Tues 11/24- "Platoon" (1986) directed by Oliver Stone: Please read the entire blog post carefully before composing your responses.

11/23/2015

Just as Chris and the platoon are divided between Elias and Barnes, viewers also feel somewhat divided. You feel compelled to side with Elias because he is jaded and righteous and seems to care about his men, but you can't help but admire Barnes' hardiness, his determination to win the war, and ability to survive. After our class discussion about allegory, the Christ figure and Machiavelli, as well as the inability of humans to be purely good or evil, you understand that this is a decision that is not as easy as one might hope.

Imagine that you are a soldier in this platoon. Who do you follow, Sgt. Barnes or Sgt. Elias? Take into consideration all factors: survival, morality, reality of the war environment, psychological effects of the war, constant extreme stress, and any other factors that would affect your decision. Explain your decision in a thoughtful and well supported blog entry.

Primary Blog Entry Expectations (respond to the prompt above): 200-250 words, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. Please use the assigned "pen name" given to you in class. Please complete this in the first 20 minutes of class.

Secondary Blog Entry Expectations (read everyone's first responses, select two that interest you, and respond to their ideas): 100-150 words EACH, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. Please use the assigned "pen name" given to you in class. Please complete this in the last 25 minutes of class.

PLEASE ADD WORD COUNT AT END OF EACH BLOG ENTRY!

You have ample time to complete these three entries in one period. If you do not, you may complete it as homework, but the blog post will be closed at the end of the day.

Richard Winters

11/24/2015 09:30:59 am

If I was a soldier in the platoon I would have to follow Sgt. Elias because my heart wouldn't allow me to follow Sgt. Barnes. What Barnes stands for is completely opposite of Elias and I couldn't agree with Elias anymore than I already do. Elias believes right should always come first. He strongly agrees with what's right is right and what's wrong is wrong.

Jesse Brown

11/24/2015 09:47:05 am

I agree with this because sgt.Elias has a purpose he knows what he want to do and what he doesn't want to do even if it does cause him is life in war. Elias has a positive and honest outlook on life, he wants to live a honest life without having to do anything to affect his beliefs.

Doris Miller

11/24/2015 09:35:16 am

I would choose Sgt. Elias to follow. I would follow him because he care about his men, he's not just using them as weapons or tools. I feel that Elias can help me keep sane or help me to het through the war. He might not have the attributes as Barnes but he has one of the most Important attribute that Barnes doesn't have, which is the ability to calm a person down and make them forget about what's happening. Also Sgt. Elias wouldn't mind protecting his men with his life. He even has more experience in the war than most people so he still has the knowledge to how to survive and get through.

11/24/2015 09:41:53 am

I agree with the sanity part of this response because it would be important to keep your head straight so you can stay on your tens and twos. Also if anything he could give you guidance as you said because of his experience and all that he has seen and knows about war. Good guidance is, without debate, better than bad.

Chief red Cloud

11/24/2015 09:48:33 am

you right Bro, I like your Ideas because Sgt Elias might have been more experience in the war than Sgt Barnes and he might have known the strategies to come out of the war alive. so following Sgt Elias is a great way to learn the skills he use to survive in the war and also gain more experience just as Sgt Elias.

11/24/2015 09:53:50 am

I think that this is a good response and I agree with it. Barnes do not care about anyone else but himself and that's completely opposite than sgt.Elias, he cares about everyone and will protect them in the time of need, he isn't all focused on power. He has a pure heart and cares about all of his men in the war.

Chief Red Cloud

11/24/2015 09:41:02 am

I will side up with Sgt Elias because he cares about the survivor of his men and doesn't mind how the war will end. he thinks that a war should be won far and squared and doesn't think of taking advantages of any shortcut opportunity to win the war. Sgt Elias is someone who knows what's right and wrong and he's responsible for whatever will happen to him due to his decision.

11/24/2015 09:42:08 am

If I was in the war I would follow sgt.Elias. I would follow him because even though Barnes can survive in the war and protect me from getting killed and live longer, I wouldn't want to give up who I am as a person. The way I choose to carry myself in a honest and trust worthy way. Sgt.Elias does this even though he has the power to control and walk over everyone in any way he wants without getting caught. This is what Barnes do, he abuses his power without any remorse. these are the reasons I would follow Elias because he doesn't make the bad decisions and give up his self and who he is as a person to win. I wouldn't follow Barnes in the war because if he can betray Elias by shooting him and killing him in the war for power he will do the same to anyone else. Barnes has no sympathy and will do anything to survive, meaning that he will kill me the same way he killed Elias, if I need his help in war he will not risk himself to save me. Sgt.Elias is someone who would protect his men's at war and wants them to come out of the war alive to there families. Sgt.Elias is more of a leader than Barnes, even though he didn't have that vocal power over the guys.

Nathan Hale

11/24/2015 09:54:21 am

I think saying that Barnes can help you survive longer than Elias can is a far stretch. Elias would sacrifice himself for his men while Barnes would not. Barnes would rather “follow orders” before he took the extra step to ensure their safety and walk them straight into a death trap. Everything else you stated I completely agree with. I agree with the statement that he would help keep you grounded to who you are. I also agree with the statement that Barnes would turn on you and Elias never would. Who needs to watch their back with their platoon when their always watching their back with gooks.

Matt Axelson

11/24/2015 09:44:25 am

In this war, I would have to side with Sgt. Barnes. Despite his unethical and wrongful decisions to kill innocent people; His main goal was to win the war and to survive. He wasn't there to be a hero to all of his men and he made it pretty clear that it was every man for themselves. Just like all of the other men he knew that he needed to survive and he was going to do anything he needed in order to do so. Some people, like myself, would see his determination to win the war they key in making him a good leader because he was fighting for our country. Although Sgt, Elias had better intentions for his men and wanted to do the right thing, this made him weak. Sgt. Barnes was looking at the war in a realistic manner. The reality was that they needed to win and to survive. Realizing this made him a stronger leader. I would want to make my country proud and return safely to my family and everyday life so Sgt. Barnes would be the better option for me even though I admire Sgt. Elias' jaded and righteous outlook on things. Sometimes you have to sacrifice a couple of lives in order to save a million more.
Word Count: 216.

11/24/2015 09:45:15 am

If I was a soldier in the platoon I would side with Sgt. Elias. While Elias may seem weaker than Sgt. Barnes, morally Elias triumphs. Elias would lay his life down for his men a million times before Barnes would. Just for the sole reason that I am a firm believer in standing up for what you know is right, I know that Barnes and I would get along well. In the war there are a lot of lost soldiers that sometimes forget what is right and what is wrong. Many of the men who followed Barnes had clear signs of PTSD and regrets. When following Elias I know that after the war I would have PTSD, killing someone takes a lot out of you, but I know that I would have no regrets. I know that Elias would remind me what’s right and what’s wrong if I got lost. Making an easier recovery for me and my family. Siding with Elias would also be beneficial because, I’d know that he’d never turn on me or stab me in the back. I wouldn’t have to worry about watching my back with Elias, as I would with Barnes. I know that Elias would never send me into the field if he knew I wasn’t prepared for a certain mission. Elias would ensure we had proper training, proper state of mind, and proper morals. Making the war less harsh on the mind of soldiers.

George Custer

11/24/2015 09:51:33 am

I agree with Nathan Hale because in the end, morally Sgt. Elias triumphs. He would do anything to protect his men. There is no price for loyalty. I also agree about the fact me and Sgt. Barnes wouldn't get along at all. I find it interesting how we both believe in standing up for what we believe in and not letting anything get in the way of that. Like I mentioned in my entry, I wouldn't feel comfortable with Sgt. Barnes being my leader because I feel like he would betray me if I mess up or do something he does not like. I would live with the constant stress and probably die from it. I do believe just like Nathan Hale that Sgt. Elias will make the post war experience better and less harsh in the mind for the soldiers. - George Custer

Chris Kyle

11/24/2015 09:45:21 am

If I was a soldier, I would choose Sgt. Elias because he has more experience with the war, rather than the others. Also, he's not inconsiderate at all. He makes sure to check up on his others and keep them secure. Sgt. Elias is the type to help his soldiers face the war, and sacrificing to make sure that they are safe.

11/24/2015 09:45:36 am

If I were a soldier in this war, I would definitely be on Sgt. Elias side. I would choose to be on his side because even though Sgt. Barnes is war ready and determined to win, he doesn't have loyalty and it would be hard to trust him. He's the kind that will do anything to keep his "bad man" image. Sgt. Elias isn't a wimp either. He went out to take the Vietnamese men on his own and watched the flank. He was successful until Sgt. Barnes shot him. Sgt. Elias thinks through his decisions thoroughly and protected his men at all costs. No matter what the situation. My morality would also be a big factor why I go with Sgt. Elias. He does things the right way. No matter what the outcome can be. Besides, Sgt. Barnes is just out there to fight, while his men weren't all that prepared. Unlike Sgt. Elias's soldiers. I would be way too stressed if I were Sgt. Barnes soldier. The constant violence even before attack would drive me crazy. I would feel depressed and probably turn to violence as a relief. Sgt. Elias uses strategy while Sgt. Barnes treats it like a free for all.

Geronimo

11/24/2015 09:51:02 am

If I were I soldier in the Vietnam War, I would follow Sgt. Elias because of his morals, beliefs and his love and respect for the other soldiers even though he didn’t know them personally, he still felt the need and right to protect and care of them in the best way possible, unlike Sgt. Barnes who didn’t really care about anybody expect himself. Even though Sgt. Barnes had very good intentions and bravery for this war he still had a sense of hatred for the other soldiers and Sgt. Elias he even made and the war all about him and how he could win this war without been told what to do and how to do it. Sgt. Elias also wanted to win this war but they both had different ways.
The reason why I chose Sgt. Elias was because of how he carried himself throughout the war, exactly like how Jesus also did when he came to earth. He sacrifices himself to protect his men, and nation as a whole and all through that Sgt. Barnes felt the need to kill him. And I also admire his Christ like figure because I am also a believer and a Catholic so his behavior and morals are similar to that of Jesus himself

Kit Carson

11/24/2015 09:51:14 am

I would take Sgt. Elias side because he cared about his men. If you care about your men and guide them correctly through the battle the more likely you are to win. I feel like being evil doesn't make anything better. As you can see evil doing has caused the two parties to separate. I'm the type of person if I see a family stuck in war, even if they're not from our country, I would help bring them to peace. I would never think its right to just kill a family or burn their houses down etc..... I understand what type of war the Vietnam war was but, sometimes you've got to realize the bigger picture of things. It is brutal and all, but save that for the fighting, not poor innocent families. If I were to get into a fight with one of my men, I would be glad to make peace with them after because the main focus should be is to conquer our opponents and make it back home with everyone you can. I would also assume that Sgt. Barnes isn't a good person by the way he acts, and not to mention how he said He swears to God that he'll kill Sgt. Elias.

Cheif Joseph

11/24/2015 09:53:26 am

If I were a soldier in this platoon I would choose to follow Sgt. Elias. I would choose him because while he still cares about winning the war, he also cares about his men and their safety. Sgt. Elias would put himself at risk for his men in a heartbeat, while Sgt. Barnes would just not care. Although Sgt. Barnes is “prone” to survive anything, Sgt. Elias wouldn’t mind dying for his men. I have more respect for Sgt. Elias because of the way he carries himself as a person. He has more respect for others in this war than Sgt. Barnes does. Both Sgt. Barnes and Sgt. Elias are strong fighters in this war and Sgt. Barnes does show a lot of determination to win, but Sgt. Elias also has determination to win and has respect for his men which is a lot more valuable for me.

11/26/2015 08:00:17 pm

I agree with you chief, even though both Elias and Barnes might have been more experience in the war than any of their Soldiers. they must be patience in teaching the upcoming soldiers who aren't familiar with the life style of a soldier and also how to survive in a war. so teaching these soldiers life style in the war will help them know how to deal with situations in the war and the person who i think is trying to help these upcoming Soldiers how to deal with the war situation is Elias. Sgt Elias might not be as powerful as Sgt Barnes, but he cares more of the survive of his men and i think i will side up with even though we make it alive in this war depend on our instinct.

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