There's a lot of theories about war and foreign policy, and I take lots of slack from family members about my theories and opinions on war and terrorism. My comments on Veterans Day made on my Facebook page prompted my cousin to say that my Grandpa would roll over in his grave if he knew what I was saying. Basically it boiled down to "All wars are B.S. power grabs and everyone has bought into the propaganda that the soldier actually fights for your freedom"
I still remember the day Iraq started, sitting with my then girlfriend watching the live shots of air strikes and hearing the fears that I may be drafted to fight in the war. I remember walking back into my college dorm room and seeing the live shots on the tv of 9/11 and how I felt. But that doesn't mean I support the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, but I still worry to death of my cousin fighting his second tour in the Afghan war.
Thomas Jefferson said it best in his inaugural address. "Peace, trade and honest friendship with all nations. Entangling alliances with none"
I had a debate with an old high school classmate a couple weeks ago about the blowback of our military policy the last 100+ years. We have army bases in over 190 countries, and my former classmate argued that we are in most of those countries because their governments asked us to be. Which that doesn't matter, we don't need to have that many army bases around the world. This is why so many people around the world hate us and why the terrorists want to attack us, they want us out of their land. It's not that hard to figure out.
There's no such thing as a just war, at least not in my lifetime, or my parents lifetime. You can make an argument about our involvement in WWII. But the only war fought for my freedom and yours was the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812.
Enjoy the video on "The Just War Theory and Peace Correlation" from Ron Paul
Comments
You were right about wars. Sorry your family can't see it.
i think that quote was actually washington but otherwise a good read
You're right to be skeptical, but rather naive about human nature. You are basically saying that if we leave them alone, they will leave us alone. Nothing could be further from the truth, as human history has proven repeatedly. It is untrue that the predators who tend to lead nations will necessarily leave anyone alone. Without the credible threat of force, those predators cannot be stopped. To believe that foreigners hate us and want to attack us because of military bases anywhere is, to be charitable, very simpleminded. It is true, however, that it is important to examine the necessity and the possible consequences of our actions and those of our officeholders.
For those who think that others don't hate us because we have military bases in their country: just stop and think "what would you feel if you saw Russian or French or Egyptian tanks and armored vehicles and soldiers and missiles in your backyard?"
The 6 basis of the Just War Theory! What a concept!!
Stupor, how can you honestly believe that we would get attacked still if we left the Middle East alone? When was the last time you saw terrorists attack Finland?
SM- "...[I]f we leave them alone, they will leave us alone" IF we also show that we can and will EFFECTIVELY defend our homes (not invade theirs first) if attacked. Walk around with a chip on your shoulder and someone will try to knock it off. Mind your own business but be prepared to defend yourself. Works for me.
Thank you for this article and the inspiring video. It's just sad that he is not well known around the US when clearly he wants what is best for america.
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