Casualties of War

[cynatnite]

In 1989 Michael J. Fox played the role of a soldier during the Vietnam War. The men in his unit kidnapped, raped and eventually killed a young woman. Michael J. Fox's character does nothing to stop the kidnapping or the rape. It's not until the towards the end of the film that we see he finally stands up to see a war crime righted and those responsible brought to justice.

This film was panned by the critics and audiences alike, but watching it today when we are at war and keeping in mind the torture and abuses of Abu Ghraib perhaps it's a portion of reality that can explain so much of the unexplainable.

I've heard it said by other Vietnam Vets that during war, obscene in itself, that morality and humanity go out the window. The soldier loses so much of himself in war that he is disconnected somehow which might explain why some so easily go along with torture and other offensive acts they otherwise would never participate in.

I guess this is my way of attempting to make sense of some servicemembers taking that step into a place most would never dare.