Song lyric philosophy vol. 2

[whiteypoker]

Why don't presidents fight the war?
Why do they always send the poor?

Song lyrics from System of a Down. Legitamate questions? Any good answers?

[Excel Zero]

What are you asking?

I mean we aren't going on with religious or political discussions for the time being. So when you say legitimate questions what are you asking?

End of line

Excel

[Doot]

I concur.

There's a fine line here waiting to be broken and as for the moment we are still swayed away from politics then we may as well keep it at that.

Note: This Thread is under Mod Watch.

[Silver Adept]

I'm not sure how to avoid the verboten material, but I'll try.

According to Marxist-Leninist Socialism as I understand it, the state apparatus does not engage in warfare itself because it does not have the manpower to fight it effectively. Only by utilizing the greater masses can a state apparatus engage in warfare. The poor are usually tempted by the State's offer of rewards for those lucky enough to survive long enough or are coerced by the state into fighting the war for them. Often, they are presented by the somewhat false statement that tehy don't have anything to lose, so they may as well risk their lives for the hope of a potential reward.

By keeping the populace ignorant of their true ability to refuse to fight, the state is then able to direct the populace into fighting their conflicts for them.

(Good? Or over the line?)

[Andsectoid]

[Tobias]

Personally listening, i think it asks the question "Why don't presidents go and fight on the war-front and instead dance around the current issues at hand" and "instead of fighting, they send the poor to do their fighting."

I know i probably crossed that line right there, but I'm a big system of a down fan, and i know they are very political around this time. Just listen to the song Boom!, and you'll see it.

See also: A.D.D.
See also: Cigaro
See also: Sad Statue
See also: F**k the system
See also: Prison Song
And others....

Sorry for ruining it for everyone...but there is no real way to sidestep politics, and i figured that this thread won't get very far...so might as well say what i "think" is on everyone's minds.

Sorry everybody

*explodes*

[whiteypoker]

I disagree...you were able to sidestep political positions quite nicely and took the thread in the direction I had hoped it would travel.

Here is the answer under an economic structure.

Presidents don't fight wars because they, most typically, inefficient fighters. Presidents have political experience while soldiers have military training. I liken the question to something along the lines of, "why don't you dispose of your own garbage?" I probably could, but my skills as a carpenter, doctor, or cable guy would be wasted because I am not as efficient a garbage disposer as my trash man.

Why do they always send the poor? The poor are not send by the "they" organization by design. The poor, more or less, naturally select themselves for service. Because they offer few services that society values, and thereby awarded low wages, they find the armed services attractive because national security turns out to be a service the nation does value, and thereby provides a level of compensation above and beyond their alternative.

Conclusion...While the song BYOB is entertaining and, on an artistic level, enjoyable, System of a Down are idiots and very poor observationists. Their questions use logic such as (exagerated to show purpose, but otherwise useful) "Why don't you fly your own plane and take your life into your own hands?" and, "Why do they only let people fly planes who make a six figure income?"

[Shino]

I think you and tobs are both right.

I also think that presidents are too damn old to fight in a war. I think SOTD knows this and were trying to get the point Tobs made accross.

I also thing that your OPINION is that they are idiots and poor observationists as there are people that think like Tobs does. So you should try to state your opinion as opinion as opposed being so frank about it trying to make it sound like fact.

I also think the next song lyric better NOT have to do with politics, since it is a known fact around this community that you enjoy getting into political arguments, and they always get way to heated.

In conclusion...

ummm nothing...

Next lyric to lighten the mood is one that doesn't need to be discussed, just listened to...

"You can live your life doing nothing but expecting,
But remember that the future is created in the present"
--Shootyz Groove

[Hoth]

Okay did this lyric thread ever take a 180.. Is this a place where we ponder of the lyrics to a song. Well here is a line or two of a song I want you to ponder over!!!


"A guilty stain I've left on these days
A flower dies with too much sun
A guilty stain with roots in pain
So now I'm back to one

Drain, wither me down
Destined to fail
Get up just to fall down"

Subject2Change

[Doot]

Or maybe the words simply mean "why any situation has to escalate to that of war". One would think a president of ANY nation would be in that position due to his/her ability to think rationally and be able to handle conflict more humanely.

Either way, when you are talking economics it inevitably leads to government situations leading to politics. And if you read further into thier lyrics it is a politically saturated song. So close to that thin line that I just feel there would be other lyrics out there with more poignant that don't get uncomfortable close to that line.

Maybe we should focus on those.