The Right Edge
Why Should WE Go To War?
Published: Wednesday, October 3, 2001
Updated: Saturday, September 12, 2009 03:09
Why should we go to war? America did not make the choice to be in war, Osama bin Laden did when he attacked the World Trade Center once in 1993 and yet again just two weeks ago. He made a blatant act of war when he organized the hijacked airplane that hit the Pentagon, a definite military target with obvious war implications.
The USS Cole and embassy bombings began his acts of violence and when he declared ‘holy war’ on the United States in 1997 defining his hatred towards America.
“At what point shall we expect the approach of danger? By what means shall we fortify against it? Shall we expect some transatlantic military giant, to step the Ocean, and crush us at a blow? Never! All the armies of Europe, Asia and Africa combined, with all the treasure of the earth (our own excepted) in their military chest; with a Buonaparte for a commander, could not by force, take a drink from the Ohio, or make a track on the Blue Ridge, in a trial of a thousand years.
At what point, then, is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide.” The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln edited by Roy P. Basler, Volume I, “Address Before the Young Men’s Lyceum,of Springfield, Illinois (January 27, 1838), p. 109.
The war was instigated by Osama bin Laden similar to how the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, initiating our involvement in World War II. We were hit on the home front. T ignore such acts is not only reckless denial but dangerous intent because it sends the message that the perpetrators can continue to kill Americans without consequence. To hit back is self-defense and it is the only option.
“Those who deny freedom to others, deserve it not for themselves; and, under a just God, can not long retain it.” The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln edited by Roy P. Basler, Volume III, “Letter To Henry L. Pierce and Others” (April 6, 1859), p. 376.
America stands for freedom (of religion, speech, etc.) and what Osama bin Laden wants is nothing less than genocide. By definition, genocide is the systematic killing of a racial or cultural group and Osama bin Laden wants to squelch American freedoms and wipe out the Jews.
“The terrorists’ directive commands them to kill Christians and Jews, to kill all Americans. It is estimated that 5,000 lives were lost in these recent tragedies. There are thousands of these terrorists in more than 60 countries,” said Bush.
At what point do we as Americans come to realize how horrific that is? Who is next? War is by all means a wager of lives, but to shy away will deteriorate our security as a nation. Something else to consider is how America’s impact on these terrorist groups will positively affect the civilian lives in the long run. The Taliban suppresses the Afghanistan people’s way of life. They are poor, starving and scared. With American’s support they can hopefully diminish the terrorists’ power and work to provide for themselves a higher standard of living.
“In order to win the war, we must make sure that the law enforcement men and women have got the tools necessary, within the Constitution, to defeat the enemy,” Bush said in a speech to employees at FBI headquarters.
This act of terrorism has ripped our sense of security. It is the job of the military to protect our national security and right now Bush and the Defense Administration is strategically organizing our troops and rallying for allied support. This will likely be a lengthy war with multiple small strikes. The idea of a world war is deafening and catastrophic intentions but since terrorism is found in all countries it is not an isolated problem but a worldly concern.
“The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew, and act anew. We must disenthrall ourselves, and then we shall save our country.” Lincoln’s Second Annual Message to Congress, December 1, 1862.
Terrorism reminds me of termites. They have slipped through the cracks in the system and are breeding and infiltrating within. It is not so simple to just take out one leader because there are so many others spreading the ideals all over the world. It is eating away at the core of American values.
“Our country, however, will not be cowed by terrorists, by people who don’t share the same values we share,” said Bush.
Not to support America and President Bush’s decision of retaliation is unsupportive of American values. America stands for the protection of liberty and freedom and to not defend these basic principles is un-American. It is also unsupportive of America’s troops. Men and women who are mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers who have made it their job, their personal duty to do their best to ensure our country’s safety. American soldiers preparing to give their lives to protect the lifestyles and freedoms that so many of us take for granted.
“This is not, however, just America’s fight. And what is at stake is not just America’s freedom. This is the world’s fight. This is civilization’s fight. This is the fight of all who believe in progress and pluralism, tolerance and freedom,” President Bush address to a joint session of Congress on September 20.
No comments:
Post a Comment