"Day Zero," starring Chris Klein, Elijah Wood, and Jon Bernthal centers around three friends in New York City who have been called to serve their country with reinstatement of the draft. It is a compelling drama in that it emphasizes the emotional and philosophical toll it takes on these characters more so than political stances on the war issue.While they have 30 days to prepare themselves for the life changing event, issues of love, loyalty, courage, dark secrets and honor emerge throughout the film. Though it is primarily a drama, there are some witty moments (particularly with Wood's character) and it is refreshing not to see stereotypical personalities often characteristic of most mainstream blockbuster movies.
It's not a matter of whether one will be drafted or not; choice is irrelevant. Instead....
How will you cope with it, mentally and emotionally? If you knew you were heading to a warzone soon, would you live your life any differently? Care more, care less? Avoid or confront yourself (psychologically)?
And where does our loyalty lie? Who takes the most precedence: individual or society?
4 comments:
Who takes the most precedence: individual or society?
This presents an issue with the whole judeo-christian way of thinking. The concept of a soul & self makes us a little more selfish when it comes to situations like this. We should act as a community and put these concepts aside if we are to keep what we have. What do you think? Are you willing to do this?
My issue is with this is obvious, I second guessing those in charge who are putting me out there to fight and possibly die. I don’t think I could go kill other brown people just because their leaders have misinformed them that I hate them, their religion, way of life, and want them to die.
As of now we use people in the lower economic classes, for the most part, to go do our dirty work. I have a friend who directly trains these people and then ships them out to “most likely die.” They are from nowheresville, uneducated, and lately a good amount have questionable back grounds(i.e. criminal) My friend has a very hard time sleeping each night.
My life has been threatened a few times in the last two weeks. I have found I do both, Katie, care more for some thing-less for others. When you choose to live in the current moment, be conscious and live in the now, your perspectives change.
Yes, it's definitely a tough call. If the draft were reinstated, you wouldn't technically have a choice in the matter. Forced choice really isn't a 'choice' either. Of course, you can opt to not go, but then you would have to deal with legal and ethical/moral scrutiny.
Does your friend work for some kind of military recruitment? And have to make a quota, thus only emphasizing the potential things he or she might find great about it vs. the risks/dangers/downfalls? Is your friend trying to find another job? Yeah, I don't think I could have a job that I felt guilty about. It's bad enough working for corporate America again in retail (!!), let alone something I would have a hard time justifying to myself and my pacifist ways of being.
Why has your life been threatened lately? And what did you mean by this statement: "I have found I do both, Katie, care more for some thing-less for others."
Thanks for your thoughtful response. :)
My friend is just career military. It's the position they put him in now. Train the kids, ship them out. The city I am in right now is just a military town. GI's everywhere, jet fighter planes always flying overhead, practicing I guess.
And for myself, the border violence with the corrupt Juarez cops and the drug cartels is spilling over into my city. You can't hide you just adapt. I own a gun now, sadly enough...
You have to carry a gun with you? Holy shit Sebastian. You need to get the hell outta dodge (no blog related pun intended, hehehe). Any thoughts of you and the future Mrs. moving to a wonderful place like...I don't know....Seattle?!?! ;)
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