Today, Remembrance Day (technically yesterday), I was sent home from work because I refused to wear a poppy. Remembrance Day--the day where we remember a multitude of murderers, who were in turn murdered themselves (to be fair, not all of them were murderers); and we also remember that this was all okay. In fact, it was so okay that Canada, along with many other countries, made a law that forced people to become murderers, without question. I'm glad I have your attention.
Before I invoke the eternal hate of everyone ever, let me state that I respect those that fought against the army of the man who thought genocide was a good idea--against their will, no less. By fighting that army, they fought that idea. But was it really a victory if the soldiers we pay tribute to fought only because they were forced to? How do we really know they were opposed to Hitler's ideas? Maybe some thought Hitler's ideas were better than our Prime Ministers' ideas. In fact, I know of an older man who was rather fond of Hitler's ideas, in particular, his system of capital punishment. If it were up to the soldiers, maybe they would have fought those ideas another way; maybe they would have supported them; maybe they would have tried to rationalize with the humans, and perhaps friends or relatives, they fought against.
So just what are we acknowledging on Remembrance Day? We acknowledge soldiers that have died in World Wars I and II, certainly; but we also acknowledge the causes of those soldiers deaths.
Remembrance Day is a solemn affair, but it is slightly glorified too--the 'they fought for our freedom' phrase is often and easily uttered; however, let me remind you that freedom is a tricky little thing, something that likely cannot be attained fully. We are all slaves to money. In order to live, we must work for money in order to purchase things that we need (food, water, shelter, etc.). In order to circumvent this system, one must have an immaculate comprehension and understanding of survival skills. Few people would go to these lengths to live in isolated nature. In regards to WWII, recall that Hitler was arbitrarily killing Jews, homosexuals, and perhaps a few other minorities. (Feel free to fill in the gaps.) So, assuming Hitler didn't have a problem with anyone else, Canadian soldiers only really fought for the freedom of some people, mainly a minority of the population. (Note: I really like minorities [which are majorities in other parts of the world]! I'm sorry history hasn't been the best for you!) But let's go back to this idea of humanity.
If conscription ever comes into effect in the country in which I live, I will leave. I will be glad never to return. How awful is it to force someone to do something against their will? That's what rape is--granted the scenario and people involved are a little different. The principle behind it is the same. When you refuse a person a choice, when you remove their autonomy, they become a slave. Slavery was outlawed a long time ago, just in case you didn't know. This I cannot stand for. I cannot stand for how the soldiers we remember were moulded so that they would not think, not question authority, only obey. I cannot stand that kind of treatment of anyone. How cruel is it to rob a person of their rationality? The very thing that separates them from all other animals?
Let's also not forget about the bamboozling immensity of the business of war; the hypocrisy of allowing men and women to kill other soldiers and civilians without repercussion while a person who kills someone for revenge (i.e., avenging the murder of a loved one) is considered a criminal; how the reasons for war are never the reasons the government/military tells the public; torture; and other deplorable consequences.
All of these things are tied to Remembrance Day. They are the reasons why those soldiers are dead; they are the reasons why they aren't celebrating their 40th or 50th wedding anniversary with their loved ones this year; the reason why they aren't teaching their grandkids how to make a toy car out of wood, or ride a horse. They are lives that could otherwise be filling with world with happiness instead of remorse. They are the reasons why I cannot wear a poppy.
