Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

People Confess If They'd Take Up Arms And Risk Death To Protect Their Country

People Confess If They'd Take Up Arms And Risk Death To Protect Their Country
Eduard Delputte on Unsplash

We are in troubling times friends.

Everyday the news out of Ukraine is heartbreaking.

And it makes you wonder... "What if that was us?"

Could many of us stand up and join a military resistance if we had to?

It's one thing to think about sacrificing your life, it's a whole other thing to do it.


Redditor CallMeBicBoi wanted to know who would be willing to go to war.

They asked:

"As a civilian, would you be willing to take up arms and potentially die to protect your country? Why or why not?"

I would not head to war. Mostly because I'd be useless. I faint at a pinprick of blood. So...

Coming for us all...

Greeting Us Army GIF by GoArmyGiphy

"Once the invading army starts killing civilians, I'll feel like I have no choice. They're coming after me and my family."

carsoncanArtsome

A Direct Hit

"If my country/state was under direct occupation, yes. I am willing to protect my community, family and country. If there was a draft for a war we have no business being in, no. I don't consider protecting America's capitalist interests on foreign soil important."

FR_0S_TY

Without Hesitation!

"I live in Canada. My country hasn't been invaded since we had a little scuffle with our downstairs neighbours in 1812. The idea of going to war to protect my country is an abstract, something that could theoretically happen but isn't an imminent threat. Compare that to Ukraine. It isn't an abstract concept to them."

"I'm sure many are fighting for a sense of nationalism and a desire to protect their country, but how many more are fighting because their families are being threatened? Would I go to war out of a sense of patriotic duty? No, I lack the sort of nationalistic pride that that requires. Would I go to war if that's what I had to do to keep my children safe? Without hesitation."

ThievingRock

The Helpers

"I’d probably just care for the wounded. Equally as important but I don’t want to kill anyone."

CaptainPugwash75

"This should be the top comment. Help is most frequently found through a warm hand and heart. Medical expertise is a huge bonus lol. I don't give a f**k about someone shooting at me, but the person who helps to calm a mind during a traumatic event... they have a special place."

well_rounded_mango

Things to do...

"No. I’m a coward. I’ll do anything needed here at home to help but I’d be a gibbering mess and would likely mishandle my weapon. No branch of the military wants a person who is just as likely to shoot their comrades versus the enemy."

Rachel1578

"Dig trenches, fill sandbags, and triage wounded. Hack computers, conduct targeted misinformation... there's plenty you could do to contribute."

WildBilll33t

Nobody wants to be in a war, clearly.

It's good to know there are options besides the battlefield though.

Burn it Up!

burn it season 4 GIF by PowerGiphy

"If my friends were directly at risk and we were being invaded, yes. Otherwise if it was just a draft to go overseas and kill poor people? Hell no I'd burn the draft notice."

Dire-Dog

Joe can do...

"Yes. My nation may not be perfect by a long shot, I’ll be one of the first to tell you that; but it is my home, it is where the ones I love call home as well. I’d rather die than have that be taken away. Well it’s not financially possible for some to leave and/or they already have a life that’s been built/established here. Those reasons would make it difficult to leave. Also there’s not much an average Joe can do. We can try to vote the people in that we think could change our country for the better but..."

f**kpepsi2

For Country!

"If it was to 'protect the country.' Not for some CIA game of risk or so giant multinationals make mega profits while the standard of living goes down for the average person. Certainly not so certain commodities can be secured when history has proven it isn't remotely worth it. Warmongers will figure out a narrative to make killing for greed patriotic."

HeyHihoho

Not traveling...

Cbs No GIF by HULUGiphy

"I would be willing to protect against an invasion on the continental US, but I won't be sent overseas to play world police."

superchilldad

Pray for Peace

"My country? See this is what I find strange. I find the concept of pride in something I had nothing to do with odd. I was born in Canada, I am Canadian. I'm proud of what Canada represents and the ideals we uphold, but to die for for my 'country' is something I wouldn't subscribe to."

"I'd protect my family, friends, neighbours and anyone else from a threat to their lives or way of life from a threat, internal or external. But what flag flies or where the lines are drawn on the map really mean nothing to me. Let me live my life in peace. Honestly, I think we will never see true peace until we forfeit the idea of countries and governments. Which, unfortunately, I don't think will ever happen."

Silver-Dragonfly3462

War is ugly. And there seems to be no way to fix it. So for now all we do is pray.

And to all soldiers... Thank you for your service.


Want to "know" more?

Sign up for the Knowable newsletter here.

Never miss another big, odd, funny or heartbreaking moment again.

More from Trending/best-of-reddit

Serena Williams; Coco Gauff
Michael Buckner/Variety/Getty Images; Robert Prange/Getty Images

Serena Williams Offers Cheeky Advice To Coco Gauff After She Smashed Her Racket Following Australian Open Loss

There's no better person to take advice from than someone who's gone through exactly what you're going through right now. Having four Olympic Gold medals might not hurt, either.

While participating in the Australian Open quarterfinals, tennis star Coco Gauff was moved to tears when she lost the competition to Elina Svitolina. But the cameras kept rolling after she stepped off the court, revealing that she smashed her tennis racket out of frustration once alone in the back halls of the athletic center.

Keep ReadingShow less
TikToker Romeo Bingham; Dr. Pepper
@romeosshow/TikTok; Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto/Getty Images

People Are Floored After Dr. Pepper Actually Uses TikToker's Catchy Jingle In Commercial

Let's be real: You'll never get what you want if you don't shoot your shot.

That was what TikToker Romeo Bingham decided when she was bored and suddenly came up with the idea for a new jingle for Dr. Pepper.

Keep ReadingShow less
Jennifer Grey Shares Poignant Thoughts After 'Dirty Dancing' Sequel Is Set To Start Filming—And Fans Are Thrilled
Taylor Hill/FilmMagic; Getty Images

Jennifer Grey Shares Poignant Thoughts After 'Dirty Dancing' Sequel Is Set To Start Filming—And Fans Are Thrilled

In 1987, audiences had the time of their lives when Dirty Dancing hit theaters. Nearly 40 years later, that story is officially stepping back onto the dance floor.

Lionsgate announced Tuesday, January 27, that Jennifer Grey will reprise her role as Frances “Baby” Houseman in an upcoming Dirty Dancing sequel. The project will be produced by The Hunger Games and Crazy Rich Asians producers Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson, with filming expected to begin later this year.

Keep ReadingShow less
TikTok logo
illustration by Cheng Xin/Getty Images

TikTok Now Claims A 'Power Outage' Is To Blame For The App's Massive Glitches—But The Internet Isn't So Sure

The new owners of U.S. TikTok—American investors to satisfy safety concerns about the app created by the Chinese technology company ByteDance—have an explanation for ongoing problems experienced by users beginning Sunday morning.

For context, MAGA Republican President Donald Trump infamously ranted about the app and vowed to permanently ban it from the United States during his first term in office.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of Megyn Kelly; Picture of Alex Pretti from memorial
The Megyn Kelly Show; Octavio Jones/AFP via Getty Images

Megyn Kelly Slammed After Boasting About Why She Doesn't 'Feel Sorry' For ICE Shooting Victim Alex Pretti

Right-wing talk show host Megyn Kelly was slammed after she shared her reasons for not feeling "sorry" for ICU nurse Alex Pretti, who was fatally shot by ICE agents over the weekend.

Calls for an investigation have intensified from across the political spectrum after analysis of multiple videos showed ICE officers removing a handgun from Pretti—a weapon that authorities said Pretti was permitted to carry but was not handling at the time—before fatally shooting him.

Keep ReadingShow less