FreshLennon

I don't know why, but even though you were imprisoned for refusing to be forced into the military, I just can't get behind you on this. I mean it sounds horrible on paper and I may just be an ignorant American, but it just doesn't seem like that big of a deal to me. I actually wish we had a civil service program here in the states. Are you getting any pushback from friends or family? How do people in Finland view your decision?

I know this, but OP believes that joining the non military civil service is in a way supporting the military option. I am very familiar with the civil service option and I support it.

Flags are interesting so I am glad the topic is being touched on in this book. I have lived in the American South and Northern Ireland so I have seen firsthand the problems a simple piece of fabric can cause.

What is your opinion on flags that can be divisive? Should governments have control over what flags should be flown/waived?

Does the book touch at all on the fact that some countries frown on the idea of displaying flags due to their pasts while others revel in that display of patriotism?

A German friend of mine chose to serve his time in the civil service volunteering in beautiful Northern Ireland. It's where I met him actually.

Not in this context it isn't.