True story??? A WWII airman shoots down a Japanese Zero wit
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Cptnchia
Dissatisfied Customer
Re: True story??? A WWII airman shoots down a Japanese Zero
In the book, "Flyboys," about the air war around ichi jima, where Bush Sr was shot down, the author states that it was the US pilots who first started the practice of shooting at pilots in parachutes. It had to do with the racial hatred at the time, and the belief that the "yellow" man did not deserve the respect that was shown to a downed "white" pilot.
In the book, "Flyboys," about the air war around ichi jima, where Bush Sr was shot down, the author states that it was the US pilots who first started the practice of shooting at pilots in parachutes. It had to do with the racial hatred at the time, and the belief that the "yellow" man did not deserve the respect that was shown to a downed "white" pilot.
RDoug
Well-Known Member
Re: True story??? A WWII airman shoots down a Japanese Zero
No, you are not. It was reprehensible.
No, you are not. It was reprehensible.
USMCmech
Well-Known Member
Re: True story??? A WWII airman shoots down a Japanese Zero
Under the behavior code of bushido, dying in battle was the most honorable thing that a solider could do, being taken prisinoer was the worst. In that context shooting an airmen under a parachute was not immoral at all. It was repecting an enemy enough to treat him honorably before he was disc raced.
I'm not saying I aggree, but those pilots came from a completely different culture.
Under the behavior code of bushido, dying in battle was the most honorable thing that a solider could do, being taken prisinoer was the worst. In that context shooting an airmen under a parachute was not immoral at all. It was repecting an enemy enough to treat him honorably before he was disc raced.
I'm not saying I aggree, but those pilots came from a completely different culture.
Re: True story??? A WWII airman shoots down a Japanese Zero
Civility? War is pretty much the lack of civility. While I agree its not cool, I also understand that war is hell; and since hell is the impossibility of reason, things like the above don't surprise me. I don't agree with them, but Im not surprised.
Civility? War is pretty much the lack of civility. While I agree its not cool, I also understand that war is hell; and since hell is the impossibility of reason, things like the above don't surprise me. I don't agree with them, but Im not surprised.
Sandy
Well-Known Member
Re: True story??? A WWII airman shoots down a Japanese Zero
It probably does seem shocking to today's generation that wars are nasty events.
Recent news of Goshen College banning the Start Spangled Banner at sporting events because it is too violent emphasizes the fantasy world in which too many pampered children have been raised.
It probably does seem shocking to today's generation that wars are nasty events.
Recent news of Goshen College banning the Start Spangled Banner at sporting events because it is too violent emphasizes the fantasy world in which too many pampered children have been raised.
Itchy
Well-Known Member
Re: True story??? A WWII airman shoots down a Japanese Zero
Are you implying that we should have in order to discuss it?
Are you implying that we should have in order to discuss it?
Cptnchia
Dissatisfied Customer
Re: True story??? A WWII airman shoots down a Japanese Zero
I think what he's getting at is that you cannot pass judgement on what someone does in combat unless you yourself have experienced it. And I agree with that setiment. Having been shot at, I can understand the desire to totally and completely destroy the individual doing the shooting. How can someone who has not experienced those feelings pass judgement on them?
I think what he's getting at is that you cannot pass judgement on what someone does in combat unless you yourself have experienced it. And I agree with that setiment. Having been shot at, I can understand the desire to totally and completely destroy the individual doing the shooting. How can someone who has not experienced those feelings pass judgement on them?
Re: True story??? A WWII airman shoots down a Japanese Zero
That, and trying to tie the concepts of war and civility together is somewhat a pipe dream. It'd be nice if it could be that way, but the reality is that it isn't.
That, and trying to tie the concepts of war and civility together is somewhat a pipe dream. It'd be nice if it could be that way, but the reality is that it isn't.
RDoug
Well-Known Member
Re: True story??? A WWII airman shoots down a Japanese Zero
Using that criteria, nobody should ever express an opinion beyond their own area of expertise. People shouldn't be voting on American Idol unless they can sing. Only professional football players should be allowed to referee. Juror pools for criminal trials should only consist of those individuals who have criminal records.
A lack of personal experience does not negate one's right to express an opinion or render a judgment. If it did, there would be no such thing as talk radio.
Using that criteria, nobody should ever express an opinion beyond their own area of expertise. People shouldn't be voting on American Idol unless they can sing. Only professional football players should be allowed to referee. Juror pools for criminal trials should only consist of those individuals who have criminal records.
A lack of personal experience does not negate one's right to express an opinion or render a judgment. If it did, there would be no such thing as talk radio.
Cptnchia
Dissatisfied Customer
Re: True story??? A WWII airman shoots down a Japanese Zero
And that would be a bad thing?
And that would be a bad thing?
RDoug
Well-Known Member
Re: True story??? A WWII airman shoots down a Japanese Zero
Not in my view. Far too toxic and polarizing.
Not in my view. Far too toxic and polarizing.
Boris Badenov
Fortis Leader
Re: True story??? A WWII airman shoots down a Japanese Zero
Well, we do it all the time, in court. And in war tribunals. Now, if you're skeptical about the impartiality of such things, take a number. But the notion that actions oughtn't be judged by nonparticipants is ludicrous on its face.
Well, we do it all the time, in court. And in war tribunals. Now, if you're skeptical about the impartiality of such things, take a number. But the notion that actions oughtn't be judged by nonparticipants is ludicrous on its face.
Vector4Food
This job would be easier without all the airplanes
Re: True story??? A WWII airman shoots down a Japanese Zero
Did you really just compare getting shot at in combat to being an NFL referee?
Did you really just compare getting shot at in combat to being an NFL referee?
darrenf
resident denizen
Re: True story??? A WWII airman shoots down a Japanese Zero
Way to twist his words. :rawk:
Way to twist his words. :rawk:
Hacker15e
Who am I? Where are my pants?
Re: True story??? A WWII airman shoots down a Japanese Zero
I didn't use any "criteria" for anything -- I asked a question; have any of the people who were making remarks in the thread actually participated in combat themselves.
I didn't make any such statement about that being a prerequisite for having an opinion: you evidently inferred that yourself.
I didn't use any "criteria" for anything -- I asked a question; have any of the people who were making remarks in the thread actually participated in combat themselves.
I didn't make any such statement about that being a prerequisite for having an opinion: you evidently inferred that yourself.