Why don't American citizens understand that war is wrong?

Question

I am doing a speech against war and I want to relate to everyday people.

Answer 1

Who says war is wrong? Why is it wrong?

You kknw, if you want to do a speech that relates to everyday people, you might want to learn more about why wars are fought, instead of asking on here. In addition, do NOT use Wikipedia. It is not a credible source.

Answer 2

I am an American, and I do understand that war is wrong. Unlike the answerers above me, I do not think that the invention of nuclear warheads was good. On the contrary, I think that it was the worst technological development in the history of mankind, and I'm stunned that anyone could disagree.

What I don't understand is why people from other countries feel it is appropriate to assume that every single American supports war just because our overbearing president does.

If you had paid attention to the American presidential election in which Bush was first elected, you would know that he actually lost the popular vote- more Americans voted against him than for him.

If you had paid attention to the social climate of America when the war in Iraq began, you would know that thousands of Americans protested against the war, and as the war has progressed, thousands of people who initially supported it have changed their minds, and are now against it. In fact, the polls indicate that at least 60% of Americans feel that the war in Iraq was a mistake.

I find it ironic that you claim that Americans are ignorant for supporting war, yet you betray your own ignorance by making such an unfounded generalization about Americans. We are not a country of evil people any more than any other country is, and I am growing tired of seeing the people of my country so unfairly generalized. The stereotype of the Ugly American is growing very trite. It amazes me that people realize that all other racial, national, and religious stereotypes are unfounded and wrong, but the Ugly American stereotype is still touted as fair and true to reality.

Answer 3

Ah...well, I don't think Americans want to fight wars more than anyone else. We love our comforts and little things like BEING ALIVE, and whatnot.

I used to feel as you did, that war was wrong PERIOD. I was in my teens and early 20s.

But I am an adult now, in my early 30s, and I know that sometimes war is necessary.

It is usually the person or persons who begins the war that is being unreasonable. Like Hitler or the terrorists of today...

But, if someone is attacking you, war is indeed necessary. If you don't fight, you will be conquered, and sometimes you will conquered if you fight (my own people in Africa and the native peoples of America are examples). But you must fight back, and not just roll over and take it, even if the odds are bad. In that case war is necessary...

You ought to begin to understand that all is not as it seems. Life is much more complex than what you are thinking of...

What if no one had fought against Hitler and the other Axis powers? Should Hitler have been free to EXTERMINATE people and take over country after country?

In fact, in my opinion (and I am certainly not the only one) one problem with Hitler was that for a while he was given too much latitude to do what he wished....

I use World War II as an example because it is generally agreed the Axis had to be countered....

To put it in a micro situation, what if someone came to your home, planted a bomb, it blew up and killed your brother or sister, and then kidnapped your mother because this person was against women, and stabbed your dog. Would you stand there and just say, it is wrong to fight - all agression is wrong, or would you fight back?

You may not have much of a chance, but you would try to protect your home and family

What if the person was doing this for their "ideals"? Would that really matter to you? Or would you be concerned with basic safety and survival.

America's current war is very complex. It seems to many people that we are just being agressive and killing for no reason, but look at the facts, I mean really investigate.

Don't just look at local or national news, but look things up...

To relate to everyday people though, you might want to elaborate on how when people are at war their basic safety and needs (food, water, shelter) are in danger , how costly it is, the amount of people who die, how that loss of life affects societies (orphans, single parents, loss of certain groups like journalists, religious leaders, intellectuals), etc.

But I wish you would understand that sometimes war is necessary...a necessary evil...

Answer 4

I am an every day person. And I live in the USA. Even so I do not agree with these politics of fighting diplomacy for no cause therefore with the impact of war? I think there are different tools available to fight diplomacy and foreign policies. War is not always the answer. To many innocent people loose their lives. I think War is cruel, disruptive and less positive of the political out come. Once a country is in war the negative will follow for years to come. For instance WWII, even after 60 years past history, it stills follows every German.This is my opinion. ( I am a Social Worker)

Answer 5

Was war wrong in 1776 when the Americans broke away from Britain?

Was war wrong when President Abraham Lincoln preserved the Union?

Was war wrong when the USA came to the aid of free Europe during two world wars in the 20th Century?

Was it wrong when a fear filled Europe begged President Clinton to bomb the former Yugoslavia because Europe did not have the guts to bomb it themselves?

Answer 6

War is not wrong. To protect your borders from an agressive nation. To gain back a natural resource that was wrongly wrested from your people. To stop a genocidal maniac like hitler. In these cases war can actually be good.

No that you have seen how war is not "wrong" and can be good. You can go about the constructive guidelines of when is war justified.

Life contains almost no Black or White, it is 99.99% grey.

Answer 7

War is a necessary evil.
Some wars are just plain wrong, and US involvement in said wars are simply a result of bad decisions made by those in power.
Viet Nam might be a good example for your assignment, since it is one which was opposed by much of the general population, and because you will easily find lots of information to support your position.
Good Luck.

Answer 8

Our government teaches people not to commit crimes, or kill anyone.Or, take justice on their own hands for that matter.Yet, it's contradicting itself by fighting other countries.Isn't the same thing?Citizens fighting against people who they think it's wrong.Aren't they doing the same thing?
Sometimes what we want to fight for is right.But, the consequences and the people that get hurt in the process makes us stop.Yeah...war has had good consequences.Like the atomic bomb, but that will kill many people.There's not such thing as a good war and a bad peace.

Answer 9

Mostly because we would be British citizens if it wasn't for Americans understanding that sometimes war is a necessary evil. Freedom is not free. It must be defended and/or fought for.

Answer 10

war is something that is needed.........whenever mother earth is over populated she always finds a way to thin the heard, all of those poor people that were killed are (like it or not) not going to compete with you for food, shelter, and employement, the president knows this why do you think we always have a booming economy after a major war, all of these people cry about the death and destruction, but even in destruction there is creation, the hypocrite side is that more people have died in the name of religion than anything else