RE: Palestine Today
⁜→ P F Tinmore, et al,
BLUF: Your commentaries here seem to suggest two equally obnoxious political and loyalty positions.
Our friend Shusha shines a light on an extremely important distinction. In no way can you relate the two meanings, no matter which meanings you choose to compare:
(See: American Heritage Dictionary, ed 3)
◈ vet·er·an n. 1. A person who is long experienced or practiced in an activity or a capacity: a veteran of political campaigns. 2. A person who has served in the armed forces: “Privilege, a token income... were allowed for veterans of both world wars” (Mavis Gallant). 3. An old soldier who has seen long service. — adj. 1. Having had long experience or practice: a veteran actor. 2. Of or relating to former members of the armed forces: veteran benefits.
◈ mar·tyr n. 1. One who chooses to suffer death rather than renounce religious principles. 2. One who makes great sacrifices or suffers much in order to further a belief, cause, or principle. 3. a. One who endures great suffering: a martyr to arthritis. b. One who makes a great show of suffering in order to arouse sympathy. — v. tr. mar·tyred, mar·tyr·ing, mar·tyrs. 1. To make a martyr of, especially to put to death for devotion to religious beliefs. 2. To inflict great pain on; torment.
As you can see:
◈ The first one relates to "experience" • "service" • "soldier" • "armed forces."
◈ The Second one relates to "suffering" • "religious principles" • "to further a belief, cause, or principle." And my personal favorite: great show of suffering in order to arouse sympathy.
What is the difference between a martyr and a veteran?
Veterans are honored all over the world.
Is that more cowardly that someone in an airplar dropping bombs on family homes.
(COMMENT)
You are very correct → the dropping of "bombs on family homes" has a relationship to the distant characteristic of "cowardice." But this cowardice has to do with the misfeasance, malfeasance and/or nonfeasance on the part of the Arab Palestinians, rather than the Israelis. In most cases (not every case • but most cases) the Arab Palestinians bring the death and destruction upon themselves. IF they followed the Customary and International Humanitarian Law (C&IHL) (including the Geneva Convention), THEN death and destruction would not follow back to them as a consequence of their unlawful activity. They bear the responsibilities for casualties incurred as a result of Hostile Arab Palestinian criminal activity (Article 68 GCIV - C&IHL).
Most Respectfully,
R