What is war (and I) good for? Absolutely nothing!

» Would I become a soldier if there was a war to fight?

Elliot Chan
Opinions Editor
‘we, S opinions@theotherpress.ca

here was a time when

refusing to fight in a
war was an act of cowardice.
Conscientious objectors were
often shunned for being
“unpatriotic” and “disgraceful.”
Many of them in the past were
even considered criminals.
Thank god we don’t live in those
times anymore. As Remembrance : |
Day approaches, I’m often left :
with a bitter, remorseful feeling,
because I know, I'll never make
such a sacrifice—I won't!

Those who serve on the
front line today demand
respect. However, that does not
necessary make them “heroes.”
The way I see it, it makes them
victims. I respect them not
because of their training, but
how their training and their
experiences have corrupted
them. Hate begets hate. War
does not elevate kindness,
tolerance, and benevolence in
people; it pulverizes it with
fear and righteousness. Post-
traumatic stress disorder is
chalked up as a workplace
hazard for soldiers like carpal
tunnel is for office workers.

We are currently living in
the most peaceful time in the

: border, far from where I am.

: These wars are feuds between

: neighbours that have lasted

: generations upon generations.

: If] were to pick a battle to fight,
: it would be an intrusion. Me

: sticking my nose in something

: I truly don’t understand.

: One nearsighted saying |

: hear from those who are willing

: they're their lives. Secondly,

: if you truly care about your

: children, you should teach

: them acceptance, rather than
: aggression. Teach them that

: there is more to a war than

: simply good guys fighting bad
: guys. Thirdly, if you think

: there is anything to gain from

It might sound selfish of

: me to say that I wouldn't defend
: my country. But what does it
: mean to defend my country?
: Does it mean entering someone
: else’s home and killing innocent
: people there until I find the few
: that are doing wrong to the true
: north strong and free? I hope

 

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We need to appear strong

: in the face of adversity. We need

: to have muscle so that the world

: at large won't push us around.

: But the thing I never understood
: about our military, and those of

: our allies, is this: How will our

: guns stop their guns? How will

: our blood wash away their blood?

history of humanity. Yes, there
are countless wars taking place
on this planet, but most of them
are civil wars or wars between
countries separated by a thin

to join the army is this: | fight

: so my children won't have to.

: First off, your children will do
: whatever the hell they want to;

: becoming a pawn, you are

: right, there is. There is a lot of
: profit, but don’t be surprised

: if it all goes to corporations—
: not to you or your children.

: not. In Canada, wherever we send : Pll support our troops

: our troops, we say we they are : by taking off my hat during
: there for “peacekeeping” reasons. : ceremonies, but man, there
: I don’t know how peacefull can: has got to be a better way.

: be waltzing into a battle zone. :

 

The art of ghosting

» How to disappear from a long night of partying

Elliot Chan
Opinions Editor
‘ye, S opinions@theotherpress.ca

goodbye or the French exit,
ghosting is the act of leaving
a party without announcing it
or saying farewell to the host
or the rest of the guests. It
can be humourous for some
and insulting to others. Some
will be happy that you’ve been
able to make it there at all,
while others would demand
some sort of appreciation for
their efforts. As we approach
the festive season, where our
free time begins to fill up with
parties and get-togethers, |
figure it’s a good idea to touch
on the idea of ghosting.

Before we go any further,

I want to say that I am a proud
supporter of ghosting. After
a long night of drinking or
whatever the party entails,
you are tired. Just get yourself

: home and rest. Friends don’t
: need friends to go through

: all the bullshit formalities

: required to leave. Simply
Gs known as the Irish

leave and forget about it.
We are so connected these

: days through our phones and
: social media that if a goodbye
: was not exchanged, a simple

: text can fix everything. There is :
: no shame to ghosting and there
: shouldn't be any guilt either.

Making it out to a party is

: hard enough without having

: to feel rather shitty for leaving
: early. You might have been

: having fun; you might not

: have. Either way, it is not work.
: You are not being paid to be

: there. Therefore, you don’t

: need to punch in and out—in

: addition to punishing yourself.

You don’t need to ghost

: completely. Say goodbye to

: those in your vicinity when

: you leave. Let them relay any

; parting messages you may have
: for other people in the venue

: that you have missed. Note:

: they probably won't relay any
: messages for you, but they

: will act as witnesses to your

: departure. On your way out,

: you'll likely say goodbye toa
: handful of people smoking.

gatherings that hold attendees
: toa higher standard than other

: example, are a big pain in the

: ass if you want to leave early.

: Sometimes people even expect
: you to help clean up—say what?
: A dinner party, one where

: there is a place reserved for you
: specifically, is different from

: a night of binge drinking with

: friends. However, you don’t

: need to make your exit a big

: scene. Say goodbye to the host,
: if nobody else. Thank them

: quickly. Excuses aren’t really

: necessary, unless they force it

: out of you. Pay for your portion
: (if that is expected), and just

: leave. It’s ghosting, but that

: doesn’t make you a monster.

There are many social

engagements. Weddings, for

  

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