Female, but signed the pacifist pledge at 16, and still adhere to it. I don't believe in borders either, they are dangerous, provoke conflict, and cause heartache for those divided. I trust I would not stand by and watch a child or weak person being attacked, but that I would do my best to prevent it, to stop the harm - but who can be certain of how they would react.
I am male, and I would not have signed the pledge at 16. At 16, I was doing my "O"-levels. I was at an English public school, singing of God and glory and the Queen and tradition, and responsibility, and tossing a rugger ball back and forth. So, I envy you. I envy your perspective and perspicacity at that young age. And I feel ashamed.
If you read the article "On conscientious objection" (https://endlesschain.substack.com/p/on-conscientious-objection), you can follow part of my path towards my present position. But I can confide in you the singular moment in which my resolve was cemented: the day I had to decide to put my dog down. I held her to me as the vet injected her and I felt her fight for life as the chemical overcame her, and she finally slumped dead in my arms. Aside from swatting a fly, it is the first time I had taken the decision into my own hands to end another life. It traumatised me then and it still traumatises me now.
If people who bay for war and for death to Venezuela, to China, to Russia, to Ukrainians, to Muslims, to Jews, to the people down the street, let alone across a border, if they would actually use their hands to end another person's life, not with a button or a trigger or a drone, but with mortal combat, individual strength against individual strength, they'd soon find peace a far preferable alternative.
I wept putting my cat to sleep. The vet told me off,it's just an animal, he said. I never went to him again. You get attached to pets, we have guinea pigs who don't live long, but have characters of their own. They are part of the family. I know how you felt aboutyour dog.
A friend recently had to put her dog down as well, and I sent a sympathy card. It said 'I feel your pain', and I did. You're right: your vet was a technician. We are ruled by technicians.
Some say 'it's only an animal'. Some say 'it's only a person'.
Female, but signed the pacifist pledge at 16, and still adhere to it. I don't believe in borders either, they are dangerous, provoke conflict, and cause heartache for those divided. I trust I would not stand by and watch a child or weak person being attacked, but that I would do my best to prevent it, to stop the harm - but who can be certain of how they would react.
I am male, and I would not have signed the pledge at 16. At 16, I was doing my "O"-levels. I was at an English public school, singing of God and glory and the Queen and tradition, and responsibility, and tossing a rugger ball back and forth. So, I envy you. I envy your perspective and perspicacity at that young age. And I feel ashamed.
If you read the article "On conscientious objection" (https://endlesschain.substack.com/p/on-conscientious-objection), you can follow part of my path towards my present position. But I can confide in you the singular moment in which my resolve was cemented: the day I had to decide to put my dog down. I held her to me as the vet injected her and I felt her fight for life as the chemical overcame her, and she finally slumped dead in my arms. Aside from swatting a fly, it is the first time I had taken the decision into my own hands to end another life. It traumatised me then and it still traumatises me now.
If people who bay for war and for death to Venezuela, to China, to Russia, to Ukrainians, to Muslims, to Jews, to the people down the street, let alone across a border, if they would actually use their hands to end another person's life, not with a button or a trigger or a drone, but with mortal combat, individual strength against individual strength, they'd soon find peace a far preferable alternative.
Guns are for cowards.
I wept putting my cat to sleep. The vet told me off,it's just an animal, he said. I never went to him again. You get attached to pets, we have guinea pigs who don't live long, but have characters of their own. They are part of the family. I know how you felt aboutyour dog.
A friend recently had to put her dog down as well, and I sent a sympathy card. It said 'I feel your pain', and I did. You're right: your vet was a technician. We are ruled by technicians.
Some say 'it's only an animal'. Some say 'it's only a person'.
Loved your remarks.