AntiWar

 WAR vs. PEACE

"Force is all-conquering, but its victories are short-lived.” – Abraham Lincoln

Wars no matter how destructive, unfortunately, are in some way going to benefit someone. In times of war two sides are labeled the good side who is innocent and the bad side who is the aggressor. Once these labels are given then it is expected that from people to businesses and whole countries establish whose side they are on. Society wants people to be on the good side and go against the aggressor, but if someone for their own personal reasons chooses to take the aggressors side or take no side is looked down upon.

The First Amendment grants Americans freedom of speech, so we can speak for or against as many wars as we would like. There is also Compelled Speech meaning that the government that CANNOT make you say or believe something that you do not want to. 

Wars are beneficial for countries that are helping the “good side”; it gives them access to the country at their most vulnerable time. Worldbeyondwar.org has an article titled “Myth: War Is Beneficial”. In a U.S. poll from 2003-2011, during which the Iraq War was occurring, a majority believed that Iraqis were grateful for the presence and/or war, but many believed that their situation got worse because of U.S. military intervention. A site like antiwar.com works to reveal to people, especially the American people the impacts of these wars. They have a “Casualties in Iraq” page which is something [casualties] that was kept under the rug. Many believe it was that way because there may have been, supposedly, unethical killings or just in general unethical procedures that took place and the U.S. may not want that side of them/their military to be exposed.

Before then there were many anti-war voices, especially when it came to World War I. The United States, at first, claimed to be neutral and was not going to get involved. However, after Germany sank some U.S. ships (and some more). Americans opposed to entering had different reasons; a major reason that was known then and is still brought up today in times of war is that it is not the U.S.’ business so we should not interfere. Some now acknowledge that people who were anti-World War 1 “faced some of the greatest state repression in the history of the United States.” For example , Hulet Wells, Sam Sadler and Joe and Morris Pass (Socialists) were sentenced in September 1917 they were sentenced to two years in federal prison for “conspiracy to resist the draft.”

Is war going to stop? 

• No 

Does the discourse around people who oppose war need to change? 

• YES