Not quite sure how to react to this quote.

[Capri120]

So true...

 

[AF6872]

Tried that stop sign defense one time. Officer did not agree with rolling stop.

 

[Humey]

Valuing your own loved ones more than someone else's is called selfishness.

Funny, I thought it was called human nature.

Humans are inherently selfish, that doesn't mean it's moral/ethical though

Let me ask a question then. I am not going to get into the dropping of the nuclear bomb, but during WWII, the US and its allies drop bombs all over Germany and Japan. More people died in the bombing of Dresden then in the first nuclear drop. Lots and lots of civilians were killed. Part of the strategy I have to imagine was to destroy the ability and the will of both the military and civilian populations. Honestly, I dont think we could wage WWII today as the US would be accused of war crimes by internal and externals forces. The justification of the nuclear bomb (ok, I will bring it up) was based on that an invasion of Japan would not only kill thousands of Americans but many Japanese. The nuclear bomb would save lots of American soldiers. All of this was done in order to end the war quickly, protect our soldiers and win the war. It was the ultimate us vs them. Was it wrong?

 

[1337BeachedWhale1337]

Because unfortunately the United States Military Academy does not have a 100% graduation rate...

The graduation and commissioning of a cadet is 100% dependent on the cadet, not the Academy.

medical discharge, false allegations going through, there's reasons that are out of a cadet's control that can lead to his or her failure to graduate

 

[1337BeachedWhale1337]

Valuing your own loved ones more than someone else's is called selfishness.

Funny, I thought it was called human nature.

Humans are inherently selfish, that doesn't mean it's moral/ethical though

Let me ask a question then. I am not going to get into the dropping of the nuclear bomb, but during WWII, the US and its allies drop bombs all over Germany and Japan. More people died in the bombing of Dresden then in the first nuclear drop. Lots and lots of civilians were killed. Part of the strategy I have to imagine was to destroy the ability and the will of both the military and civilian populations. Honestly, I dont think we could wage WWII today as the US would be accused of war crimes by internal and externals forces. The justification of the nuclear bomb (ok, I will bring it up) was based on that an invasion of Japan would not only kill thousands of Americans but many Japanese. The nuclear bomb would save lots of American soldiers. All of this was done in order to end the war quickly, protect our soldiers and win the war. It was the ultimate us vs them. Was it wrong?

I think it was the right decision because more people probably would have died if it was not done.

 

[LineInTheSand]

This seems applicable to the discussion on this thread.....

From Adam Smith's The Theory of Moral Sentiments (1759), specifically part III:

Let us suppose that the great empire of China, with all its myriads of inhabitants, was suddenly swallowed up by an earthquake, and let us consider how a man of humanity in Europe, who had no sort of connection with that part of the world, would be affected upon receiving intelligence of this dreadful calamity. He would, I imagine, first of all, express very strongly his sorrow for the misfortune of that unhappy people, he would make many melancholy reflections upon the precariousness of human life, and the vanity of all the labours of man, which could thus be annihilated in a moment. He would too, perhaps, if he was a man of speculation, enter into many reasonings concerning the effects which this disaster might produce upon the commerce of Europe, and the trade and business of the world in general. And when all this fine philosophy was over, when all these humane sentiments had been once fairly expressed, he would pursue his business or his pleasure, take his repose or his diversion, with the same ease and tranquillity, as if no such accident had happened. The most frivolous disaster which could befall himself would occasion a more real disturbance. If he was to lose his little finger to-morrow, he would not sleep to-night; but, provided he never saw them, he will snore with the most profound security over the ruin of a hundred millions of his brethren, and the destruction of that immense multitude seems plainly an object less interesting to him, than this paltry misfortune of his own. To prevent, therefore, this paltry misfortune to himself, would a man of humanity be willing to sacrifice the lives of a hundred millions of his brethren, provided he had never seen them? Human nature startles with horror at the thought, and the world, in its greatest depravity and corruption, never produced such a villain as could be capable of entertaining it. But what makes this difference? When our passive feelings are almost always so sordid and so selfish, how comes it that our active principles should often be so generous and so noble? When we are always so much more deeply affected by whatever concerns ourselves, than by whatever concerns other men; what is it which prompts the generous, upon all occasions, and the mean upon many, to sacrifice their own interests to the greater interests of others? It is not the soft power of humanity, it is not that feeble spark of benevolence which Nature has lighted up in the human heart, that is thus capable of counteracting the strongest impulses of self-love. It is a stronger power, a more forcible motive, which exerts itself upon such occasions. It is reason, principle, conscience, the inhabitant of the breast, the man within, the great judge and arbiter of our conduct.

 

[brovol]

If indeed you are a cadet, why would there be any doubt If you will commission?

Because unfortunately the United States Military Academy does not have a 100% graduation rate...

You are a West Point Cadet, and you have a USNA profile picture? I see you have consistent sense of loyalty, to both country, service and school.

 

[Capri120]

medical discharge, false allegations going through, there's reasons that are out of a cadet's control that can lead to his or her failure to graduate

Medical discharge...possibly not knowing your limits, but does happen; I'll give you that.

False allegations...you put yourself in a compromising or indefensible position with no alibi or witnesses...totally in your control.

Something you MUST learn as an upcoming officer ...perceptions are everything!

 

[brovol]

No offense intended, but in my experience that type of attitude is usually exhibited by someone that has led a sheltered life. Sometimes it takes a hard dose of personal experience to realize that we will do just about anything to protect our loved ones and our way of life.

Everyone is someone's loved one. Valuing your own loved ones more than someone else's is called selfishness.

Absurd. Sounds like a comment from someone single with no children. Not an attack on you, just validating my earlier point about not getting it until it happens to you.

I'm confused, would you disagree that choosing to save your own loved one's instead of other people is selfish? Those other people have families too, and are valued by other people. You choose to save your loved ones instead of those random strangers because it is what you want. If that's not selfishness, what is it?

Saving loved ones is selfish? Is selfish a bad thing? BTW, I am a Constitutional/individual liberty and rights guy, so I think the "pursuit of happiness", and prosperity is a good thing; selfish as that might be. I wish more people thought the same, and went out to succeed on there own, without requiring others to do so for them; but I digress.

Whale: I think you just say ridiculous things which have no connection to intellectual thought in order to provoke confrontation. I also doubt highly that you are a WP Cadet, as there are too many signs to the contrary; and because I have too high an impression of WP admissions staff to think they would allow the same.

...but if I am wrong on both of those conclusions, Lord help those who serve under your command.

 

[BTCS/USN]

medical discharge, false allegations going through, there's reasons that are out of a cadet's control that can lead to his or her failure to graduate[/QUOTE

Victim mentality. No Excuse Sir. Either own it or stand aside for someone who will. Combat doesn't tolerate indecision or excuses.

 

[1337BeachedWhale1337]

No offense intended, but in my experience that type of attitude is usually exhibited by someone that has led a sheltered life. Sometimes it takes a hard dose of personal experience to realize that we will do just about anything to protect our loved ones and our way of life.

Everyone is someone's loved one. Valuing your own loved ones more than someone else's is called selfishness.

Absurd. Sounds like a comment from someone single with no children. Not an attack on you, just validating my earlier point about not getting it until it happens to you.

I'm confused, would you disagree that choosing to save your own loved one's instead of other people is selfish? Those other people have families too, and are valued by other people. You choose to save your loved ones instead of those random strangers because it is what you want. If that's not selfishness, what is it?

Saving loved ones is selfish? Is selfish a bad thing? BTW, I am a Constitutional/individual liberty and rights guy, so I think the "pursuit of happiness", and prosperity is a good thing; selfish as that might be. I wish more people thought the same, and went out to succeed on there own, without requiring others to do so for them; but I digress.

Whale: I think you just say ridiculous things which have no connection to intellectual thought in order to provoke confrontation. I also doubt highly that you are a WP Cadet, as there are too many signs to the contrary; and because I have too high an impression of WP admissions staff to think they would allow the same.

...but if I am wrong on both of those conclusions, Lord help those who serve under your command.

I find it rather unfortunate that you lack the maturity to respectfully disagree with another person.

You take a lot of the things I say completely out of context in order to frame it and support your narrative. I find it quite annoying.

Does it raise your self esteem when you insult some random dude on the internet?

 

[1337BeachedWhale1337]

medical discharge, false allegations going through, there's reasons that are out of a cadet's control that can lead to his or her failure to graduate[/QUOTE

Victim mentality. No Excuse Sir. Either own it or stand aside for someone who will. Combat doesn't tolerate indecision or excuses.

What are you talking about Victim mentality? None of those things have happened to me, so how could I have a victim mentality?

 

[1337BeachedWhale1337]

False allegations...you put yourself in a compromising or indefensible position with no alibi or witnesses...totally in your control.

Something you MUST learn as an upcoming officer ...perceptions are everything!

Yeah so it's your own damn fault if you get falsely convicted of something. Those dudes on death row who are innocent should just burn in hell, huh. Their own fault for putting themselves in an indefensible position. Logic101

 

[BTCS/USN]

What are you talking about Victim mentality? None of those things have happened to me, so how could I have a victim mentality?

If none of those things happened to you, why then are you using that thesis to support your position? Grasping for anything that might stick to the wall when thrown? BTW, I don't really care if you're a student at one of the service academies or not, doubt that you are, but if so also doubt that your career will be long lived. I just enjoy wasting time poking the bear, probably due to boredom.

 

[1337BeachedWhale1337]

What are you talking about Victim mentality? None of those things have happened to me, so how could I have a victim mentality?

If none of those things happened to you, why then are you using that thesis to support your position? Grasping for anything that might stick to the wall when thrown? BTW, I don't really care if you're a student at one of the service academies or not, doubt that if you are, that your career will be long lived, but rather just enjoy wasting time poking the bear, probably due to boredom.

Are you actually serious? Someone said that graduating from a SA is completely up to the cadet. I stated 2 possible cases in which it is not up to the cadet. Something has to happen to me in order for me to use it as an argument? What are you talking about?

When did I say you cared? What indication have I given you that I care what you think? What's all the hate for lmao? I have an opinion you disagree with so you just throw a bunch of ad hominem remarks at me? Is this the 6th grade or something?

 

[BTCS/USN]

Are you actually serious? Someone said that graduating from a SA is completely up to the cadet. I stated 2 possible cases in which it is not up to the cadet. Something has to happen to me in order for me to use it as an argument? What are you talking about?

When did I say you cared? What indication have I given you that I care what you think? What's all the hate for lmao? I have an opinion you disagree with so you just throw a bunch of ad hominem remarks at me? Is this the 6th grade or something?

No hate. Just wondering how so many people missed the mark.

 

[USMCGrunt]

"Human beings are human beings. They say what they want, don't they? They used to say it across the fence while they were hanging wash. Now they just say it on the Internet. "

Dennis Miller

 

[BTCS/USN]

"Human beings are human beings. They say what they want, don't they? They used to say it across the fence while they were hanging wash. Now they just say it on the Internet. "

Dennis Miller

Or they reach an age that they don't have to be politically correct any longer and say it anywhere.

Me

 

[brovol]

No offense intended, but in my experience that type of attitude is usually exhibited by someone that has led a sheltered life. Sometimes it takes a hard dose of personal experience to realize that we will do just about anything to protect our loved ones and our way of life.

Everyone is someone's loved one. Valuing your own loved ones more than someone else's is called selfishness.

Absurd. Sounds like a comment from someone single with no children. Not an attack on you, just validating my earlier point about not getting it until it happens to you.

I'm confused, would you disagree that choosing to save your own loved one's instead of other people is selfish? Those other people have families too, and are valued by other people. You choose to save your loved ones instead of those random strangers because it is what you want. If that's not selfishness, what is it?

Saving loved ones is selfish? Is selfish a bad thing? BTW, I am a Constitutional/individual liberty and rights guy, so I think the "pursuit of happiness", and prosperity is a good thing; selfish as that might be. I wish more people thought the same, and went out to succeed on there own, without requiring others to do so for them; but I digress.

Whale: I think you just say ridiculous things which have no connection to intellectual thought in order to provoke confrontation. I also doubt highly that you are a WP Cadet, as there are too many signs to the contrary; and because I have too high an impression of WP admissions staff to think they would allow the same.

...but if I am wrong on both of those conclusions, Lord help those who serve under your command.

I find it rather unfortunate that you lack the maturity to respectfully disagree with another person.

You take a lot of the things I say completely out of context in order to frame it and support your narrative. I find it quite annoying.

Does it raise your self esteem when you insult some random dude on the internet?

My self esteem tends to stay about the same regardless what I do or say these days. I do get a spiritual boost though when I expose those who I think lack character. Draw your own conclusions as to whether I have a higher level of vigor tonight after our little banter.

As for maturity, my wife would likely agree with you there, so no argument. I enjoy debate with those who offer thoughtful insight to a conversation. I must admit I haven't experienced much enrichment from our little chat.

 

[NTWLF ONE]

Where is Sledge when we need him? Time for some more Dr. Strangelove quotes....