gam@astrovax.UUCP (11/03/83)
There's one thing about people's perceptions of international politics which I never understood: Why do people (in this country) care more about the lives of U.S. Marines then about Lebanese or Grenadian civilians? The men in the first group have volunteered (and are paid) to risk their lives for the sake of their country, while this is obviously not the case for the people in the second group. While I feel strong grief for the sake of the 300 Marines (that should be the official toll of the Beirut airport bombing in a few days), I also feel the same for the 60 French Soldiers as well. These 360 men altogether died in a horrifying manner. Furthermore, I feel strong sympathy for the families of these victims, as I think I can understand what it feels like to lose your son. However, let's face it: the U.S. marines as well as the French soldiers sent to Lebanon have not been drafted against their will (the French army wisely keeps its draftees in France, except for a few who become teachers in third world countries). They are not much different from mercenaries. This attitude, which I am questioning, is present on this net, as well as in the media. Why has there been only one letter (until the story of the bombing of the hospital came out) asking about the casualities among the Grenadian civilians? Clearly they are the number one victims, having to hide in their homes for a week following the military coup (that prompted the U.S. invasion), and now probably caught in the middle of the fighting.
renner@uiucdcs.UUCP (renner ) (11/08/83)
#R:astrovax:-10400:uiucdcs:29200028:000:153 uiucdcs!renner Nov 4 15:58:00 1983 As I understand it, the French troops in Lebanon are all conscripts, all of whom volunteered for duty in Lebanon. Scott Renner ...pur-ee!uiucdcs!renner
lllenoir@uok.UUCP (11/08/83)
#R:astrovax:-10400:uok:6600027:000:686
uok!lllenoir Nov 6 16:42:00 1983
I think it probably has something to do
with nationalism.. that is the 'us vs them'
attitude which prevails in the world today.
I think that in the case of our soldiers
in foreign countries, this attitude is a
subconcious thing. It manifest itself
(in our case at least) as concern for
Americans before anybody else.
We think this way because that is how we
were taught to.. not because we are insensitive
to the suffering of others.
I feel this to be true for me at least.
I know that when I here about any disaster,
I feel remorse for all the victims
but my first concern is for any Americans
that might have been involved.
Lionel L.
U. of OKesj@ihuxl.UUCP (11/09/83)
I thought the French were volunteers, not conscripts.