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Originally Posted by AlternateGray
I don't consider animals evil. I simply hold humans to a higher standard.
Obviously, you either didn't read my post in its entirety, you read it and didn't understand it, or... I just don't know. I simply cannot follow your logic from my point to yours.
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Did you justify your conclusions by citing 'them' as evil? Then follow only that transition into my reply. I did not respond to the rest of your post because that comes later. I only addressed what you used as justification for your conclusions - soundbyte reasoning: evil.
It does not matter whether you regard animals as evil or not. By your definition of 'evil' then biological creatures - man or animals - are either good or evil. 'Feeling' that animals are not good or evil suggests maybe you need to read Descartes' book where he starts "I think; therefore I am". Conclusions only based in logical reasoning.
I am further surprised by your response to 'cannon fodder'. If logical, then you never for one second take any of it personal. The definition of 'cannon fodder' probably applies to many of your peers; and is not an insult of anyone. It is simply a fact. Again, 'feelings' have no place among facts. But many enlisted men are more easily inspired by 'they are evil'. Many who don't see beyond a tactical objective also justify their actions in 'good verses evil'.
Let's take another example: Pakistani army supporting Taliban. Well, yes, if everything is only black and white. Is that Taliban child also Taliban? Yes and no. Both answers are accurate. Meanwhile you know the Pakistani army has never controlled the Afghan border. So yes, the Pakistani army is (sometimes) making 'deals with the devil'. Again, perspective. For the most part, Pakistanis are very much anti-Taliban. And to act, sometimes one must make deals with his enemy. Perspective. The Pakistani Afghan border is far more complex than the black and white picture you have portrayed.
There is no ivory tower. There are people who also see the bigger picture (ie strategic objective) and there are soldiers who only see things in good verses evil. How many in Vietnam saw what Ellsberg and Col Vann saw on the same battlefield? Again - perspective.
How does one accomplish amazing tasks? One inspires the emotional brain by simplifying it down into 'they are evil'. Emotion is a tool to be used by a logical mind. Tell the emotional part that 'he is evil' and the emotional part will employ strength and power you did not even know exists.
Meanwhile the logical brain must remain in control - to then tell the emotional half that "he no longer is evil". Literally turn off hate. Cannon fodder cannot do that without orders. No problem. We sometimes need the cannon fodder. So we tell them what is evil - and they achieve tactical objectives.
Don't for one minute let yourself be stuck in a cannon fodder mode. Even on the Pakistani Afghan border, the situation is far more complex - has so many more perspectives - than what you have posted. It is typically too complex for 'cannon fodder' to understand. But you should see through the propaganda. You should appreciate so many perspectives as to then realize that 'evil' does not exist. Black and white interpretations are to KISS – for ‘cannon fodder' benefit. You should be seeing above such emotional inspiration.
Meanwhile, why are we in Iraq? Because of logical facts? Of course not. The president played to 'cannon fodder' in his 2002 State of the Union Address. He had us 'feel' bin Laden and Saddam were allies. Facts even back then said otherwise. But so many so failed to think logically as to not see through that lie. Did you? A difference between thinking as 'cannon fodder' and, instead, discovering a world full of perspectives. A world where 'evil' does not exist has too many perspectives.
Are the Pakistani army helping the Taliban? Yes and no. Both answers are correct - depending on the perspective.