Ch 11 - 20 Characterization: Earth Afire by Orson Scott Card

In the latest installment of the book Earth Afire by Orson Scott Card, the earth is in a bit of a dilemma.they recently have been attacked by an unknown and hostile species. Three large landing ships have set down in china. And though the fight isn't completely uneven. It's steeped enough in the favor of the newly discovered Formics that it's more of a massacre than a war. While it's clear that the Chinese need help. They are unwilling to appear weak in asking for help. The leader of an elite unit of MOPs (mobile operations police) is stationed just outside of china is faced with the decision of helping or staying put. Traveling into china will most certainly lead to the end of his career. He'll not only anger the Chinese for violating international law, his own organization is likely to throw him from thier ranks for his disobedience and breach of  procedure. One question that comes up is when does it become acceptable to risk oneself for an end goal. When does it become your moral obligation to accept the possible repercussions of an action and follow through. In the book. Our protagonists decide it's worth the risk. Characters like mazer Rackham and Witt O'Toole  move into the war zone knowing that if they don't die, their careers will likely be ended for their actions. And even Bingwen. A ten year old boy risks his life going into a scorched and razed valley to carry out his wounded friends. Even though there isn't an alien ship attacking earth. The debate becomes; when does our adherence to the law undermine the reason laws were first created? And what is the best way to address those issues?

Click here for a link to my reflection on chapters 1-10

http://avreadingblog.blogspot.com/2013/09/earth-afire-by-orson-scott-card-ch-1-10.html