The best way I can describe the war on terrorism is to compare it to a fad, like a diet program. At first, everyone was into it and when the going got tough, they decided they did not like the idea so much anymore. The attacks that occurred on September 11th shook the entire country, and the war did not seem like such a bad thing. However, the war continued on much like the Vietnam War (even though our current losses do not match the losses in the 70’s), and the public wanted out. They wanted their family members back, which is understandable to say the least.
I think that the desire to bring freedom and democracy to such a chaotic country is a noble cause, and yet I still think the war has gone on too long. I think that over time, that purpose has faded a little and now we as a country are afraid to pull out our troops because we fear what the people of Iraq and Afghanistan might do to retaliate. Not every person in the Middle East appreciates our cause, and so we in turn have become the terrorists. I am not denouncing my support for the war and our troops, nor am I saying that every person in the Middle East must bow to the American way, I am saying that the “war” was a good idea, but it has lost the glimmer of maintaining a country’s government. To watch a program on the Military Channel and witness our soldier’s interacting with the people and helping them is so deeply touching to me. However, I’m no idiot and in no way do I think that that’s all that goes on over there. No part of any war is glamorous; every part is tragic. My belief is that war is a necessary evil, not a defense mechanism to intimidate other countries. This whole entry may sound all over the place, and that’s because it is. I have so many opinions that it’s hard to decide where I stand. I’m right in the middle.
Regarding what the U.S. might do if another country decided the same path that Iraq and Afghanistan did, I can’t really determine what might happen. I think that with our new president, we would most likely stay out of it this time, because I don’t think Obama would risk throwing another war on all the people that voted for him; they wouldn’t be too happy. No President is perfect, and the war on terrorism may have been a mistake. However, in order to have a strong country we must learn from our mistakes and better our thought processes and hastiness regarding being the police dogs of the world.
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I really felt that your opening statement about war being like a fad was so relatable and interesting, I never thought of it in those contexts but you are so right. In a lot of situations, including war, we are a nation built on high hopes and letdowns, and it seems that sometimes the cots are too high for the rewards. I totally understand what you mean when you say that your opinions are “all over the place”, so are mine, it seems like on one hand there’s nothing else for our country to do but go to war, but on the other hand we have to ask ourselves is the cost too high for our people and the people of these other countries? It also begs the question of what else could be done with the resources that are being used in this war.
ReplyDeleteIt does kind of seem that we are charged with being the “police dog of the world” and it s true that we need to learn from our mistakes but I think that for the most part we need to worry about our own failing country and let other countries figure out their own path just as we did because “the right path” cannot come about over night, it takes many failed attempts to reach success and I think every country deserves the chance to figure this out for themselves.
I really liked the way that you presented your opinion you weren’t on one extreme or another, which is what so many people tend to do myself included. There is a lot that goes into war. It has so many different aspects to it that its hard to decided whether one should be against or for it. Like you mentioned its all over the place and its true the war is all over place. So its understandable for you to have different opinions in certain aspects of the whole situation. I also really liked how you turned things around, Americans could be looked at as the terrorist in their country. Not everyone in Afghanistan and Iraq want the American troops there. Yet, they are still their bombing all over the place and killing innocent people. It is also true that the war has been extended for so long its purpose has kind of been forgotten. The troops are no longer their for the attacks’ of 9/11 it has become something more. In reference to your example yes it started out with everyone agreeing and supporting the war out of emotional impulse but, its seems that now that time has passed all that everyone wants is for the troops to get out and come back home.
ReplyDeleteIt is true that most people were for the “war” in Iraq and Afghanistan when it started. Americans were upset and furious that the terrorist came in our country and conducted these terrorist acts. We all wanted to have revenge towards these cowardly people. But since the conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan took longer than people realized and expected. They started to turn against the conflict and ask why are we there. Did they forget why we are in the Middle East? They couldn’t of forgot because they were all for it a few years ago. I don’t like hearing people in our military complaining about why are they in Iraq or complaining about not wanting to go to war. Then they shouldn’t have joined the military, what did they think the military does? But back to the “war” I think it was started and we have to finish it. I don’t agree with all the things that are going on there but since we are there already and we have wasted so much lives and money. I believe we should stay there until we are finished. The United States are the peacekeepers of the world and I believe countries accept that thought. Sometimes our government should keep themselves out of other countries business and let them handle it for themselves. But when it has to do with our country, we should always get involved.
ReplyDeleteI'm not so sure I agree that war is a fad, it is not like everyone everywhere was into it or doing and then it just faded away. I think that the people had more faith in the begining of making a difference for our country and another as well. Now that it has s been nine years people are tired, depressed, and missing their families. I don't think it is a fact of whether or not they are supportive of it or not or like it is a way of yesterday but more so that they feel like we are getting nowhere with our doings. I feel that we have started it, we should finish it. Our country knew what going to war meant, and those who are willing to risk their lives for our country knew as well, and I am so grateful that they are willing to put their lives on the line for people they don't even know. I think that war is something that is inevatable, we will never all agree upon one thing, and people will never live in true peace. Yet I do beleive there is such a thing as being close to it and it may not be perfect but the world was never intended to be perfect, and neither were people. So wars will always be a part of life as long as there is humanity.
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