War is Hell, and you cannot refine it.
Sherman had it right. Even the most moral war is a sewer, but it does not negate the need to fight and win wars.
I'm afraid that if the politicians and opinion makers (elected officials and the MSM) had relatives at the "sharp end" the net result would be zero, or close to it.
Perhaps if we pursued the author's line of thought to the point where only combat vets could make policy on combat there would be a change.
My father, a WWII infantry vet, darkly told me before I deployed in the WOT that I should do whatever I had to do to return alive, but measure my actions by the simple idea that I had to live with whatever I did or I was better off dead and honored. I thought he was being melodramatic, I know now that he was merely stating the obvious.
"I'm afraid that if the politicians and opinion makers (elected officials and the MSM) had relatives at the "sharp end" the net result would be zero, or close to it."
the columnist did seem influenced by the fact that his own son has served. maybe its a start. keeping the interests of the "elites" in alignment with the average citizen when called upon to go to war through service of their own close relatives might be one of the more important democratic protections that could be implemented. the question then would be whether to support such a policy through social pressure or a draft.
one would not want to go overboard in saying there could never be criticism of how a war is conducted unless they had a close relative involved. also, i don't know that he was necessarily saying it would influence whether a close relative is for or against a war, but that it does reduce patronizing attitudes, which itself would be a big relief, and creates the political pressure to ensure the troops get everything they need.
thank you for your service.