Mixed Feelings


I absolutely sympathize with her and absolutely thank her for her service...I've had friends/family members in the service, some went to Iraq and Afghanistan as well.

My mixed feeling is on how she felt...she said she felt horrible for pointing a gun at families, people...etc. I can understand, however, did she not realize before enlisting that is something you do in war? You're going to be pointing guns at people, you may even kill people...Of course no one wants that to happen, but you have to be aware of that before you enlist and you really need to think about it. You can be mentally tough, but if you can't come to grips with that, then the military is not for you.

I agree with another poster as well...I was not too fond of the anti-war sentiment...PTSD crosses all political affiliations and beliefs, lets focus on that and how to properly treat those who live with that vs. turning it into something anti-military anti-American..

reply

I think the idea of something is, sometimes, a great departure from the reality. How you THINK you'll feel about something could be very far from reality. I also don't know that, as a teenager, she did think that she would be pointing guns at innocent people. I was in High School from 2001-2005. I knew quite a few young people who went to that war and had no idea that they wouldn't always be the good guys they had envisioned. I understand what you're saying, I just think she didn't fully know what she as getting into. As she stated in the film, she was told by her recruiter that she would be helping people.....

reply

So because you take issue with her anti-war sentiment, this means you must be pro-war? Why would anyone on the face of the earth be pro-war and don't give me some sort of stupid comment that 'sometimes war is necessary'. No it isn't. There are always choices. Those in charge of most countries are corrupt and lead the people astray. I'm always surprised by the fact that some Americans believe that in order to be patriotic or a good U.S. citizen, YOU MUST BELIEVE IN WAR. You can support those who choose to go into the military without supporting a war.
PTSD was part of the focus of this film. Also, part of the focus was on how this veteran felt about serving her country and what she had to do while there. A good deal of Vietnam vets came back and were anti-war as well. Do you really find that surprising or disturbing?

I'll tell you in another life when we are both cats.

reply