It seems as though every time another nation exercises its sovereignty and acts militarily, America becomes fearful and resentful towards this nation.
The War in Iraq is a quintessential example of the failure of this “act first, think second” irrationality of many Americans and their politicians, left-winged or right-winged. The Bush Administration sold the war with promises of keeping America safe from terrorists and weapons of mass destruction that simply did not exist in Iraq prior to the invasion of the country. This war was voted for by both Democrats and Republicans in 2002 and has been one of the biggest causes of political controversy this decade.
Last year, Russia went to war with Georgia, and the media outlets called for intervention of the United States. These fearful reporters sold war to an American public for no reason at all. Russia was not invading Alaska (although former Governor Sarah Palin might feel otherwise) and did not pose an immediate threat to the United States of America.
Several months ago North Korea tested a weapon of its own and America was outraged. A PoliGazette poll conducted in April of this year reported 57% wanted to take military action against North Korea. Luckily enough, these feelings have died down quite considerably.
Iran has recently conducted missile testing of its own, and public outrage was had by all. I expect there to be another poll reporting yet another cry for war with another country that, once again, poses absolutely no immediate threat to America.
Why is it acceptable for America to have military bases in Germany, Japan, and in the Middle East? Furthermore, how is it acceptable for America to conduct its own military testing and experiments in the deserts of the West and on uninhabited islands? It seems as though the men and women in charge of the hysteria button in America are also card-carrying members of The Church of Hypocrisy.
America has 9,400 nuclear weapons. America has a volunteer armed forces with some of the highest enlistment numbers in the world. America has a highly trained military with a long history and an air force that is of the finest in the world. America has CIA agents and special operatives in nations all over the globe with instant connectivity to the Pentagon.
Iran launched one missile.
Korea launched one missile.
Russia participated in a preemptive strike against a much weaker nation.
The United States has engaged in numerous preemptive strikes against weaker nations, leading to the economic and political turmoil of today.
Citizens of the prideful nation that many Americans claim to be apart of seem to fear the sovereignty of other nations, which is odd because tea was thrown in a harbor about 300 years ago for the sake of sovereignty. People on both the blue and on the red side of the spectrum claim that America has the best military in the world.
If this is the case, Americans, the media, and its government need to start acting the part. If America wants to be a superpower, it cannot be intimidated by nations that do not pose a threat to its citizens.
Furthermore, Americans must realize that it is a nation’s right and obligation to protect and provide its own citizens with a sense of security, much like Americans expect of their own government. To deny Iraq, Korea, Russia, or Iran the ability to garner a military for itself is tyrannical and goes against the ideals that America was founded upon.
James Monroe was famous for his foreign policy. It was a policy that called for the de-globalization of Europe within the Western Hemisphere and a policy that promised the end of meddling in foreign affairs that did not pertain to America. This seems most desirable in this age of hysteria and irrationality.
We’re a big nation.
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