The perception of war is different from reality

 The Perception of War is different from Reality

Throughout history, the outcome of wars has been reported as victories and defeat, conquests, and so forth, but the reality of war has escaped proper consideration.

Even in victory there has been a price to pay to win. For those who were tragically injured or killed there is no victory. There is also no defeat. It is the end of their lives. There is no recovery. Even if they survive, life will no longer be what it was.

Warmongers will not often suffer the consequences of what they have instigated. For warmongers, the lives of those they see as enemies don't count, but the lives of those they pretend to be close to don't count either. It is just a matter of numbers. As long as they can claim victory and even if as consequence of their acts there is defeat, they will go around living their lives happily ever after while both presumed foes and presumed friends will suffer dire consequences.

When we see or hear reports about tens of thousands of people dead or injured, names don't count because it would be time consuming or even impossible to determine the identities of those who have lost their lives. The pulverised buildings of what used to be a living city cannot possibly reflect the full story of the tragedy that has occurred.