLEASANT. HE MUST BE PULLED AWAYSKIN SPLITTING. HE IS A SUGGESTION THAT AFFECTS PEOPLE DIFFERENTLY.

THE SHAPE IN THE BLANKET IS STUPID. A TORSO REMAINS. THE MOTHER RECALLS A CHILD’S LOGICAL AND ADEQUATE SHADOW. SHE RUNS HER HAND OVER AND REJECTS THE FLESH.

I GAG ON THE FOOD SHINY WITH OIL AND MUCUS. MY THROAT CLOSES WHEN I TRY TO EAT. THE IRIDESCENSE IS BEAUTIFUL IF I TILT THE PLATE.

I STAB THE BOY. I CUT HOLES TO DRAIN HIM.

HE MOVES LEGLESS AFTER THE HIT. HE IS A PIECE OF SPIDER. HIS ELBOWS MAKE KNEES. HE LEAKS JUICE. HE FLIES NOT DREAMING.

THE OCEAN WASHES THE DEAD. THEY ARE FACE UP FACE DOWN IN THE FOAM. BODIES ROLL FROM SWELLS TO OPEN IN THE MARSH.

THE ROOTS OF MY TEETH DETECT MOTION AS MY EYES ARE SEWN. MY HAIR CANNOT SEND ANY MORE MESSAGES BUT I HEAR ALL THEIR WORDS.

HIS NECK STRAINS AND PIVOTS. HE BITES IN A CIRCLE AROUND HIM. HE CANNOT RAISE HIS ARMS BECAUSE HE IS PACKED IN MEN. THE THING THAT IS ALL OF THEM BEGINS TO SCREAM.

IT IS THE WAR ZOO. IT IS A LANDMARK. PILOTS NAME IT. THE ANIMAL IS FOLDED IN THE LANDSCAPE. A BONE IS BROKEN SO IT CANNOT MAVE AWAY. INSTINCT MAKES IT WATCHFUL. IT EXPECTS THAT SOMEONE WILL TOUCH IT TO RESTORE THE PACT.


Piece by Jenny Holzer... Titled WAR, oddly enough... had to print it up and install as a project for Architecture last week.

[Nighthawk]

Seriously, though. For some reason I got on this train of thought this morning. What does war accomplish? It seems like it's mainly world leaders clashing, using their people as pawns to be sacrificed for a greater cause. I suppose there are some causes that are worthy, but the examples I can think of are few and far between.Having fought in one, that pretty much sums it up. From the mirco-cosmic viewpoint of most soldiers, they fight to protect their buddies next to them ... caring very little about their government or leaders. On the contrary, the government and leaders are often seen as enemies themselves.