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From: Robert Vokoun
T1: jvokoun@ix.netcom.com
Date: 10/30/97
Time: 7:44:44 PM
Remote Name: 204.32.198.168
If a person who goes through Vietnam comes out desensitized I call him very lucky. We are talking about a man who probably lost friends and subordinates in a war that made no sense at all. Is he desensitized to the war, I say no. Powell is telling the reader in a matter of fact voice, he may not be able to humanize something that is so far from what being human is all about. In other words he is explaining what is going through the minds of the soldier who is fighting the war, not the victim and not the leader. Soldiers are trained to kill the enemy, that is their main purpose. As for the kill or be killed comment that is one of the most important things in war. You have to remember that if you are too nice and sensitive that may just end up killing you. One must also not mistake that all wars are "kill or be killed", what else do you expect from a war, chocolate cake.