The Experience of War

Intro to Humanities: HUMA-1100-012

Jordan McNabb 11/12/2013

The experience of the tragic art of war and how the tiniest grain of sand tips the scales in causing bloodshed. This journal is to explore viewpoints of different experiences through art, music, writings and experiences. This will I hope allow you to see how war affects all in its path.

War Is No Discriminator of Persons

This photograph did not have any particular title so I named this photo war is no respecter of persons. This photo was taken in Nagasaki, Japan shortly after the atomic bomb was dropped in the Second World War. This little child is the victim of war and amidst absolute rubble of the city. The debris in this photo among the intense charring of this poor childs flesh is the reason I have chosen this photo. War has no limits in who is chosen as casualty and I think the photographer, Ysuke Yamahata, wanted to capture that soldiers were not affected by the decision to use this weapon. The horrors of this tactic cost the lives of families in thousands. I had never really looked at the aftermath or harm in nuclear weapons affects. The victims, not unlike this child, were boiled in their own skin and the survivors were permanently marked in society and could not marry. I was compelled to look into this by the comments everyone was making in class about just nuking people when going to war. This photographer and the subjects intrigued me when I looked up the topic of war photography in the World War II. I found that he literally gave his life photographing in the aftermath from the radiation in the area. He wanted the world to see the devastation first hand. I believe that the sentiment never again fits so perfectly for this case. I would never wish this fate to my enemies. The one question that keeps coming to mind is, did we absolutely have to drop two of

these bombs? This makes me wonder about those in power of the decisions they make in such hard times. Did they realize the impact of this particular bomb? Did the leaders feel it absolutely necessary to devastate so many who were impacted? These are questions that still are unanswered and keep rolling around up in the organ between the two shoulders. This Photo alone as well as those in the collection taken altered my view on humanity for the rest of my life.

http://www.fogonazos.es/2007/02/hiroshima-pictures-they-didnt-want-us_05.html

The Real Cost of War

This sister is mourning maybe longing for her long lost brother that was lost to the war in Afghanistan. The Photographers capturing of this tender image of focusing on the grave and

having everything else blurred out. It sets the scene of death and solemnness. There are others in the background at the grave of another soldier visiting another tragedy of war. This can be taken so many ways of how this brother gave his life, how he lived before he was dead, what kind of bravery it must have taken in his part and his families part to let him leave them to protect them and their ways of living? All these I have thought of when I look at this young lady mourning at her fallen brothers grave. I have asked about what would happen if one of those I loved died in service of protecting the freedoms I enjoy or that of anothers. It helped me seeing this to appreciate those who have served and those who have not returned from serving. This is not an easy task for either side of the war. The thought of sister in Afghanistan on the opposing side laying at the grave of her older brother thinking of the games they played. I agree that the casualties of war can be so horrific on both sides and the risk is taken when you go to war.
http://www.businessinsider.com/the-real-cost-of-our-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-photo-2013-3

President of a Country Making the Decision on War

In the country of Funland, there has always been a sense of peace throughout the ages. No war had been waged for quite some time with the neighboring kingdoms where trade was abundant. Food as well as crafts came bounteously in all manner of abundance and diversity in grains, animals, breads from the local markets, goods from the blacksmiths and jewelers had reputable talent even for the eye of the king in the land. King Julian was a fair and rightful ruler to the throne and had many lords under his rule that gave him support.

As King Julian was ruling in this kingdom of prosperity there arose contentions among the borders where trade with the neighboring lands and kingdoms flourished. One country in particular was jealous of King Julians rule and the prosperous kingdom that therein he ruled. This kingdom then thought of how they could demise this kingdoms industry and prosperity. The opposing leader of Nofunland, Lord Humperdinck, wanted so badly just to wipe them off the face of the earth! He then started taking out the outer villages at random every two weeks or so. This Caused King Julian soreness in his heart and he felt it his duty to protect his people. He sent an envoy three times trying to persuade Lord Humperdinck of his evil ways. The first one envoy of the three he sent in hopes to resolve this peacefully came back unharmed but the negotiations of giving allowing the continual trade of iron for more of the crafted farm equipment to help Nofunland see prosperity was denied. King Julian became very taken aback. He sent a second envoy this time trying to give his upheaved country help by giving them some rations every year for the help they had given them. This envoy with came back with a wagon full of their bodies and a message saying we are at war with you. King Julian did not wish this thinking of the brave husbands and fathers and their families would have to suffer by battling this in defense of their fellow countrymen. In a Last attempt at freedom and peaceful negotiations he sent his most loyal and moost negotiable, and cunning lord to try to settle this quarrel of Lord Humperdincks. This lord was Julians best friend and most loyal to him out of all the lords in his kingdom that had served him thus far. As the lord went he tried then Humperdinck had his head on a pike and had it delivered to the kings court to be posted that this would not be resolved peacefully. King Julians sword hung by his side and clanked with his trembling of sadness and grief, laced with

the emotion of fear and anger of the decision he had to make. War had become of his kingdom. This decision had to be made to protect those outer lying villages and the people therein. He called to arms and summoned those who could fight. Then called young men in reserves for when the time came to be trained if it came to this. Julian had to be sure he was ready. He mustered the catapults, archers, cavalry and the footmen. This was not going to be the best for the families stricken for loss and seeing their men possibly for the last time but this was necessary. With a rallying cry with his country at the threshold of his turret, he announced to the people that he must go to war to secure the borders. The cost of men lost in battle honorably would outweigh those lost in innocent blood by the tyrant who refused these negotiations. We as a country need to rise up by supporting the troops in which I command and lead into the field of battle. I have my wife and family so as your husbands and fathers are with me I too will know the sting of battle with you. I will be there beside you to mourn those lost and you will know that I tried all in my power to resolve this peacefully.

Truth in War
The truth is the first victim of reporting in wars by the news companies biasing their opinions to the appeasement of their sponsors. This skews in many ways the truth of what is being told. Governments also want the news to side in their favor. This helps to win that favor of the peoples of your country. This has been done inn many instances in times of war. In the most recent war there were campaigns for support of on both sides of enemy lines. In America the news was ordered to be reported by showing the aftermath of the trade center bombings.

While on the enemy front it was shown constantly about what the Americans were doing against the leaders and the casualties of the war. This rallied the support of both sides that would bolster them both up into joining the war efforts and fronts.

Speech to the Third Army by: General Patton

Patton poses the question in his address to the men about to go to war, what is worth dying for? Would we all rather die in our beds or die through serving our country in the service. Fear Patton demonstrates Is only normal in combat and will grow less and less. From a person who has not served in the military have never dreamed of dying for the cause of which Patton speaks of. Dying for ones country is the greatest honor and is not to be taken of thinking about it lightly. As i have observed photos and video of those who have lost their beloved ones in war. This tears my heart out to see those family members in such discomfort. Patton really drives it home to the men who most made the choice to do this will bring great honor. Youve got to spill their blood, or they will spill yours. P.660 Pattons way of telling the men to die will be prevented by following his command. To die for ones country is a hard thing to wrap ones mind around and this will help to cope with the death.

Official Notice by: Langston Hughes

Langston is implying the question what is supposed to come from the letters from the government telling of loved ones death for war? There is no comfort in those letters and it is a dreadful way fro death to come knocking on anyones door. My sisters husband served in Afghanistan recently and she dreaded a letter from the letter carriers everyday he was gone. The terrible news that those letters signed by the president bares is the grievous tidings that should be born in person with some

human emotions. The blood is not to be taken lightly in the wars that were raged by the commander and should be taken into account.

To The Warmongers: Siegfried Sassoon

How are those sentenced to experience the war horrors and images burned deep into the subconscious supposed to merge back into society? The Soldiers I feel have taken a lot of blood shed into their minds and have really scarred themselves emotionally and mentally. This has been a huge scientific research and I have been constantly aware of this and have asked this to myself in the past four or five years. The reports of several incidents have been driving the studies and treatment of the demon in many the menace PTSD. The drugs used to treat this have improved greatly from where everyone just took the terrors in the night by drinking it away and drugs to ease the pain of death.

Masters of War by: Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan poses, what is to be done about the companies making the weapons and profits off the line of war? The constant advances in military weapons and technology and the budget to constantly advance this machine of war that has a constant need to be fed and nourished by those that profit off those that die for the cause. The fate of those constantly making a profit and not giving back to those that really need it really has a huge impact in the morals of war. This will constantly be a thing of controversy with me. This will serve to purpose the people in the office chairs of an executive seat. This brings to mind a line from a Linkin Park: Hands Held High : "When the rich wage war, it's the poor who die" Meanwhile, the leader just talks away while they sit in their chairs men and women for our country die while they make big money.