First I'd like to compliment the list members for being civil despite
sometimes opposite opinions. Most lists seems to digress to name calling and
flames towards each other. I have always enjoyed talking about politics and
world affairs -

The incident you allude to - the soldiers deciding on their own to celebrate
Christmas in peace - I believe was between a German & British unit in WW1. I
have a great uncle who died in WW1 - a week before armistice - and the
letters he wrote all mentioned the mud, rats, and death.

During our Civil War, it wasn't uncommon for the blue and the gray to stop
and trade tobacco and food.

While I was in the Army I also consider myself fortunate in not having to
experience combat. But those who have, maintain that you are not fighting
for God, country and moral righteousness, but for your other friends in your
unit.

It's certainly beyond my ability in a post to give the reason for wars -
perhaps it is the nature of man. As long as there is a greed and lust for
power and control over things and other people. But I would also maintain
that there are just wars - and unjust wars.

Bull

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