‘Occam’s Razor’ | Our island, our world through the eyes, pen of S.C. Watson

By S. C. Watson|2022-11-10T14:48:02-08:00November 11th, 2022|2 Comments

View Larger Image

Welcome to our weekly feature, Occam’s Razor,
from local artist S.C. Watson.

**If you are reading theOrcasonian for free, thank your fellow islanders. If you would like to support theOrcasonian CLICK HERE to set your modestly-priced, voluntary subscription. Otherwise, no worries; we’re happy to share with you.**

About the Author: S. C. Watson

S.C. Watson has been drawing and painting for as long as he can remember. Which is to say a couple of days, at least. Mostly self taught with traditional and digital media, he has been selling his artistic soul for the past two and half decades to the highest bidder, including, but not limited to Wizards of the Coast, Fantasy Flight Games, Malfador Machinations, and various private clients, including independent authors. When he's not working in his studio, socially distancing with his family or walking his art director dachshund, Rocky, he can be found wandering the Deer Harbor woods aimlessly muttering about masks, politics, and the artistic merits of taupe. He likes sushi and is dismayed there isn't an established restaurant on the island.

2 Comments

Ken Wood November 11, 2022 at 11:15 am

On this day of Remembrance, let us not forget that many of the men that fought in the U.S. Army during the wars of the 20th century were CONSCRIPTED into service:

Conflict Dates Number of Conscripts:
World War I Sept. 1917 – Nov. 1918 2,810,296
World War II Nov. 1940 – Oct. 1946 10,110,104
Korean War June 1950 – June 1953 1,529,539
Vietnam War Aug. 1964 – Feb. 1973 1,857,304

I do not imply that conscripts fought any less valiantly than those who volunteered; some of whom felt it was preferable to enlist in the Navy, Air Force or Marines rather than wait to be drafted into the Army (among them most of my uncles). And let us also not forget the Conscientious Objectors in all of those wars, many of whom were jailed and humiliated for their willingness to resist being forced to participate in organized government ordered violence. Honoring Conscientious Objectors does not mean disrespecting Veterans who served, whether they enlisted or were conscripted against their will.

So, let us take this day to remember and to mourn, and to let that remembering increase our commitment to Peace and to solving problems at every level of society without resorting to violence until it really is the last and only option in our defense.

Also let us not forget that conscription is NOT over; active conscription in the United States ended in 1973, when the U.S. Armed Forces moved to an all-volunteer military, however, conscription remains in place on a contingency basis and all male U.S. citizens, regardless of where they live, and male immigrants, whether documented or undocumented, residing within the United States, who are 18 through 25 are required to register with the Selective Service System. United States federal law also continues to provide for the COMPULSORY CONSCRIPTION of men between the ages of 17 and 45 and certain women for militia service pursuant to Article I, Section 8 of the United States Constitution and 10 U.S. Code § 246 (source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conscription_in_the_United_States)
B. Sadie Bailey November 14, 2022 at 12:59 am

Good comment, Ken. Well said, and thought.