Julien de Philaville

Introduction (America's Reputation Preceeds Itself):     

     

     Author Steven Pinker once said, “Human nature is complex. Even if we do have inclinations toward violence, we also have inclination to empathy, to cooperation and self-control.”  Ever since the American Revolution, the idea of war has lingered around our country.  We have made a reputation about ourselves for being bloodthirsty, vicious and barbaric toward opposing countries.  The awful reality of this “reputation” is that many countries have negative opinions on us and want to annihilate us.  They feel that we are arrogant and ignorant of other cultures and lifestyles which is infuriating to those countries and perpetuates the stereotype that America is a country full of ignoramuses.  These feuds ignited off of political debates that could not be settled which is quite contradictory to the American way.

 

Let's Backtrack:

 

     The controversy started with Bush supposedly “helping” regain the confidence and safety of Americans by invading Iraq after 9/11.  The invasion followed with freeing a fellow soldier from Iraqi bondage, toppling a statue of Saddam Hussein and Bush signing a spending bill for potentially necessary war equipment in Iraq.  These tasks were not to make peace and did not a exude a compromising vibe which should have been our first objective since this country was founded on the values of Christian beliefs.  Unfortunately, we were so blinded by revenge that our beliefs meant nothing and we ran in ring coming for blood.  The government felt that the only way to solve this conflict was to engage in malicious and dark behavior.  We should have not just invaded and conquered because that sends a bad message to the country of Iraq and its government.  How would we be able to make peace if we keep presenting ourselves as the aggressors?

     Contrary to popular belief, a great portion of the American population believe that war in Iraq was unnecessary.  That 71% thought that the overthrowing of Saddam Hussein’s government and loss of so many lives was uncalled for.  The other 29% did not comment on the war but their position was clear.  They firmly believe that violence, fear and intimidation was necessary to avoid future conflicts and President Bush thought the exact same thing.  It’s thought processes like these that doom our country to repeat our past transgressions in the duration of our existence.

     But that 71% of the population mentioned earlier have tried to voice their shared opinion on the issue.  There have been several protests and rallies surrounding this issue all over the world.  There were approximately 10 million to 15 million protesters in over 600 cities.  The war has set a global debate but much was to be expected from the United States.

     For an allegedly democratic country, these protests were not received the way they were supposed to be.  As Americans, we have a right to petition and have our voices heard and with the right amount of numbers and strength, we may actually win the battle against a certain injustice that we are currently facing.  Sadly, the message was not heeded and as a result, U.S. troops made their through Iraqi cities and broke Saddam Hussein’s defenses.  

 

Patriotism:

 

     The idea of war and pride comes from the idea of patriotism.  Emma Goldman, a writer in the 1800’s defines patriotism in a number of ways.  While interviewing Leo Tolstoy, a renowned anti-patriot defines patriotism as this, “as the principle that will justify the training of wholesale murderers; a trade that requires better equipment in the exercise of man-killing than the making of such necessities as shoes, clothing, and houses; a trade that guarantees better returns and greater glory than that of the honest workingman...”  The honest truth is that veterans are praised for “protecting our country” by murdering people of another country but are not considered “murderers”.  It is only for the “glory” of America and to protect our riches from anything threatening it.  Why are we so consumed with ourselves that the deaths of others could possibly be suffice as the good of America?

 

Conclusion (Live and Learn):

 

     In conclusion, war never justifies anything.  The only thing it is capable of is losing innocent people and forming a distance amongst two groups.  We lucky in being able to overcome our differences and make peace with Iraq.  Maybe the political figures have learned something from history but if, it’s bound to repeat itself.