tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036023315487420134.post6121418830288938796..comments2024-03-04T03:16:17.490-05:00Comments on Interpreting the Civil War: Fifty Shades of Blue and Grey: Civil War Torture Porn?John Rudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05613203957933442701noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036023315487420134.post-2917140718086382422012-07-27T18:50:09.134-04:002012-07-27T18:50:09.134-04:00I have seen people cry at reenactments I have part...I have seen people cry at reenactments I have participated in (albeit they were WWII reenactments). While some might claim that Saving Private Ryan is bloody entertainment, I would wager more would see it as a horrifying exhibition--and a compelling one at that. "Glory" and "heartbreak" can mesh together easier than what one may initially think.Jared Frederickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16338961190412502120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036023315487420134.post-88277806923679108922012-07-27T02:29:24.937-04:002012-07-27T02:29:24.937-04:00Civil War and the glorification of violence...well...Civil War and the glorification of violence...well this is a topic that at Gettysburg College came up every once in a while. Sometimes it was a discussion with fellow students, other times it was part of a reading in class, and finally it was sometimes addressed in discussions during class. <br /><br />While the ideal for battlefields, films, television, and books about war are to be anti-war; the problem is that the glorifying of war will never end as long as time goes on. I'm not going to absolutely defend or attack either position here, but I will say that both camps fulfill a purpose - keeping each other in check. <br />The anti-war tries to keep us from recklessly engaging in war, think twice about using force, and remind us that there are severe consequences to war. Those that are, pro-war or whatever term you would want to use, are the ones that make sure there are still some people willing to fight when it becomes necessary, make sure our readiness doesn't lapse too much that we can't defend ourselves, and keep learning how to win efficiently and quickly as possible to minimize casualties and damage. <br />Wars can be deterred and minimized, but can never be completely stopped. At this point in history, thanks to technology that primarily America has lead in developing, conventional wars are pretty close to extinction. Countries, at least those facing us, now have to resort to the kind of warfare Sun Tzu wrote about in which minimal resources must be stretched as far as possible for the largest effect possible. In other words, we can no long play Chess that emphasizes battle and force and instead play Chinese "Go" as it's called and try and control territory with as few pieces as possible on the board. <br />So, I say that people like John here need to keep on doing what he does with supporting anti-war. As for that Civil War enthusiast or "Buff", just make sure he gets reminded once in a while how horrible war is to reign in his fandom of violence. He will always be around, and he also contributes to helping the country learn about our past tragedies in his own way - Specifically, the very numerous buffs pay taxes that help pay for those parks and educational programs that talk about the war (not to mention other voluntary donations) - and his interest in the war helps keeps the subject in the public forum rather than be neglected and forgotten (where it does us no good).DavidF.Historianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06859934735829958043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036023315487420134.post-17354291298622933472012-07-26T22:27:58.539-04:002012-07-26T22:27:58.539-04:00I would like to see a movie list, too.
I believe ...I would like to see a movie list, too.<br /><br />I believe I have digital media on the brain. The result? My desire to use the many media-types available to me to express my gratitude for you inducting me into the blogging conversation: http://youtu.be/ieEoSglJNpA<br /><br />#johnrudyfanclub<br /><br />All goofiness aside, I agree with you and struggled with the "what does this place mean" while working at the battlefield. I still dislike the use of the term "Civil War Buff" for it conjures up images of those seeking the facade of some shining glory of war that I saw as non-existent. The gore is there, it is a battlefield. Rarely are people prepared for the fullness of what that truly means (if the fullness is even a comprehendible thing to our 21st century sensitivities!). <br /><br />Well done.ekdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07064484063147177142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6036023315487420134.post-21255039157783629262012-07-26T14:06:48.074-04:002012-07-26T14:06:48.074-04:00Excellent post Captain John!
As for the best film...Excellent post Captain John!<br /><br />As for the best films... BAH! Where is "The Longest Day"? How about "All Quiet on the Western Front" (the b&w, not the one with John Boy)? Surely you wouldnt leave out that paragon of the AmRev "The Patriot"? (ok I am kidding on that last one as my hated of it is well known)<br /><br />We shall need a movie list on here.Robert Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02233458259866896836noreply@blogger.com