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loopsygonegirl t1_ja70kiq wrote

Reply to comment by boringhistoryfan in ‘That’s my neighbour’: Mariupol residents’ shock at Putin’s parade line-up | Ukraine by madrid987

> what else would you do?

I think quite some people would naively answer this question with 'I would fight'. The whole gun ownership logic in the US is based on that rational. From the safety we are in, it is quite easy to imagine we will be brave and resist. But in the end of day most of us (at least I know I will be) are cowards with just the will to survive/live, even if it means betraying ourselves/country.

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boringhistoryfan t1_ja70r1g wrote

Thing is, i can still imagine them saying that if it was just adults. Indeed many did. But once you have kids? And the occupying power can threaten those kids?

Even if the parents are eager to fight, hate collaborating... I can't hate them for it. They aren't the ones facing risk here. Their kids are too. "I would fight" is that much harder to say when your child is also in the power of the one you want to fight. When that power can threaten to kidnap or murder your child as much as you.

I imagine most parents, if forced to choose between their country and their children will choose their children. And I would never blame them for it

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loopsygonegirl t1_ja7i05x wrote

That is my whole point? When it comes to right to bear arms, the argument 'I need it against arbitrary government/a tyranny' is often used. And that is the whole problem I am pointing out. I don't think those/most people take into account that a tyrant government will go after your kids (or you as a person for that matter), making it very hard to actually pick up arms. Like I said, it is easy to claim something when you are not in danger. We all imagine to be heros from the safety we are in, but when it really comes down to that moment I doubt most of us are those heros.

I don't understand where the 'I can't hate them for it' part comes from and I prefer to leave it out. I am just explaining why it is normal and human to do it like that... taking a hate into any discussionis so polarizing.

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