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sarisataka

(22,657 posts)

13. It may be from the Onion

Wed Jan 23, 2013, 08:33 PM

Jan 2013

but child soldiers are no joke. It is estimated in 2007 that there were 200,000 to 300,000 children under the age of fifteen who were fighting as active combatants in wars.
Groups who use young children find them to be among their most effective troops. Opposing forces often hesitate to fire back at children and given the psychological development, the children cannot grasp their own mortality so are among the most fearless on the battle field. They are also known to be the most ruthless not stopping until every opponent is dead.

I see no humor in these photos, just some of the lowest depravity of the human race.

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8 INSANELY CUTE Child Soldiers [View all] Courtesy Flush Jan 2013 OP

omg Liberal_in_LA Jan 2013 #1

The RUF in Sierra Leone was well known for recruiting children nick of time Jan 2013 #2

You do know that these children don't just sign up to fight for fun and games? notadmblnd Jan 2013 #3

Did you notice the link? Arctic Dave Jan 2013 #5

Just because it's the Onion, doesn't mean it is funny. notadmblnd Jan 2013 #9

The Onion stopped being just about humour awhile ago Posteritatis Jan 2013 #12

Uncomfortable in what way? notadmblnd Jan 2013 #15

Your reaction's probably not far off from the intent, actually Posteritatis Jan 2013 #19

Thank you for explaining The Onions attitude towards this subject notadmblnd Jan 2013 #25

When the Onion does this type of satire it reminds me of National Lampoon's deutsey Jan 2013 #29

I'm pretty sure they're incredibly aware of it and framed it this way to spread that around Posteritatis Jan 2013 #33

I know others aren't aware. It was the point of my question to the OP notadmblnd Jan 2013 #37

Satire has been used to make political statements since, oh, about 2500 BC. kestrel91316 Jan 2013 #20

I was not being nasty and my head is not buried in the sand notadmblnd Jan 2013 #23

If someone has to explain to you The Onion's raison d'etre.... OldDem2012 Jan 2013 #24

That's why I'm asking someone to explain it notadmblnd Jan 2013 #28

How many more explanations do you need? Posters in this thread have repeatedly tried to explain.... OldDem2012 Jan 2013 #31

It isn't supposed to be funny, it's satire obamanut2012 Jan 2013 #26

You are missing the point. n-t Logical Jan 2013 #14

please, tell me what the point is. notadmblnd Jan 2013 #18

Step One: Grasp stick firmly Jeff In Milwaukee Jan 2013 #32

Really, that is what you had to say? notadmblnd Jan 2013 #34

Yep. That is what I had to say. Jeff In Milwaukee Jan 2013 #35

father of my friend's son was from Guatemala. He was taken by guerillas around age 9. KittyWampus Jan 2013 #4

OMG...I am SOOOO Glad this is The Onion joeybee12 Jan 2013 #6

The Onion's got some fangs lately, even by their own standards. Posteritatis Jan 2013 #7

My fav ... GeorgeGist Jan 2013 #8

All the more horrifying to those of us who have 'been there, done that' pinboy3niner Jan 2013 #10

You might be interested in this memoir from a child soldier who survived derby378 Jan 2013 #11

He was on The Daily Show a couple of years ago. Brigid Jan 2013 #17

My grandfather was a child soldier Alameda Jan 2013 #22

It may be from the Onion sarisataka Jan 2013 #13

And that, ultimately, is the point of this satirical piece. kestrel91316 Jan 2013 #21

+1 deutsey Jan 2013 #30

As a combat vet, seeing children sent to war just breaks my heart. :cry: pinboy3niner Jan 2013 #16

I think this may be the first time I found The Onion to be un-funny. ellisonz Jan 2013 #36

the really sad thing is if they were all ten years older and americans CBGLuthier Jan 2013 #27