Of course the people don’t want war. But after all, it’s the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it’s always a simple matter to drag the people along whether it’s a democracy, a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism, and exposing the country to greater danger.
Legit, according to snopes.
Stephan adds this Comment:
I wasn’t really told that I was being attacked though… I saw it with my eyes. Big difference.
I will not get into where we should be or what we should do. My first suggestion to everyone is to read “The Pentagon’s New Map” which thoroughly examines the changing dynamic of the outlying variables to war. What happens outside of wars that lead to the future. Good stuff and a great way to understand what has happened to this country’s way of thinking since the beginning of the Cold War.
May 7th, 2007 at 9:34 am
Bill adds this Comment:
“I wasn’t really told that I was being attacked though… I saw it with my eyes. Big difference.”
@Stephan - sure, maybe that gets us into Afganistan. But this “it’s always a simple matter to drag the people along … denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism, and exposing the country to greater danger.” sure sounds like how we got into Iraq.
May 7th, 2007 at 9:41 am
Stephan adds this Comment:
Bill,
I don’t want to fill up Alex’s space with commentary debate but I will say this, there was no denouncing of pacifists right before or right after the Iraq invasion. From what I can remember the majority (and by that I mean Congress) was behind the invasion, minus a few. The denouncing has only occurred in the time after no WMD were found and the realization that we may be there longer than originally thought.
If you would like to discuss further, feel free to e-mail me, ssegraves [AT] gmail.com
May 7th, 2007 at 9:58 am
Alex adds this Comment:
I’m closing comments on this post.
May 7th, 2007 at 10:01 am