TLDR, “It is only those who have neither fired a shot nor heard the shrieks and groans of the wounded who cry aloud for more blood, more vengeance, more desolation. War is hell.” - General Sherman.
Regarding the allusions to a violent event to "beat back tyranny", I grow weary, as I am not sure folks really appreciate what they are implying.
When it comes to armed resistance and war I generally place people in 5 broad baskets. Like any categorization, it is inherently limited and flawed at its inception, but I still find it useful to consider generally when these topics come up.
The Blissful: Those who have not experienced war or violence in any real sense, but somehow believe that there is a violence-free and war-free utopia this is out there just waiting for us to embrace it. To these folks, while I can see the appeal, nothing about human history or the nature of man suggests this is any more than a fantasy.
The Exuberant: Those who have not personally experienced war but idealize it and find it somehow noble and exciting - it's kinda the Disneyfication of war. On the eve of every conflict in the last 200 years, the population of young men who fall in this camp swells. And in every circumstance, those that actually make it to the battlefield learn a very sobering lesson.
The Pragmatist: Those who have also not experienced war or violence in any real sense but see history and our nature and realize it is a neverending part of the human story. One that is part of the human reality, but that that it results in few winners, comes at a horrific price and is something that should be avoided at almost all costs.
The Soldier: To start out - I thank all the men and women in this basket for their service. They stand the wall so that others may sleep and nothing in this post (or any other by me) should ever be viewed as dismissing their amazing service and sacrifice - I have not served but have the two bronze stars of my favorite uncle in my office. They have actually seen war. But for Americans that are in this basket, they have seen war through an experience where their family was safe at home, while they served afar. I respect their service and perspective, but I would guess their views might change if their kids/spouses/parents were the ones who ended up collateral damage on a regular basis.
The Survivor: People who have actually had their homes destroyed by war, their children pressed into service, their entire economies collapse, the elderly abandoned to die. This is an experience that very few Americans have lived in the last 100 years (thankfully). The stories of these people should be understood by all before we make idle threats about our "cold dead hands".
I have respect, and seek to learn, from the Soldier, the Survivor, and the fellow Pragmatist. Frankly, it is hard for me to find time for the Blissful and the Exuberant.