The Diary of a Young Girl
discussion
Anyone else hate this Diary
Tytti wrote: "Trixie wrote: "a British army - and look at all the young men and women killed recently in Afghanistan - for what?"Yes, they are in Afghanistan, it's hardly the same matter. There are wars worth ..."
I am obviously going to disagree with you - How can you say "it's a different matter"! Why is the killing in Afghanistan different from your war in Finland? Your pro-war comments are very apparent and yet you are saying you wouldn't fight? Just because you are a woman? As I said, you seem to think that the Finns involvement in war is more justified than any other conflict. Killing is killing, war is war - doesn't matter what reason or label you give it, it brings death, destruction and misery because people cannot agree with each other.....that's basically what wars are about. And who is it who decides to send a country to war? Usually the Fatcats who sit in warm offices, guzzling whisky and smoking cigars while drawing lines on a piece of paper called a map.
Mae wrote: "Kettle Corn anyone?..."Any kind of popcorn - it´s evening and i need my snack!
Seriously: i wouldn´t think of joining an army and go to war, but i would stand to defend myself and my own - that is to be sure.
Mae - you´re right: Anne would be very proud of this civilized discussion.
Maria wrote: "Salazar went back on his steps and eventually helped the Allies."Many people say that we flipped sides throughout the war. But where we are concerned, it was the Western Allies that flipped sides. First they were going to help us, then they declared war against us (because Germany was the only country willing to help), and then they again seem to think we were on their side. When in fact during the three wars that Finland fought the enemy was USSR, USSR and USSR (even if we were fighting the Germans then).
The funny part is that in many of those YouTube WWII maps (that even show Finland) they make a point of turning Finland "Allied" in March 1945. I wondered that for a long time because nothing happened then. Then I read somewhere that in the minutes of some meeting the Finnish government remarked that the country was and had been at war against Germany since last fall. I guess in the Western history writing this has been interpreted as a declaration of war when it was in fact just stating the obvious, for the future researchers maybe. There were hardly any Germans in the country anymore and Finland wasn't joining the Allies. The government made a similar remark in 1954 that the country wasn't at war anymore...
Maria wrote: "Mae wrote: "Kettle Corn anyone?..."Any kind of popcorn - it´s evening and i need my snack!
Seriously: i wouldn´t think of joining an army and go to war, but i would stand to defend myself and my..."
Agree totally with you Maria.
Trixie wrote: "Why is the killing in Afghanistan different from your war in Finland? And you are so obviously in agreement with the war your country fought - are you saying you wouldn't fight? Just because you are a woman? As I said, you seem to think that the Finns involvement in war is more justified than any other conflict."I haven't done a military service, that's why I wouldn't fight (with a weapon). We have a conscript army and women were not even allowed there until I was an adult. During the WWII 240,000 women served voluntarily in the Lotta Svärd organization, freeing men to the front. That is a lot out of a country of about 3.6 million people.
The difference was that we were attacked. Our much bigger neighbour started dropping bombs to our towns, without any provocation. They crossed the border in order to occupy the country and slave its people. If that is not a reason to fight a legitimate war with a good conscience, I don't know what is.
Tytti wrote: "Maria wrote: "Salazar went back on his steps and eventually helped the Allies."Many people say that we flipped sides throughout the war. But where we are concerned, it was the Western Allies that..."
We didn´t want to be a part of the WWII effort because of the bad experience we had in Flanders in WWI. So, Salazar, at the time decreed that Portugal was going to be neutral...bollocks! He wanted to side with the winners, so he was always on "the window" peeking outside, to see what was the outcome. I feel very ashamed that we were almost part of the German war effort, but that´s the way it was. Btw this info only came out in the later years, but i forget as to why the delay.....
Leslie wrote: "As much as one side feels "justified" and "victimized" by war, the other side always feels exactly the same. How can both be true without both also being false?"So the Soviet Union was somehow a victim of their attack on Finland?
Maria wrote: " I feel very ashamed that we were almost part of the German war effort, but that´s the way it was."Don't worry, Sweden also played on both sides. Though their situation was a bit trickier, but still, neutral they weren't (or were, considering they played on both sides...) Well, technically they were on the same side as Denmark, Norway and Finland (and helping them), unfortunately we were on different sides...
We would have prefered to stay neutral, too, but with Leningrad only 30 km from the border it was hardly possible.
Leslie wrote: "Ask the Soviets."So you don't have a problem with countries invading other countries? Ok.
Tytti wrote: "Trixie wrote: "Why is the killing in Afghanistan different from your war in Finland? And you are so obviously in agreement with the war your country fought - are you saying you wouldn't fight? Just..."So, although you're a sabre-rattler, you wouldn't actually physically fight - don;t you think that is just a teeny bit hypocritical? If you believe strongly that war and killing are justified, then you should be prepared to get your hands dirty and not just crow about those who did the dirty, dangerous bit on your behalf.
And what about innocent countries that have no involvement in a conflict? Take the case of Laos in SE Asia.....the most bombed country during the Vietnam War (which the Vietnamese refer to as the American war), and yet they were not involved at all! There are still thousands of buried UXBs which kill and maim people today - even as I write this....http://www.copelaos.org/ and http://legaciesofwar.org/resources/cl...
So don't tell me war is justified.
Leslie wrote: "Tytti wrote: "Leslie wrote: "Ask the Soviets."So you don't have a problem with countries invading other countries? Ok."
You certainly do jump to very fast and strange conclusions. War is a resu..."
Well said Leslie - a round of applause please :)
Trixie wrote: "So, although you are a sabre-rattler, you wouldn't actually physically fight - don;t you think that is just a teeny bit hypocritical?"I did think about going to the army, but as I said, it wasn't possible until I was already an adult and women being in the army was new and not totally accepted. I wouldn't have a problem killing someone if it were necessary. And I would rather be armed and killed in a battle than being raped and then killed, unarmed.
And how is it being a "sabre-rattler" if one says there is sometimes a reason to fight a war. Finland is not going to invade any country (unlike UK and USA). But we have an army that will fight if someone is trying to invade ours. Do you know anything about the Winter War? How you can say that it wasn't justified?
Leslie wrote: "War is a result of a breakdown of communication somewhere. Your conflict with the Soviets was the effect of whatever global complaint or fear the Soviet Union leadership had at that time."Okey, so what would you have done when Stalin demanded areas that would significally danger your defence and give away land your people had lived for centuries? It is always so easy to judge if you don't have to live with the decisions. (By the way, the Baltic countries did give into those same demands and they probably regretted it.) Also, Stalin and Hitler had already divided the Eastern Europe between them, so Stalin's intentions are known. Remember, we are talking about a paranoid dictator who had already killed ethnic Finns during the past decade.
@ TyttiWhat I am saying is that NO war is justified - regardless of the name you give it. I referred to you as a sabre-rattler because the contributions you have made to this thread have been, almost exclusively, singing the praises about Finland's involvement with violence and your continued support and approval.
The UK "won" both World Wars (as Leslie said, there are no winners, hence my cynical use of quotation marks) but you will never hear me sing the praises of the men and women who fought. And yes, I'm fortunate not to have been involved and I've grown up in a war-free country - that in itself does not make me grateful. I wasn't born until after the war - why should I be grateful for something, especially something so destructive, that occurred before my conception? A few weeks ago UK television was saturated with programmes about D-Day - 6th June. It did not make me feel grateful or patriotic in the least. I actually felt bloody angry that the war had occurred in the first place. What sickens me is the way war has been glorified - which is what you are doing. It is not glorious. It is violent and bloody and horrific and WRONG.
Leslie wrote: "you have to go back to where the communication breakdown or the fear began. --- Whether or not you were justified in defending yourself has nothing to do with the right/wrongness of war."That's a quite idealistic approach. Not very realistic, though. This is what I mean by having an opinion and whether or not I will respect that opinion, or more precisely, will it matter to me. As far as I know, researchers haven't yet found a point where one could say that Finland could have prevented the war if we had done that. They weren't discussions between equals, they were discussions between a giant dictatorship and a small democracy.
Trixie wrote: "I wasn't born until after the war - why should I be grateful for something, especially something so destructive, that occurred before my conception?"I could have been born in the Soviet Union, it was very close and almost a miracle that it didn't happen. That is why I am grateful. None of my family was taken to Gulag camps. I am grateful for that. Our army prevented that from happening. I know a person who hid in Finland after the war so she wouldn't be returned to the Soviet Union where her family had been persecuted. For some reason Estonians understand us, so does a young Czech student I know. They know how the life was behind the Iron Curtain. Why shouldn't I be grateful that I or my family didn't have to experience that? You don't like war but I like my life like it is now. I wouldn't have that without the wars.
Leslie wrote: "Leslie The war is over. We don't learn anything by trying to justify any of it or lay blame."The war isn't over. Just ask Estonians who still have to deal with its repercussions.
"So what. How does that help us understand and change how we resolve conflict?"
Do you know that Finland is one of the most active countries in peacekeeping? One of the reasons is that we have a conscript army so we have all kinds of professionals among the soldiers. Our own experiences in wars helps us to understand other people, too. One of the reason I would have like to have gone to an army was that I was interested in joining the peacekeeping forces, though it's quite popular and difficult to get in.
Leslie wrote: "You're right, as long as we keep focusing on winning or losing, who is to blame, "us" versus "them," and what "justifies" war, then the war is never over."Russia still claims that the Baltic countries joined the Soviet Union volunterily. They think Estonians should be grateful for them for "liberating" the country. For some people it might be difficult to understand that Estonians or other Baltic countries don't agree with that and for example don't want to have a statue reminding them of this. So you think they should just keep their mouths shut and opinions to themselves?
I can't remember what is the "official truth" now in Russia about who started the Winter War... I think Yeltsin did apologize for it but who knows what is now taught in schools. The old Soviet Union style seems to be back.
Leslie wrote: "(Peace isn't kept with tanks and guns - preventing war isn't the same as keeping peace...it's actually the same as war)"Well... you must have a better solution then if you don't agree with means used nowadays. And if you think that's war...
Sometimes having freedom means you have to defend it and by what means depends on the actions of the other party.And I think that the folks from the new world do not understand the machinations of the old world. I am old enough to be part of the cold war and its fears. Have very strong memories about being near the Wall as a young soldier and still remember the lecture we got from a season soldier that explained the numbers if the East bloc had decided to have a go at us. Very humbling and makes you wonder what one would do.
I will never deny anybody his war or history because one side is usually pulled into a conflict by another hellbent on domination albeit the Russians, Nazis, Chinese, Taliban or even the US.
Mark wrote: "Sometimes having freedom means you have to defend it and by what means depends on the actions of the other party.And I think that the folks from the new world do not understand the machinations o..."You are absolutely right.
Leslie wrote: "You're right, as long as we keep focusing on winning or losing, who is to blame, "us" versus "them," and what "justifies" war, then the war is never over."You've nailed it again, Leslie.
Tytti is convinced her viewpoint is correct - unfortunately it is this sort of rigid thinking and refusal to see things from a different angle, that can lead to conflict.
Anybody remember the Ban the Bomb demonstrations in the 1960's? Anyone remember the nationwide demonstrations in the 1990's against Blair and Bush sending troops to Iraq? Thank goodness Cameron listened to reason with regard to Syria. This does mean I do not sympathise with the millions of INNOCENT people caught up these conflicts, I do, and I'm sure the majority of people do - but fighting is not always the answer.
Those countries not involved in war at the moment have the luxury of discussion, we have the luxury of time - to discover the CAUSES leading to war, and its cause not justification that is needed. So you can go on and on ad nauseum, Tytti, about why you think Finland was right, but it actually achieves absolutely NOTHING except a feeling of self-righteousness on your part.
I have been reading the back and forth and the interesting thing is that there is common thread. I also find that there are really no winners in War, and that ultimately the people on both sides are all victims. But leaders, often act like bullies--as in the case of the Winter War. The USSR did bully Finland and it was a defensive war on Finlands side. Leslie, as Titty says, what, they just stand there and let them come in rape and plunder. It was not like little Finland wanted to fight the USSR. And as for the countries that flipped back and forth, Maria, gave the best explanation that finally applied to most of the flip floppers-- the leaders of those small countries sat at their windows, checking to see which side they were on. Its like Ireland. Ireland was at "war" with the UK, and although officially neutral, they had a relationship with Germany, albeit the horrors Germany was involved in. Sort of common enemies make strange bed partners… or something like that. And to Titty, Leslie sounds idealistic, but without idealist like us, putting pressure on world leaders, the reality would be even scarier than it is. I have learned more history in this discussions and the research it has made me do… than during my college career, where I majored in World politics. Thank you all.
how much did i miss? what war are we talking about and why?
Anamika wrote: "I'm really sorry but I CAN'T DO IT RIGHT NOW.And like I said before,if you want to talk about war,there must be other threads meant for it."why not tho.
Mark wrote: "So I am old enough to be part of the cold war and its fears. Have very strong memories about being near the Wall as a young soldier and still remember the lecture we got from a season soldier that explained the numbers if the East bloc had decided to have a go at us."My father was told in the army during the 1950s that both sides had a better information about them than the Finnish army did. Not sure was it true (there were some curious incidents...), but they were intelligence officers. When visiting the Soviet Union in the early 1980s my parents were almost arrested for taking a photo of a statue in a park, by two men demanding the camera. Makes you wonder did he have a tail... He also remembered a couple of times when he wondered whether they would be called into service (he was an elementary school teacher), in 1968 during the Prague Spring was probably one time. There were a few times when the regular army was at alert, though this was mainly done in secret and I have only read about it later.
Finland learned to live with the knowledge that if something would happen, we would be on our own again, with no help from other countries. Keeping the peace was vital for our own survival (Helsinki Accords is just one example) but it also meant that we had to have a believable defence. Also we had earned the respect of the Soviets by defending our country. The Finnish leaders knew that they had the backing of the whole nation to say 'No' when USSR made all kinds of demands in private talks.
Trixie wrote: "Those countries not involved in war at the moment have the luxury of discussion, we have the luxury of time - to discover the CAUSES leading to war, and its cause not justification that is needed."If you are saying all wars are wrong, then you are also saying that the Winter War was wrong. Are you really saying that Finland should have surrendered and it would have been better if my grandparents had been taken to Siberia or were shot in the back of the head in some mass grave? And you expect me to agree with that? Because Stalin had already formed a puppet government, the Soviet Union didn't even recognize the legal Finnish government. How do you have a discussion then?
We are not talking about the mindset of UK or US army that has the "luxury of discussion" whether to go around invading other countries. I am talking about the mindset of the people in the countries BEING invaded. They don't have that luxury because the bigger power has already decided on the war. Finns understand that because we can put ourselves in their shoes. The US politicians kept saying that the Iraqi people would surrender their arms when the coalition came. I knew that they wouldn't because I understood them and I understand what it can be like to fight for your own country.
Even if a country has internal problems, they will often unite against an outside force. Finns know this, too, because just 20 years before the Winter War there was a very bloody Civil War. But still, the sons of those men fought side-by-side, even the hardcore Communists, under a white general. One is even quoted to have said of Mannerheim that "It's a good thing the old slaughterer is still alive". I think it's you that thinks rigidly because you can only think from your own perspective that "all wars are wrong" and forget that not everyone lives in a safe neighbourhood.
Belle - welcome back - you've a lot of catching up to do ;)Anamika - talking nonsense again, as usual. No change there then. Sometimes you loose control over something you started. Surely you know that the diary you hate so much was written during the war - or didn't you know?
It's inevitable that the conversation deviates....and personally I think it has taken a really interesting turn as we can all learn something from the points made by such a varied group. It's weird how you can suddenly feel a certain kinship with people on a forum - has anybody else found that?
Anamika wrote: "Now why has the topic turned into war.Well I get it that it's because of th Anne Frank blah,blah,blah but if you want to speak about different kinds of war,I think there might be other threads meant for that.If the popcorn was real,I'd probably snatch it right now.I told I will and if you don't believe me,you know what. "
There may be other threads meant for that, but those of us hanging out in here are waiting for your eventual response to the question of "why" and are keeping occupied in the meantime. You have to realize that once you start an online thread, it may not go how you expect it to. Generally most people like to stay on topic but I think the topic at hand has been pretty much exhausted by everyone but yourself, and we're waiting on your answer when you are ready and able to give it.
I have no reason to believe or not believe you, because I don't know you. I am quite curious though as to what your reason for hating the Diary is, and there is enough fishiness for me to suspect possible trolling or social experimentation.
No disrespect meant to you, by the way. Merely curiosity.
Trixie wrote: "It's inevitable that the conversation deviates....and personally I think it has taken a really interesting turn as we can all learn something from the points made by such a varied group. It's weird how you can suddenly feel a certain kinship with people on a forum - has anybody else found that? "Exactly! I've found that many times on forums. (granted I'm not much of an active participant as much as an observer here who just has peeked in)
Mae wrote: "to Titty, Leslie sounds idealistic, but without idealist like us, putting pressure on world leaders, the reality would be even scarier than itis."
(It's Tytti, btw.) The problem with idealists is that it's easy to say that "you shouldn't do that" but then they don't have an answer or solution to what to do in return. The Winter War is a good example because it happened and also the alternative happened (in case of the Baltic countries). Finns also know firshand that talk is cheap. We did get a lot of sympathy during the Winter War but sympathy can't be turned into weapons. The League of Nations saying to USSR that "you shouldn't do that" was laughable. Also we have learnt to understand the "double-talk" that Soviets used to use. "Friendship" meant something else than in the West.
One Finnish statesman (Paasikivi) has said "The recognition of facts is the beginning of wisdom". Idealists can't always recognize the facts. I prefer to be a realist, to look at the world with all its faults. In The Quiet American there is a quote "I never knew a man who had better motives for all the trouble he caused". I think it's a good quote to remember.
I prefer this one:We know how to organize warfare, but do we know how to act when confronted with peace?
– Jacques-Yves Cousteau (1910-1997)
My answer is NO....for reasons I've already stated.
And this one:
If you want to make peace, you don’t talk to your friends. You talk to your enemies.
– Moshe Dayan (1915-1981)
@ Tytti - I'm sorry, but I will not address specifics on the war in Finland. You are still trying to provide justification for it - and you may well be right. I'm not interested in justification of something that happened years ago - it's where you go from here, and I get the feeling you prefer to live within the history of your country. I have stated my case, you have stated yours - in great detail; we are never going to agree, and so this is one conflict I withdraw from.....
Babafaba(Hypnos)((Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore))(((Scuttle)))((((Scar)))) wrote: "If you don't want us to talk about war then tell us what are we supposed to do? Just wait for your reasons?"Apparently none of us have anything else to do but wait for The Great Anamika to pull the rabbit out of her hat.....yeah, right.
I am also interested in why the 'hate'. When my kids read that diary in school, along with several other holocaust accounts, they got the attitude of 'oh no,not another holocaust story...can't we move on from that?' I wonder how the diary is presented to the younger generation. I don't think my own kids have any idea of the magnitude of the holocaust.
Anamika, this is a free thread. If you don't want us talking about war, you can delete it. You haven't added much recently to the discussion, so while we wait for your "reasons", we need something to talk about. I think there is nothing wrong with good discussion. It isn't hurting anyone.
Hey Trixie, lol. I do. :)Can someone tell me what the discussion is about because I honestly have no idea what you guys are talking about? What war is Tytti talking about?
Belle wrote: "Hey Trixie, lol. I do. :)Can someone tell me what the discussion is about because I honestly have no idea what you guys are talking about? What war is Tytti talking about?"
Hi Belle - a lot of Tytti's comments are quite complicated but she is talking at length about the Soviet invasion and the Winter War. I have to admit that I know nothing about it, but I have made my feelings about war in general known.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military...
Sorry your thread was hijacked, Anamika, and my contribution to that. I'll respect your request and refrain from off topic ("Anyone Else Hate This Diary?") discussion. As for whether or not it is okay to have off-topic discussion just because Anamika hasn't expressed her reasons yet for why she hates it - I don't think it is, since a) she has asked for -her- thread to remain on topic (more than once) and, b) the subject of her thread clearly indicates the topic she wishes to have discussed on her thread and so far it hasn't been discussed. If one doesn't hate the book, there isn't really much for them to discuss here. Anamika's delay in giving her reasons isn't a justification for hijacking the thread so that others who might wish to discuss it are put off. Afterall, the subject of the thread isn't "Do you hate the book, or not?" She is asking others if they do hate it, to share why. This doesn't really obligate her to give her reasons, particularly to those who do not hate it. As for whether her hating it is scary or disturbing. Not really. Young people hate things all the time. It's just their way of expressing, not a threat to humanity. I didn't hate it, so I've pretty much ruled out on this thread. Good luck, Anamika. Hope your studies go well.
Leslie wrote: "Sorry your thread was hijacked, Anamika, and my contribution to that. I'll respect your request and refrain from off topic ("Anyone Else Hate This Diary?") discussion. As for whether or not it is o..."If she doesn't give her reasons, how can there possibly be any discussion? I think that's the main reason why we deviated from topic, the lack of material for a proper discussion. You can only go so far on a discussion if most people agree that they do no hate the diary.
Leslie wrote: "Joana wrote: "Leslie wrote: "Sorry your thread was hijacked, Anamika, and my contribution to that. I'll respect your request and refrain from off topic ("Anyone Else Hate This Diary?") discussion. ..."I've been following this tread for a while and I really don't see those two things as mutually exclusive. As in any conversation, you can diverge from an original topic and later return to it, without loss in content. In fact, I've learned more from the deviations here than from the non-existent discussion on the original topic. I respect your opinion and your support of our mistress of suspense, but I really can't be against anything that allows for a chance to learn.
I would wholeheartedly support her deleting all of the off-topic posts if that is what it takes to maintain some etiquette on the threads, which I would not want to see made into a free-for-all just because "we can". That's called "being a troll".
Leslie wrote: "I would wholeheartedly support her deleting all of the off-topic posts if that is what it takes to maintain some etiquette on the threads, which I would not want to see made into a free-for-all jus..."Since the discussion I've witnessed has remained more or less within the topic of WWII, its consequences or parallelisms to better understand it, I wouldn't say that any post so far has breached etiquette or classifies as trolling. That being said, each person can delete his/her own posts and I'm a firm believer in leading by example :)
Leslie wrote: "Joana wrote: "Leslie wrote: "Joana wrote: "Leslie wrote: "Sorry your thread was hijacked, Anamika, and my contribution to that. I'll respect your request and refrain from off topic ("Anyone Else Ha..."Ah, but you see, this was such a great conversation because it was unpredictable, I don't think anyone came here expecting to have discussed what has been discussed, and that would have made the creation of a new tread impossible.
I see it more as guest talking amongst themselves while the hostess has stepped out of the venue for a non-disclosed reason. In this case, I would consider it rude of the guests to leave without goodbyes or justifications and quiet discussion doesn't really cause any harm.
Shall we leave it here and agree to disagree? I'd hate to make a hypocrite out of you.
@Trixie totally agree with you on many things. I feel like I know you guys, in fact I have kept my family abreast of the discussions, they know Belle, Trixie, Maria, of course Anamika, Tytti (sorry for misspelling I had such a good track record… 6 times correctly and once wrong, you see in spanish both i and y sound the same) and the person with the really lone harry potter name. @anamika, "the Anne Frank blah blah blah" when I first read this I chose to ignore it, but I wouldn't be so proud as to repeat this.
We could talk now about how, we are free to kidnap the thread until Anamika posts her reasons. My son has another theory-- Anamika is a brilliantly precocious 8 years old girl.
Trixie wrote: "Babafaba(Hypnos)((Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore))(((Scuttle)))((((Scar)))) wrote: "If you don't want us to talk about war then tell us what are we supposed to do? Just wait for your reaso..." @person with really long Harry Potter name… yep, nothing better to do than wait for Anamika. How did you figure that one out? Actually its been fascinating and enjoy your snarky little comments ( and I am not being sarcastic). There are so many different readers involved in this discussion. And I mean, ages, nationalities, interests. I think that is what is making this discussion pertinent, and why I am still here. Roasted almonds anyone?
Karen wrote: "I am also interested in why the 'hate'. When my kids read that diary in school, along with several other holocaust accounts, they got the attitude of 'oh no,not another holocaust story...can't we m..." This is a very interesting point. Unless you are jewish or a member of a group or nationality that has been oppressed, kids this days can't even conceive the Holocaust, hence the "another holocaust story" attitude. As a religious education teacher, we taught a lesson about religious persecution and many of the kids had no idea about what was "the holocaust". I wrote a letter to the parents about this.
@Anamika, i just reread your opening post. What are you researching about? I am sure, we could help if you explained what is your book research about.
This thread has not been hijacked, it has followed its natural meandering course. If we had ended up talking about something totally unrelated to the opening comment, say, the building of the pyramids, or alligator breeding, then yes, I'd say we'd veered off track, and I'd try to wrestle it back, but discussing war is definitely relevant - without it we would never have had Anne Frank's diary.....The very nature of forum discussions is that they develop a life of their own, whether the person who started it likes it or not - c'est la vie. Ever been with a group of people when one of them starts a conversation, then everyone joins in and eventually it takes off in a different direction? Say Hello to Forums, Anamika.
The thread is in the public domain, and although we all know who started it, the only way that person can put a halt to it is to either divulge The Reason or delete the whole thing. It would be a shame to do the latter as we're all holding our breath here..... ;)
all discussions on this book
|
post a new topic
Born a Soldier: The Times and Life of Larry Thorne (other topics)
Mannerheim: President, Soldier, Spy (other topics)
The Winter War (other topics)
The Quiet American (other topics)
More...
Books mentioned in this topic
The Diary of Mary Berg: Growing up in the Warsaw Ghetto (other topics)Born a Soldier: The Times and Life of Larry Thorne (other topics)
Mannerheim: President, Soldier, Spy (other topics)
The Winter War (other topics)
The Quiet American (other topics)
More...
I loath violence. But what is the solution? I guess, I would consider defending my home, I could not attack another country.
Kettle Corn anyone?