For this week’s weekend-engagement topic I chose The Death Dilemma. The dilemma caused by this was that my country is at war, and I am captured. The enemy tells me to execute one of my compatriots for spying or they will execute me immediately.
What do I do and why?
First, let us just admit that this would be one big shit sandwich to eat for anyone. Next, drop the bravado, because until someone is faced with this situation, we really don’t know how you will react. We can only hope you will do the right thing based on our values and beliefs.
Since this dilemma is in a war setting, the military, something I am very famaliar with, then dealing with thi situation comes down to falling back on my training. And as an American, that training tells me that as a captive I would need to follow the Articles of the Code of Conduct for the United States Armed Forces.
For me the foundation of this entire dilemma starts with the first article of the code. So as a member of my country's armed forces, and using my code of conduct, I am required to be prepared to give my life in the defense of my country to begin with.
As we continue through the article of the code, we come to the third article. If I accepted the dilemma as presented, I would essentially give up. There can sometimes be an out to situations like the one presented when someone is resourceful and motivated. I would continue to resist by all means possible until there were no other possibilities.
Working to the fourth article we learn that we have to keep faith with fellow prisoners. I don’t think executing them is keeping good faith. It also goes on to state that you should not take any action that would be harmful to your comrades. Well, putting a bullet in their head can definitely bring lots of harm.
Article five talks about giving oral or written statements disloyal to the country and its allies or harmful to their cause. I believe executing your compatriot who is falsely accused of spying would be making one hell of a harmful statement.
Finally, I make the final decision to take the bullet because article six tells me that I am to never forget that as an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.
…and that the hammer of hell and steel rain will fall on these assholes sooner or later!
Source Note: Image is mine and was originally taken with a Nikon Nikonos IV or V if I recall correctly. I could not scan it, so retook a photo of it using my iPhone.
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