Am I evil?
 

In light of a certain thread I thought I'd get a quick opinion poll from the members.

http://forums.sv650.org/viewtopic.php?t=30747

Probably not :D :wink:

but if this or the other thread degenerates into a slanging match then I wont be very amused

You guys know the rules

No

But IMHO you were on the wrong side.

And this is not a clear cut issue. You were a SADF conscript, but you did have choices.

For the record I did not like the way SWAPO conducted themselves. The ANC made big mistakes too.

Whether you were right on wrong is for none of us to decide. Everyone is entitled to an opinion. Doesn't make it gospel so to speak.

You were there at the time, if it seemed the right thing to do then so be it.
Not all that up on SA history, you ask me some very bad things went on but have done for hundreds of years.

IMHO if you feel proud then who are we to argue. Chances are its because you were part of a team and your family being of military background were pleased that you joined.

As for the attrocities, I cannot comment as I don't know enough.
But what I do know is that someone in a higher position makes those choices making them more guilty than you.

It's not a matter of "sides". Without knowing what you personally done, I can't comment on whether you're "evil". I just think as you yourself said, war makes people do some appauling things (you may not have used those very words but correct me if I'm way off track).

Being involved in any way shape or form is not something to be proud of is what I'm saying. Innocent people do die in wars and I don't believe in a casual acceptance of that fact.

I'll also reiterate that irrespective of all that, it's not a personal attack or judgement. This is based on looking at the wider picture which I think I'm entitled to have an opinion on.

If it makes it any easier on you Maggie Thatcher herself once said that all British citizens fighting in the SADF were war criminals. I wasn't concered, I was only disobeying orders.

You should be proud, providing that you didn't break your own moral code.

There are men still around that were conscripts into the wermacht (sp?), fighting for the worst goverment in modern times, they are proud of the units they were in, and I believe rightfully so. No-one now says that all Germans over the age of say 70 are evil and they had a similar "choice".

I say a rather meaningful aside there from His Fizzness as he dips his toe in to the pool of authority! :wink: That's it mate...you show them your not to be messed with! :)

I think it must be accepted that in any conflict there will be wrong on all sides.

Just so long as you can have a clear conscience, knowing that how you conducted yourself was decent and proper, then no, you're not evil.

But as said above, it's not our place to know, it's not possible for anyone but you to truly decide whether that's the case.

South Africa was politically "backward" at the time you are talking about but ,in truth,only by a couple of decades.There are countless examples of nations including Britain indulging in imoral and unjust military activity so what's so special about vilifying South Africans who served in their own countries forces.Smacks of "holier than thou" to me.
More contraversial;I believe that young people need to do something in their late teens or early twenties that makes them grow up.Burner,I bet you grew up quick in Walvis bay.It don't have to be military service but something like that teaches you ten years worth in about six months.