Letters to the Editor
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War as Spectator Sport
Does anyone else notice how most of these geeks came of age during the rise of the video game? The kind of upper-middle class kids who most likely sat glued in front of video screens 25 years ago, with cheetohs crumbs on their shirts, taunted at school for being pussys and weaklings, finally able to scream “Got em!” and “Bring ‘em on!” at the video screen. And with a pathetic fist in the air to simulate bravado!
It’s no wonder they view the lives lost in Iraq as insignificant. "Iraqis die. Americans die. That’s the price you pay in war!" And as every rich, white suburban kid knows there are ALWAYS more quarters in their pockets to keep on playing.
The detached reality of these fake “Warriors” is no different than children getting lost in a game world of make believe “battles” and “victories”. And as with video games, there’s no actual sacrifice and bravery involved. It’s all just a game.