this post was submitted on 13 Aug 2023
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[–] Plaid_Kaleidoscope@lemmy.world 239 points 1 year ago (6 children)

On one hand, I absolutely agree with this. It's human nature to want to avoid such a fate if one can reasonably avoid it. If I had the money and could buy my way out of participation in a fucking war...I'd hate to think that I wouldn't.

I know it's their home and things like that...but not everyone cares about those sorts of ties, and they become even less meaningful in death. I'm not saying I condone their actions, just that I understand.

[–] PugJesus@kbin.social 181 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I mean, I have some sympathy for the ones giving the bribes. No sympathy for the ones taking the bribes who are being charged.

[–] Plaid_Kaleidoscope@lemmy.world 30 points 1 year ago

For sure, that's what I was commenting on. Can't speak at all for the one's accepting the bribes, knowing what it means for their fellow soldiers.

[–] vacuumflower@lemmy.sdf.org 32 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Trust me, you'll find an official to bribe in such a situation in Eastern Europe. This is a PR move, to arrest some from time to time and show that in the news. Happens regularly.

[–] uncle_bagel@lemmy.world 47 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Doesnt have to be Eastern Europe. Plenty of examples of rich people finding ways for their kids to avaoid the draft during Vietnam and WWII in the US.

[–] UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world 25 points 1 year ago (1 children)

My dad got out of Vietnam (unwittingly) when my grandparents paid the doctor to give him a bad medical evaluation. He was all hyped to go, only to discover he had... I want to say it was flat feet or something? Basically "you're no good at marching so you won't war good".

Stayed in college, got his masters and then his PhD, then went on to work for a major energy company and move out to the suburbs and live the good life into his golden years. A couple of his high school buddies went and got killed - one in a helicopter crash and another after stepping on a landmine.

When 9/11 happened and I was ready to enlist, he grabbed me by the shoulder and explained the best thing his parents ever did for him was keeping him out of the war.

I only wish every parent had this conversation with their kids. The world would be a better place.

[–] FlashMobOfOne@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year ago

Really glad to hear your grandparents had some sense.

US war fever is stupid.

[–] vacuumflower@lemmy.sdf.org 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

It's not about rich, it's about rather middle class people somehow allocating a sum to bribe a military commissariat. See the article with 10k$ - it's a lot in Ukraine, yes, but not what the size of such a bribe would be if only rich people would be doing that.

[–] Phrodo_00@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I don't understand this comment. Are you saying it's only fine to dodge the draft when rock people do it?

[–] vacuumflower@lemmy.sdf.org 3 points 1 year ago

I'm saying that this is very common in Eastern Europe. It's not something only rich people do. Not that it's fine or not.

[–] Draedron@lemmy.dbzer0.com 25 points 1 year ago

I would definitely try to get out too. Either by bribes or just fleeing

[–] whispering_depths@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago

Ultimately human conflict is meaningless and there's a non zero chance that you'll be immortal if you survive the next ten years.