Is America Truly at War?
Over the past four years, and especially recently, I have heard many declarations, from Bush, concluding that our country is at war. These words, "America is at War," have been used by this administration to justify and explain many types of activities, from invading, and staying in Iraq, to invading, and leaving Afghanistan's, to wire-tapping, tax increases, and a number of other activities. It seemed especially curious to me that just last week a tape from Osama bin Laden, who had been unheard from for more than a year, re-surfaced, just when Bush was under fire for his wiretapping activities.
But what does it mean when one says, our country is at war? Is it that we are actually being attacked, are at risk of attack, or that there is an imminent danger of being attacked? Clearly, after September 11th., our country was at war, and we had been attacked, which justified many kinds of responses from our government and this administration. But is it truly the case that today, January 28, 2005, that our country is at war?
When I think of a country who is clearly at war, Israel comes to mind. This country is clearly at risk of actual harm from the acts and statements of neighbors, who on a daily basis, make claims or engage in acts in an attempt to obliterate its existence.
Do you think America is at war today? When, if at all, will we stop being at war? To me, we have not been attacked in four years (thank God), but this declaration seems to be a catch all phrase to justify almost any kind of activity.
On a personal note, I miss you all, and am sorry that my blogging is less frequent. Working outside the home everyday, and commitments here make it difficult to engage in daily blogging.
Thank you for your minds.
But what does it mean when one says, our country is at war? Is it that we are actually being attacked, are at risk of attack, or that there is an imminent danger of being attacked? Clearly, after September 11th., our country was at war, and we had been attacked, which justified many kinds of responses from our government and this administration. But is it truly the case that today, January 28, 2005, that our country is at war?
When I think of a country who is clearly at war, Israel comes to mind. This country is clearly at risk of actual harm from the acts and statements of neighbors, who on a daily basis, make claims or engage in acts in an attempt to obliterate its existence.
Do you think America is at war today? When, if at all, will we stop being at war? To me, we have not been attacked in four years (thank God), but this declaration seems to be a catch all phrase to justify almost any kind of activity.
On a personal note, I miss you all, and am sorry that my blogging is less frequent. Working outside the home everyday, and commitments here make it difficult to engage in daily blogging.
Thank you for your minds.
11 Comments:
Good question. It sure doesn't feel like we're at war, somehow. And yet, we're killing people and Americans are being killed. So I guess I'd have to say that we are at war. It's just a very pointless war.
We are always at war. We are at war with Eurasia. We have always been at war with Eurasia. Eastasia is our ally.
No wait... We are at war with Eastasia. We have always been at war with Eastasia. Eurasia has always been our ally.
That's pretty much the way I think of it. A fearful country will give up liberties more readily than a confident one. Fearful citizens don't ask as many questions. Fearful citizens are forced to trust their government because they themselves feel powerless against the enemy (whether real or imagined).
We're only at war because Bush created a war.
Hmmm. As far as I can tell, there has been no formal declaration of war, so in that respect, no we are not.
Informally, we are at war on a number of fronts. The war on terrorism, the war on drugs and historically, there has been the war on poverty, racism... the list goes on.
I suppose that if it's something we don't like, we declare war on it. Might makes right, I guess.
It's interesting that the last several military actions this country has been involved in were not officially wars at all. They were police actions, peace keeping missions and the like.
Honestly, it seems as if we are always at war. It really makes me wonder...
Mike
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The punks that are stirring things up in the middle east are the same as the scumbags on our own streets, only on a larger scale...
drug dealers, thieves, thugs, wanna be Dons... we are at war with these pieces of garbage every day, like it or not... the same goes for the nitwits over there like Hamas, al queda amd the rest of them. The only way to stop the crap is thru force... Khadafi is a good example... we stepped on him, no more problems...
pacifists always say that might doesn't make right, peace thru peace, and a litany of other nicey-nice sayings, unfortunately this is not the reality of the world.
I was abused my whole life as a child, I tried to be nice, hide my head in the sand, not make waves... Ya know what it got me? More beatings, threats and intimidation. Sometimes enough is enough...
these people are fighting for power in their own way, somehow they think that by attacking us they will reach their goals.
We must destroy drug dealers and lawbreakers in our society... and we must not let those from outside inject their poison into ours
the middle east, mexico, usa...
we are on the battleground like it or not...
Actually, you are right, Mr. A., there has been no formal declaration of war. We can look at such claims during WWI and WWII and see the differences. In fact, the "war" in America does not even have a name, other than the war on terrorists, which is general enough to make one, including myself wonder, at what point we will ever cease being at war in America. Does this war on terroism differ from WWI or WWII? To me, absolutely and unequivocally!
What do you think?
Barbara, One thing to remember is that Religious Crusades do not always feel like war on the average street. This is a ''war'' of ideology and hubris. The 'little people' just get suffled about in the chess game of the "BIG" players. Life goes on and even terrorist acts just become a way of life,,, (look to Israel and see how it is now ingrained in the average citizens lives) "Rulers" like this set up, it affords them the oneous to be able to do what ever they please, real leaders are marginalized and made to appear less 'patriotic' or silly to demean any alternative to what we have come to call 'war'.
In my mind, it comes down to education of the average person. We must pull the facts from the hidden agendas of the greedy, powerhungry people we have put in charge of this planet.
Maslov needs should be at the forefront, not oil and religous control plans of action.
So, I say we need to be realistic and see that this is a war of ideology, before any thing else. You can't kill ideas, so you had better learn to live with alternative thoughts, or crusades happen.
From a purely technical perspective, we're not at war, but Congress has authorized a "military engagement."
Either way, Americans are getting killed. History will judge whether this operation is successful or not.
So, I say we need to be realistic and see that this is a war of ideology, before any thing else. You can't kill ideas, so you had better learn to live with alternative thoughts, or crusades happen.
...who does this refer to exactly?
wHi Barb,
When 2 countries are fighting, you are indeed at war.
Are we at risk>? thats nore the kind of question you would ask.
Yes, there is absolutely a difference. Primarily differences include (formal declarations notwithstanding) are actual nations identified as the enemy and the overwhelming support of the people. Additionally, we were fighting against a formidable and organized force that was in fact trying to conquer the world. The evidence was conclusive and the wheels were already in motion.
As far as my comment of "might not making right", I stand by it. Was Hitler mightier than the countries he occupied? Than the European Jews? Few would argue that his might made him right. Indeed, he may have succeeded in his domination had his own greed and ego not caused him to take on too much too fast.
I am a firm believer in peace through strength. I just seems to me, whenever something becomes a thorn in our side, we immediately jump to the extreme - declare war on it. It is a statement of a culture of extremism coupled with violence that is disturbing to say the least.
A final note: I say all this in generality - not aimed at the state of our current conflicts worldwide. This means that the state of affairs in Iraq is far too complex to go into here... and my opinion has not solidified to the point where I can support or denounce our actions there. I do, however, support unconditionally our troops who are there risking their lives by doing their sworn duty.
~Mike
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