"Love is a harsh and dreadful thing to ask of us, but it is the only answer."--Dorothy Day

1.28.2006

Why We Fight.

I went to see a movie tonight called Why We Fight. It documents the evolution of the military-industrial complex from its beginnings after WWII, focusing mainly on the military events of the past 20 years or so. It recognizes every military action taken by the United States, all taken in the name of "freedom." Freedom from what they cannot say.

This film renewed my outrage at the current world situation. I am, as ever, mortified that human beings are referred to as collateral damage; that we as a nation lack any sense of empathy for the citizens of these nations we destroy in our own self interest. That the world had such sympathy for our nation in the days after September 11th, but we lack the ability to see that because of what we have done they now live their daily lives in such a place. This film spoke of the first days of the war in Iraq, of how the first missiles of what was referred to as a campaign of shock and awe struck not the political/military targets they aimed for, but rather homes nearby where people had just awoken and were getting ready to start their days. 90% of the casualities in those days were civilians, collateral damage. And our government has done this countless times before--Chile, Lebanon, Laos, Vietnam, Boliva, Panama, Grenada and the list goes on. How can anyone justify such devestation? What price must the world pay for the United States to maintain its position of power? Is anything worth that cost?

1 comment:

JTB said...

Hi Casey,

I'm glad you're blogging.

Jen TB