Where did you go?

I can definately respect your beliefs.

I don't like tattoo's, I think they're ugly. But if they make you feel good, that's all that counts.

I find the idea of taking personal satisfaction in killing someone extremely frightening, which is why if I am ever called up for military service, I shall not fight for my country under any circumstances apart from a foreign power invading it...

A warrior does not kill people who are weak and helpless, a warrior lives by a code of honour. George Bush is a coward. George Bush senior was a fundamentally more decent man than his son, that is why he left the Iraqi infrastructure intact, not because he was weak or stupid...

Spartans did not think like you do.

Like me?

No they did not think like Faller.

I'd be inclined to agree... I'd love to see how gung ho some of these guys are about killing when they tackle an enemy who can fight back...

The philosophy behind self improvement is a great and noble one, indeed. It is one that I, in fact, try to adhere to as stringently as possible.

But you cannot stop at the body. Improving the body is great, but you should also learn to improve your mind. Schwarzenegger says that "the human body is a dynamo" and this is true. But remember, the mind is the real source of energy.

I am not in the military and will probably never be. That doesn't mean that I think fitness shouldn't be a goal for everyone. A healthy body can breed a healthy mind. What we need is a Nietzche/Socrates/Spartan mix philosophy.

On tattooing, well, that's for each individual to decide. I have never been ready for it. I once held Nazi beliefs close to my heart and nearly had a swastika put on my chest. Coming out of my ignorance, I learned just how unready I am to ink my skin perminantly.

But why not try pushing yourself into physical and mental fitness. You can always stop if you don't like the results. I think that the chances are you will, though. But it never hurts to try and look from someone else's point of view. Remember what Friedriche Nietzche said? You should:

"That which does not kill us, makes us stronger."

...or leaves us a cowering, mewling heap on the floor!

Tattoos were once a ritualistic rite of passage to adulthood in many cultures. The west bastardised the whole process once again and what was once an extremely painful process that often caused infection and death has become pale in comparrison. It's glam. I've nothing against it but don't compare it to the warriors who were tattooed in the traditional fashion. Check out the Samoan body tattooist instruments.
http://www.vanishingtattoo.com/samoa_tattoo_kit.htm