Thirteen years ago, a well-organized and well-trained group of men hijacked U.S. planes filled with U.S. citizens and instigated a full-scale terrorist attack in New York City. This country’s people had never seen or experienced anything like it, and the devastation was unimaginable. Reading George W. Bush’s address to Congress dated September 20, 2001 is an interesting look at presidential rhetoric that speaks to the American people using particular words and phrases in an attempt to galvanize a culture that prides itself on “rugged individualism.” Americans came together in a way that only tragedy can muster, but it didn’t last. Social media and electronic connectedness cannot replace true social solidarity. In a way, this country’s people are more detached than ever from the realities of waging war. So, our leaders claim it is okay and necessary for the U.S. to devastate the lives of thousands of innocent civilians in some far off place and call it a “just war” but when it happens here it is terrorism.
(George W. Bush's Speech from 9/20/01)
This is so true, and really, when you think about it, exposes the propaganda machine that America is. This isn't unique to any one president, either-- it's really anybody that has ever held office. Seems like the job is there so that there's someone to assure the white Americans that they are superior and that everything will always be OK for them. It's dumb.
ReplyDeleteI think your thinking too single minded, there is a huge grey area with this topic, given like most people I do agree with you, but theres another side to this. Hypothetically he did nothing and that would have been much worse because our nation would hate him and be in constant terror, and again I do take your side but I believe he took it way too far instead of he just plainly made the wrong decision.
ReplyDeleteI guess I can see your point. Although we did instigate some violence in the middle east, it was a response to terrorist attacks in the United States. I do have to agree though that most people don't really understand what it is they are agreeing to, as very few have experienced what real war is like.
ReplyDelete