action ; library

[oversees.livejournal.com]

[Old habits never die hard. Despite the fact that it's been years since he spent hours poring over book in the library, trying to learn every bit of information he could possibly need to know for that upcoming exam, the feeling naturally returns. It's a comfort to him, being able to adjust to his old learning habits just like that. Granted, Percy's never actually taught a class, but he's confident in his experience - his old Professors have been more than adept at indicating behaviors and mannerisms expected from his students.


With two classes to teach (relatively interesting ones too, he supposes), Percy's scrambling away, trying to adjust to a lesson plan that hopefully will touch upon all the necessary information and engage students in taking a more political approach instead of well... an aggressive one. So Percy's in the library, browsing through the history section for perfect examples to lead the class.]

Another country destroyed by intense warfare. How am I supposed to promote a peaceful solution when there's nothing but constant aggression?

[OOC: Backdated to just before classes began?]

Comments

[fierybluebird]

Peace isn't possible so long as even one party involved doesn't want it.

[oversees.livejournal.com]

[Percy looks up, completely caught off guard. Had he really been that immersed in this?]

But one can avoid the casualties, correct? A suitable trial would avoid any and all issues if there is diplomacy at hand.

[fierybluebird]

[Snorts.] You think so? If anything, that just backs the side on trial more into a corner to defend themselves.

[oversees.livejournal.com]

Of course. War is an entirely unnecessary option. Even more so when a threat is perceived exaggerated.

[Clearly he thinks you're delusional if you're in favor of this.]

[ossutamente.livejournal.com]

Lie. [Nope, he's not going to add to that unless asked.]

[oversees.livejournal.com]

Lie? About what, exactly? [Been there, done that. But he's curious as to why others are promoting the same exact belief.]

[ossutamente.livejournal.com]

How peace can work. [He may be a bit young to be this cynical, but oh well.]

[oversees.livejournal.com]

Except it does work. It works rather well in keeping everyone safe, regardless of people who seek to maintain peace through enforcing an act of war.

[focusedfate.livejournal.com]

I am of the belief that peace must be a mutual desire for a peaceful solution to work. There are ways to avoid aggression, but I would not say that all are more desirable than outright war.

[oversees.livejournal.com]

And why not exactly? You'd rather risk causalities and civilian deaths for outright war?

[focusedfate.livejournal.com]

Have you considered a situation in which the leaders capitulate to save their own skin, creating a "peace" in which others must suffer as a consequence? Death, disease, starvation, torture--all for a solution labeled as "peaceful" by their leaders.

[oversees.livejournal.com]

[Huh.]

Honestly, no, I hadn't. [He's a little resentful at that, catching him off guard with a comment that Percy really should have been aware of.]

I've honestly never encountered such a problem, due to the fact that history has taught us to consider civilians. Such a surrender is in fact a luxury most shouldn't deal with.

[eggplantallergy]

You may have to show them the benefits, and consequences, of peace and war, respectively.

[This sort of topic is all too familiar to him.]

[oversees.livejournal.com]

And what benefits of war are there exactly?

[eggplantallergy]

I did say respectively. The consequences of war would be death, illnesses of all sorts, irreparable damage to the human spirit and society.

There aren't benefits to war, besides seeing just how savage it can be.

[Sits across from him with a few books of his own.]

[oversees.livejournal.com]

I'm well aware of the consequences myself. The issue I'm still struggling with however, is the promotion of such an action.

Perhaps it might be better to omit any discussion on engaging in such tactics.... [With that, he goes back to a book, presumably to look up relevant information to support that argument.]

[flirtninja.livejournal.com]

Some conflicts can't be resolved peacefully. Some shouldn't.

[Edge, having wandered through in search of something worth reading, apparently feels obligated to offer his bigmouth opinion.]

[oversees.livejournal.com]

And which ones shouldn't?

[As intrusive as that sounds, he's genuinely curious.]

[flirtninja.livejournal.com]

Ones against evil, of course. Not 'he's evil because he wants what I've got' evil, I mean the cursed-soul force-of-darkness utterly-evil evil.

[oversees.livejournal.com]

[Percy doesn't reply for a moment, thinking.]

What if you believe it to be a perceived threat? There are several who honestly believe that a certain.... Dark Lord has returned, but without evidence to the contrary, you'd risk engaging in conflict?

[xwheresmacrown.livejournal.com]

The search for peace is a wasted effort in a war torn land. Pride of humanity, pride of the people, neither side willing to back down when it comes to who wins and who loses.

[ There is the snap of a fan closing as she steps out from behind the bookshelf. ]

You're better off using your energies elsewhere.

[oversees.livejournal.com]

And what makes you so certain of that? You'd rather be content seeing families torn apart, seeing your homes razed to the ground just so you can satisfy some grudge and selfish pride?

[xwheresmacrown.livejournal.com]

I am only certain as I've seen it happen time and time again, professor. When one descends from a throne in a time you just so described, then... one gets certain of what she sees.

[oversees.livejournal.com]

Descending from a throne makes you certain that a resolution will never occur? [Quite honestly, he finds that difficult to believe.]

So you'd constantly engage in war for selfish means then, am I correct?

[legendarycharm.livejournal.com]

[Sadly, Mae is not the sort of person who would point out the irony of teaching a bunch of mercenaries about choosing peace over war.]

I think, in the end, it's better to promote the solution that works as opposed to the one that does not. Bias has no place in teaching, I would assume. [She hasn't actually taught yet herself, so she really can't talk yet.]

I think the best thing we can hope for is to teach the cadets how to assess the situation and act in the way that they feel is right.

[She almost ended up teaching that class, but got stuck with leadership instead. Not to mention politics and leadership aren't exactly strangers in the long run.]