Florida teen skips school, sneaks to Iraq

[badass]

The argument concerning the fact that he could've died is stupid. He was willing to risk his life to be able to write about Iraq after getting a deeper and more personal understanding of the situation there. It doesn't matter what could've happened, it didn't. All the (should've, would've, could've, etc.) bullshit is unimportant. After all is said and done, he accomplished his goal.

[Kraco]

Originally posted by: badass
The argument concerning the fact that he could've died is stupid. He was willing to risk his life to be able to write about Iraq after getting a deeper and more personal understanding of the situation there. It doesn't matter what could've happened, it didn't. All the (should've, would've, could've, etc.) bullshit is unimportant. After all is said and done, he accomplished his goal.

The 'should've, would've, could've' are relevant in general sense. It's obvious this kid didn't die, but if you take 100 kids and send them to a similar trip, many of them would be statistically likely to come back feet first in aluminum coffins. Would that be an acceptable price for a school paper?

Though it has to be remembered that throughout the history there have been individuals who have been joyously ready to risk their lives for endeavours that, back then, seemed utterly stupid for the general audience. Without these men (and women), we wouldn't have many great technological inventions or many parts of the world would have remained uncharted for far longer times. But not all of these adventures were intelligent or succesful, of course. So, these people are needed, but the continuation of our species requires they are the minority.

[badass]

Originally posted by: Kraco
The 'should've, would've, could've' are relevant in general sense. It's obvious this kid didn't die, but if you take 100 kids and send them to a similar trip, many of them would be statistically likely to come back feet first in aluminum coffins. Would that be an acceptable price for a school paper?

100 kids didn't go on the trip, just Hassan did. That's what should be the point of the discussion. Like I said, I don't care about what would've or could've happened, I care about what did happen.