In Flanders fields

It's ironic, just the other day I was thinking that it had been awhile since Bertrand had commented on this blog.

"If we had less men willing to risk their lives for their country, maybe we'd have less wars."
If we had less men willing to risk their lives, she we might have 'less wars', but we would likely still be under Nazi rule, and all Jews would have been annihilated.

"People die for their countries due to bravery, or foolishness. It's the same thing."
Yea, you go tell that to my ancestors who strove to be a neutral country in before WWII started, that wanted no part of war. Because of their want to NOT fight, ended up being one of the first countries who were occupied, and lived in fear of their lives for the duration of the war. You tell that to the men who risked their lives to save others from death or persecution. Men who only wanted to live their lives half as good as we do, and were forced to fight despite bending over backwards to the Nazi in attempts to avoid another World War. Attempts that almost allowed the Nazi's to obtain their goal of domination, such was the unwillingness of the Allies to come to arms against them.

We live in a selfish world, that is true. But there certainly is selflessness in the world; sadly not as much as we would like.

Wars are fought, and you can argue the merit of some, that is true. Leaders and politicians could've made better decisions to attempt to avoid war. Unfortunately we live in a sinful world and some things become unavoidable. Just because you have a different opinion, does make you right, or more learned than others. Unfortunately some have the tendency to be able not to discuss without belittling others.

Why was this posted on a sports blog? Because without the actions of those brave men who were forced to fight for the freedom of their families and compatriots, and without men and women standing up for each other, our lives would be drastically different now. You think they wanted to fight? You think the enjoyed the pain and agony? Did they agree with it all? No, but they did what was needed to be done. They certainly didn't sit behind computers and only care for themselves like our world does nowadays.

For all we know, The Arsenal would not exist for our frivolous enjoyment without their sacrifice. If you are not blond and blue eyed, you would be considered 'beneath' the Aryan race. The tolerance and acceptance of one another's looks and beliefs would be non-existent.

You may have your opinion on the merits of each war, and I will agree with points, certainly. But these men did what they thought was best, and to defile the one single day we remember what they did like this is a tragedy and gives me a deep sadness within my heart.

Give them their due. Their sacrifice is more than we could ever imagine. We should be so lucky we can not comprehend the horrors of their lifetime.

I was trying to look at match reports to see if all our players came through un-injured from today's international games and didn't see any injuries reported to any players. Does anyone have any updates?

can someone tell what this is about? I sincerely don't know what the topic is and looking at the comments it looks like a sensitive/possibly important issue

It's a poem written from the perspective of soldiers who died during World War I. It was written the day after the author saw his good friend die in battle. It is probably the most popular English-language WWI poem (although, for my money, I think some of the poems by Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon are better), and has become very symbolic for the idea of remembering war dead, particularly in England, where, due to this poem, it has become very common and popular to wear facsimiles of poppies on Armistice Day. Hence, Arsenal and other clubs wearing special jerseys with poppies on them in a match around this time of year and auctioning off the shirts, with all proceeds going to a fund to help military veterans.

In short, then, the post is about remembering veterans, especially those who died during wars.

all soldiers from all countries yes?

I'm not quite sure how to answer that. I know it is a holiday in the UK, the USA, and Canada, and I imagine much of Western Europe (since November 11 was the last date of World War I). Not sure if all countries, or which other countries, also recognize it as a holiday.

Today is Veteran's Day in most countries around the world, celebrating the military veterans of each country for their actions and sacrifices.

If we had less men willing to risk their lives for their country, maybe we'd have less wars.

It takes a very brave man to call out veterans who risked their lives, their families, their entire earthly existence, to keep their countries safe, from behind an internet username. I vote we rename Veterans Day "Bertrand Day" from here on out.

I never claimed I was brave.

Why all the hostility??

I tried to give you your own holiday. What makes you think I was being hostile?

I'm sure Bertrand could have mentioned that he appreciates the precious lives lost on both sides, the families who suffer on both sides, and the detrimental impact of war on both sides, but his point should not fall on deaf ears. Its fair and valid.

It's not fair and valid. Not by any stretch. If you don't like war, your problem is with those who create, start, and drive wars -- the leaders and politicians who actually decide that war is a better alternative to a nonviolent solution (which, in my opinion, is simply oftentimes not possible). Not with the actual soldiers who are simply trying to protect their country, or find a way to pay for college or learn skills so that they can better themselves.

And even if it was somehow a fair and valid point, I will just say, as the grandson and son of veterans of the United States Armed Forces: today is not the fucking day to make it. Save that shit for tomorrow or any other day of the year. Bertrand is simply, as is his wont, automatically naysaying any nice or reasonable sentiment made by anyone else to get a reaction.

“Naturally the common people don't want war; neither in Russia, nor in England, nor in America, nor in Germany. That is understood. But after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.”
-Hermann Goering-

Personally, I don't mix politics or religion in any social setting including a sports message board on the internet, so I should have avoided commenting on this post and thread altogether.

Fair enough. I generally try to do the same, and didn't mean to attack you -- just think Bertrand's post was contrarianism for the sake of contrarianism, and in very poor taste given the date/Darren's post.

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i think Bertrand just worded his comment wrongly bro.

I don't commend a lack of courage in any situation and I cannot disapprove of war because sometimes its an unavoidable requirement. but i detest the instigating side in war.

Additionally I believe as individuals living in civilized nations, there are few barriers that stop us from gaining knowledge to make thoroughly thought out decisions. In the case Bertrands comment, it was the able-mans decision whether fighting for his country is the right or wrong thing to do as human beings.

Not really. Many people have a misguided concept of what good is, what morality is etc.

Some people actually think (in fact probably a lot of people) that dying for your country is a good thing, something that is praiseworthy. I wouldn't deny that it is brave, but it is also very stupid. Nationalism and jingoism isn't in the least praiseworthy in my opinion.

Of course, the bulk of the responsibility should fall on the shoulders of the politicians who actually make the decisions. But why take responsibility from the sheeple, who follow every word the politicians say, and make no effort to educate themselves or come up with a reasoned opinion of what good is?

Take a philosophy course and maybe you will have some idea of what I am talking about.

I've got 3 social sciences undergraduate degrees and a law school degree. I've taken loads of philosophy courses. You can imply that you're smarter or better educated than I am all you want. That's not what this is about. At all.

Veteran's/Armistice Day is a day for one simple purpose -- to take a little time out to remember that those of us in certain countries are very fortunate to live in societies where people are willing to give up their comfortable situations and risk their lives to protect the values and comforts many of us hold dear. It's as simple as that. We live in a selfish world, and there is nothing political, or wrong, with taking a day to honor the selfless. You can dress it up with as much philosopo-babble mumbo jumbo as you want, but to to jump onto a blog post which had NOTHING to do with nationalism or jingoism, but was just a post for the simple purpose of saying "hey, take a second to read this and remember that a lot of people died for their homes, families, and countries," and imply that Veterans are the problem, and the cause of wars, is what even Nietzsche and Heidegger would call "a total dick move, bro."

We live in a selfish world. There is no such thing as selflessness.

People die for their countries due to bravery, or foolishness. It's the same thing.

You can honor such fools if you want, but count me out.

If you read my post carefully, you will note that I did say that I believe politicians to be primarily responsible for most wars. But since you are here just to flame, then I guess it's ok for you to misrepresent my post.

Thanks for that. I always knew that greedy Mother Theresa had an angle. Totally selfish.

And being accused of flaming and misrepresenting a post or comment by you is a true honor, sir. I feel like Donald Trump just told me I had bad hair.

Wasn't it you (amongst other people) who wanted me to stop flaming?

I smell hypocrisy...

You disgust me. This is getting shut down.

Point is, I wasn't posting for the sake of contrarianism.

Though I do highly question the purpose of this post on a sports blog in the first place.

Don't be that guy.

This is the definition of class. Be proud, people. And be thankful.

Touching. A big thanks to Darren for posting this. A big thank you from the Arsenal Offside to all of the veterans who have risked their lives (and those who gave their lives) for their country.