Of all the manly virtues, sacrifice can arguably be said to be the greatest. Yet today it is also the virtue in shortest supply. Where men once saw great honor in being asked to sacrifice for a worthy cause, today they spend their time thinking how they might obtain something for nothing. Nowhere is this more manifest than in the sacrifice related to war.
Today we are involved in two wars: the war in Iraq and the war against terrorism. Yet what have Americans been asked to give up for these engagements? Absolutely nothing. Unless you count putting a “Support the Troops” ribbon on your SUV.
This is not a political post. Nor it is about the wrongness or rightness of the war. It doesn’t matter whether you support the war in Iraq or not. In fact, as we shall see, those who most adamantly oppose the war should be the most ardent supporters of shared national sacrifice.
FDR Calls on America to Sacrifice During WWII
America’s leaders have not always feared asking citizens to sacrifice. Five months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, President Roosevelt addressed the nation and asked it to prepare for the long and arduous sacrifice the war would require:
Here at home everyone will have the privilege of making whatever self-denial is necessary, not only to supply our fighting men, but to keep the economic structure of our country fortified and secure during the war and after the war.
This will require, of course, the abandonment not only of luxuries but of many other creature comforts….
Every loyal American is aware of his individual responsibility. Whenever I hear anyone saying, “The American people are complacent-they need to be aroused,” I feel like asking him to come to Washington to read the mail…The one question that recurs through all these thousands of letters and messages is, “What more can I do to help my country in winning this war?”…
Yesterday I submitted to the Congress of the United States a seven-point program, a program of general principles……
First, we must, through heavier taxes, keep personal and corporate profits at a low reasonable rate.
Second, we must fix ceilings on prices and rents.
Third, we must stabilize wages.
Fourth, we must stabilize farm prices.
Fifth, we must put more billions into war bonds.
Sixth, we must ration all essential commodities which are scarce…….
And seventh, we must discourage installment buying, and encourage paying off debts and mortgages.
The blunt fact is that every single person in the United States is going to be affected by this program. ……Are you a businessman, or do you own stock in a business corporation? Well, your profits are going to be cut down to a reasonably low level by taxation. Your income will be subject to higher taxes. Indeed in these days, when every available dollar should go to the war effort, I do not think that any American citizen should have a net income in excess of $25,000 per year after payment of taxes.
All of us are used to spending money for things that we want, things, however, which are not absolutely essential. We will all have to forgo that kind of spending. Because we must put every dime and every dollar we can possibly spare out of our earnings into war bonds and stamps….
As I told the Congress yesterday, “sacrifice” is not exactly the proper word with which to describe this program of self-denial. When, at the end of this great struggle, we shall have saved our free way of life, we shall have made no “sacrifice.”
The price for civilization must be paid in hard work and sorrow and blood.
America responded to Roosevelt’s charge by rolling up its sleeves, getting to work, and accepting the necessary sacrifices without complaint:
Production of non-essential war items was discontinued for the duration of the war. New cars, appliances, bicycles, and the like vanished from the market.
Thousands of items were rationed. From butter and sugar to clothing and stockings, Americans were encouraged to “Use it up/Wear it out/Make it do/Or do without.”
Fuel was conserved. Americans had to drive slower, were allotted only a certain number of gallons of gas a week, and were encouraged to keep their homes at 65 degrees. People took the railroad instead of driving, patched up their old cars, and started car pools.
Towns and schools held scrap drives to gather oil (for explosives), scrap metal, paper, and rubber. Men and women turned in their raincoats, tires, stockings, girdles, and bathing caps. Kids rolled bits of foil and rubber bands into huge balls. Scrap supplied half the tin and half the steel needed during the war.
Women planted victory gardens to take pressure off the food supply. These backyard gardens supplied 1/3 of the veggies consumed each year during the war.
A 5% Victory tax was placed on all incomes. And tax rates in general were increased. The tax rate on the highest income bracket was an eye popping 94% in 1945.
$136 billion in war bonds were purchased-much of these were bought by businesses and corporations-but $36 billion were purchased by ordinary Americans.
Now contrast this amazing effort with what has been expected of the American people during the current war. After 9/11 President Bush did not call on our citizens to make any sacrifices. In fact, he essentially asked Americans to go shopping.
There was no call to join the armed services.
Fuel wasn’t rationed.
Taxes were cut, not raised.
Corporate profits soared.
Personal and national debt continued to rise
Banks and mortgage lenders engaged in shady shenanigans.
What happened to wartime sacrifice?
Of course this is a much different time and a much different war. The forces of good and evil were clearly lined up during WWII. And every aspect of the economy had to be directed into the war effort. Today the war on terror is far murkier and many Americans do not support the war in Iraq.
Scrap drives and victory gardens will not help the war effort this time around. But that doesn’t mean the sacrifice baby should have been thrown out with the bathwater.
Why is Sacrifice Essential During War?
Even those adamantly against the war should still support the idea of national shared sacrifice. Why? Because it will end the war sooner.
Sacrifice reminds Americans that they are at war. Each day, as Americans during WWII plotted out how many miles they could drive, budgeted how many ration stamps they would need at the grocery store, and purchased war bonds, they remembered that their country was at war. Today, not one iota of our daily lives is interrupted by the current war except when we see some blip of news about it sandwiched in between juicy gossip on celebrities. Americans continue to buy their morning latte and zone out to American Idol with nary a ripple of disturbance in their existence.
In this case ignorance is not bliss and in fact prolongs the war in 2 fundamental ways:
1) A war without sacrifice is a morale killer for troops.
Soldiers who put their butt on the line every day deserve to see that their fellow citizens are making at least a token effort to sacrifice as well. When they don’t, the troops tend to feel disillusioned.
Thus, today’s soldiers complain that Americans are ignorant of the war and the enormous sacrifice the soldiers are making to fight it. Sgt. Ryan Wood, wrote this message on his MySpace blog before being killed in Iraq:
WHAT THE HELL AMERICA??
“What the hell happened?” any intelligent American might ask themselves throughout their day. While the ignorant, dragging themselves to their closed off cubicle, contemplate the simple things in life such as “fast food tonight?” or “I wonder what motivated Brittany Spears to shave her unsightly, misshaped domepiece?”
To the simpleton, this news might appear “devastating.” I assume not everyone thinks this way, but from my little corner of the earth, Iraq, a spot in the world a majority of Americans couldn’t point out on the map, it certainly appears so. This little piece of truly, heart-breaking news captured headlines and apparently American imaginations as FOX news did a two hour, truly enlightening piece of breaking news history. American viewers watched intently, and impatiently as the pretty colors flashed and the media exposed the inner workings of Brittany’s obviously, deep character. I was amazed, truly dumbfounded wondering how we as Americans have sank so low. To all Americans I have but one phrase that helps me throughout my day of constant dangers and ever present death around the corner, “WHO THE [expletive] CARES!” Wow America, we have truly become a nation of self-absorbed retards. … This world has serious problems and it’s time for America to start addressing them.
American apathy lowers morale and eats away at the pride and significance that make military service meaningful. And troops with low morale don’t re-enlist and can’t attract new recruits. This strips the military of their experienced leaders, makes the military less effective, and prolongs the war.
2) A war without sacrifice saps citizens’ motivation to end the war.
When a country is called upon to make collective sacrifices, it brings a level of discomfort to their lives, and even those who sacrifice without complaining will push to end the war sooner. Sacrifice reminds citizens that wartime is an anomaly. This creates a national longing for the return to normal life.
But without any noticeable signs of war, people feel comfortable voting to extend the war indefinitely. After all, it doesn’t affect them in the slightest.
The reason that there are not protests about the Iraq War of the same magnitude and scope as the Vietnam War, is that ordinary Americans were actually being called to sacrifice during the latter.
People wonder why there is so much voter apathy. It is real no wonder at all. A war that requires no sacrifice lulls citizens into a stupefied complacency.
What sacrifices should American citizens make to support the war effort?
Ration fuel. The reason we are involved in this mess in Iraq and the Middle East is our reliance of foreign oil. To truly fight terror, the country must become energy independent. True patriots should conserve fuel by driving fuel efficient vehicles, walking, riding a bike, taking public transportation, car pooling, and supporting politicians and polices that support energy independence.
Pay higher taxes. Whether you support or oppose the war does not change the fact that we have rung up a $500,000,000,000 bill thus far. And it’s only going to get more expensive. Yet this is the first war in which taxes have been cut instead of raised. I hate taxes as much as the next guy, but something must be done. We need to either raise taxes or drastically slash government programs. Either way, Americans are going to have to sacrifice and tighten their belts.
Bring back war bonds. Americans have yet to be asked to pay the costs of the war and 40% of its funding has been borrowed from foreign countries, mainly China. This debt is going to hang like a millstone around the next generation’s neck. Why not offer war bonds so that citizens can do something tangible to support the war effort and the government can borrow from actual Americans and American companies instead of selling their soul to a foreign power?
Create a National Draft. A straight universal military draft is not politically tenable. Instead, young people should be drafted and given the choice of either military service or serving in a newly created Homeland Security Corps. Part of fighting the war on terror is making sure our country is safe and secure here at home. Despite efforts since 9/11, our ports, airports, borders, and energy resources are still vulnerable. CNN just did a report which claimed that only 1% of airline flights are covered by an air marshal. There is clearly a need that is not being filled.
Support benefits for veterans. Today it is fashionable for people to say they oppose the war, but support the troops. If that’s how people truly feel, it’s time for them to put their money where their mouth is by supporting greater benefits for those who have served. WWII veterans had 1500% more funding for their education when compared to today’s vets. 1 in 4 vets are homeless. And soldiers are often given inadequate health care and therapy for PTSD. This is a national travesty that needs to be rectified. Soldiers voluntarily put their life on the line every day. They deserve to be handsomely rewarded for doing so.
If the willingness of a country’s leader to ask citizens to sacrifice, and the willingness of those citizens to answer the call is a sure indicator of the health and character of that nation, then our country is on life support. The things which you sacrifice for are the things which you hold nearest your heart. The death of sacrifice is the death of the country’s soul.
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@Tony-
You clearly did not read the entire post and obviously just skimmed over the sections in bold before launching into your tirade.
I feel like a broken record here, but since people cannot sacrifice enough time to read the entire post and the previous comments, I guess I will keep on repeating myself.
This post has clearly been misunderstood. This is not a political post. It is not a post in support of the war in Iraq. I repeat, this is not a post in support of the war!
I personally do not now, and have not ever supported the war in Iraq. But this is not a political blog, and I do not want to belabor my personal beliefs on the subject. It is a place for readers on any part of the poltiucal specturm.
But I do support the troops and I do support peace. As I have repeated ad nauseum those who oppose the war should be the biggest supporters of sacrifice. Because that is how you get people to pressure the government to end it. Without that pressure the war will go on indefinitely. Sacrifice also serves as a reminder to not get involved in future wars. When people experience sacrifice, they will vote more carefully in the future for their leaders. Sacrifice is the path to peace.
To all those who erroneously read support for war and imperialism into this post, I would ask you kindly to point out where you find this. It’s simply not there. I would ask the detractors what it is you plan to do to end the war and how you plan to support the troops? Do you think peace can come without sacrifice? Do you not think anything should be done to support those who lay down their lives for this country?
I have to admit I am quite befuddled by this response.
While I did read the whole post I did not read all of the comments. This simply stated, restated, and re-restated ths same thing over and over.
I am against the current wars. I was intrigued by your statement
those who most adamantly oppose the war should be the most ardent supporters of shared national sacrifice
I was waiting for the explanation. Why would I support national sacrifice? You never really say why.
A little economics would help you as well. If thereis a shortage of something then a sacrifice, whether one agrees or not, is necessary. If there is no shortage why would one need to sacrifice?
I ride my bicycle to work and walk everywhere I can but then I live in France where they add train service and public transportation lines instead of cutting service. I do this whether or not I am asked to sacrifice because it is the right thing to do. I don’t need some idiot president to tell me what to do. That is the real problem. Americans don’t seem to know what is right and wrong so they look to others to tell them. PS I am an American.
@France-
You ask for an explanation of the statement: “those who most adamantly oppose the war should be the most ardent supporters of shared national sacrifice.”
I thought had made this clear, and as you said, said it over and over, but here it is again: If there is no sacrifice during war, than there is no motivation to end the war and to prevent wars. I’m not sure how else to say it. Right now the American people are fairly apathetic about ending the war. And they’re apathetic, because they’re not asked to give up anything for it. They can go about their lives while 5,000 men and women are killed. The lack of sacrifice allows everyone to ignore what is happening. You can bet if they were feeling the pinch of sacrifice everyday, they would be far more politically involved and pushing for a candidate who wants to end the war. Instead the candidate who says we could be in Iraq for another 100 years is neck and neck with the others.
There are no shortages from the war? We have racked up a $500,000,000 debt thus far, gas prices are up to $3.15 a gallon, the dollar is in the crapper, and 5,000 soldiers have lost their lives. Just because you don’t feel the immediate effects of these shortages, does not mean they aren’t real. The payment for these things will come due. And we can’t just stick our heads in the sand and shout about how we oppose the war. Whether we oppose the war or not, that huge war debt will loom over our heads. Unless we sacrifice with higher taxes or less government programs, that debt will eventually crush us.
I agree that the government should not have to tell people what to do in all things. If you notice in my post, the part about rationing fuel is completely voluntary. And this is the sacrifice that I think is most crucial for Americans to make. Yet as you yourself note, getting around without a car is far easier in Europe because of public transportation. And that is something only the government can establish here in the states. And what is it going to take to get it buil?….that’s right, sacrifice.
I read, understood, and appreciated this post. Thank you.
Brett,
My response was a bit harsh but I’ll stand by it. I’m not at all convinced that the way to get Americans to end the war is by asking them to ratchet up their support for the war. However, I’d love to read about manly sacrafice in other contexts like marriage, raising kids, or the classic lifeboat scenario like on the Titantic.
Rodney
I enjoyed this article; it presents a viewpoint that warrants consideration.
Nevertheless, I will be more inclined to sacrifice when I see the self-serving clowns who start wars and by their policies invite disasters sacrifice as much as the serfs out here in the hinterlands are asked to – likewise their sycophants growing fat on government contracts. It seems to me that while the common man stands in line shuffling his ration cards the elite rush about with their motorcades and security details, jetting off on “fact-finding” junkets while we pick up the tab and are always asked to sacrifice just a little bit more. Obviously this says nothing of the kids who sacrifice so much for the megalomania or miscalculation of those in power.
Sacrifice is noble, but in the dehumanizing culture we have built for ourselves, it is more noble when done for family, friends, and the unfortunate individual we encounter – not for some misguided, jingoistic nationalism – let alone attempts to build and maintain an empire that enriches a few at the sacrifice of the many.
Sorry if this offends some – it’s just another way to look at the issue.
While I’ve got the floor – well said Rodney.
Tip T.
“Create a National Draft.”
What sort of neo-con crap is this?
This post has taken a lot of thought to make. and it does point out good points.
I would like to commend this post.
Hi Retarded Americans,
A prolonged war brings loss to everyone. Although this war was ill-planned, and unwanted. I gotto tell you guys one thing, Even if you dont support war atleast support your troops. They are sacrificing the best years of their life for your sake, so that you guys can watch american idol, or drool over anorexic paris hilton and lindsay lohan,
The statemnet by Sgt. Ryan Wood says it all…
“fast food tonight?” or “I wonder what motivated Brittany Spears to shave her unsightly, misshaped domepiece?”
@ Brett, great post. Keep up the good work.
Take Care,
We should be weary all the time, people are lazy, they here that the world is falling apart and they should be doing the same things their grandfathers did and they say nooo. Fighting Germany was enough? I dunno, but really, the people that suffer when we nickel and dime the government are not the higher ups, responsible for this completely bullshit war, it’s my friend Mike, and RC, who, bless their hearts, thought it would be just awesome to join the army instead of staying here and playing Wii with me… Bastards.
NEwaayz, this war is unmainable, end it, and then focus on the economy, raise taxes and fix the shit we can’t handle this as a society. Do you want America to last? I certainly wouldn’t mind it, it’s not too terrible. But seriously, Ipods are for pussies.
@Brett: I am a new reader of your blog and judging by your past 10 or so posts, I believe I will continue to enjoy it for some time. Thank you especially for this post. It really helped me to gain a new perspective on this war even though I am against it. Keep up the good work!
At a minimum, one of the personal sacrifices people should willingly make is to at the very least be better, smarter consumers. For God’s sake, why are people still buying huge gas-guzzling SUVs and the like when there’s such a direct coorelation between petroleum dependancy and the war?
This is just pure irresponsibility in action. Here in Texas, you see an awful lot of rednecks driving $40k quad-cab Ford Lariats, Chevy Tahoes, and other monstrously oversized vehicles for doing nothing more than commuting to work – alone. But the prevailing attitude here – and I suspect most other areas of this country – is something like, “By God, if you ain’t got yerself a big dick truck, well heck, ya just ain’t much of a man, now are ya?” So, what’s most important to most people seems to be keeping up an appearance rather than purchasing a vehicle that’s appropriate to the task.
Of course, this is also hugely irresponsible on the part of the automakers and the marketing wizards hired by them. They’ve convinced the American public that they need big honkin’ SUVs to be safe or look tough. For more than 50 years, American car buyers have been suckered & steered into a fascination with useless and mostly inapplicable performance (a.k.a. horsepower) and it’s time for the automotive industry to end the deception.
I agree so much with Roosevelt’s stance on Wartime sacrifice. The scenario is that a terrible thing was happening in the world that we felt we could squelch, we wanted to help save the lives of the innocent people that were being murdered.
To do so, Roosevelt first wanted stability in America. He was dead on with that desire.
The fact of the matter during this war is before we entered it, innocent lives were not at stake. As it turns out, the result of us entering the war was hundreds of thousands of innocent people shot dead by the hands of my own country. Innocent people that posed no threat to the security of our nation, or the peacefulness of the world.
That aside, our president does not agree with your post. Bush wants, more than anything, for us all to spend every cent we own. He wants as much money moving around in the economy as possible because he believes that is a sign of a strong economy.
Also Bush does not appear to be interested in production in America. Bush happily allows the majority of the products in our country to be made overseas, using oil to ship them here, and buying these products on credit.
Bush is not interested in Wartime Sacrifice.
If this were Roosevelt’s country, and Roosevelt’s war, I’d gladly make sacrifices. For George Bush, and this sham of a war, I’ll do everything in my power to oppose.
Making people sacrifice may turn them against the war but turning people against the war has no effect on policy. Just ask Dick Cheney.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SypeZjeOrY4
I don’t disagree with you but I don’t feel it’s the primary problem either. This country’s biggest problem is a lack of patriotism. Nobody actually wants the country to succeed. We argue and fight all the time and don’t support each other in any way. Democrats and Republicans disagree just for the sake of disagreeing.
Nobody thinks it’s an honor to die in battle. Nobody thinks their country is worth fighting for.
Yeah. Maybe our president is a stupid asshole. But he’s OUR stupid asshole and we voted him in and he needs our freakin support until we get someone else in there.
Look at it this way. When you were in High School you probably thought it was boring and dumb. But if someone from a different school said a word you were ready to crack some skulls for your mascot.
It’s all a matter of patriotism. I don’t like our idiot president any more than the next guy (and I definitely didn’t vote for him) but I’m stuck with him and as long as I am I’ve got his back. If that asshole McCain or Hillary wins I’ll support their decisions too.
We have so much freedom that we’ve become spoiled with it. We can say and do whatever we want so why risk your life for others? It’s selfish and disgusting but true.
Sparta was a military state who’s people lived to serve their country. Why can’t we be a democracy that does the same?
Brett and Kate,
Thank you both for this well thought out and insightful article. The only point that i would contest is the call for a Nation Draft. Since the advent of the Patriot Act my faith in our executive branch to work for our best interest has been bankrupted. If the option of joining the Peace Core or other diplomatic agencies was offered as an alternative to Killing Poor Brown People Duty or Illegal Wiretapping Duty, then I would support your suggestion. Personally, I think that making sacrifices for Peace is as patriotic and manly a goal as one can work towards.
I subscribed to your blog tonight and look forward to your future contributions.
Thanks.
Oddly enough I disagree. One of the main points of war is to reduce sacrifice by “reducing” those that require it of us. Comparing it to World War II is false. It is more like the Barbary Pirates. Wars like that will always plague us-it is the price of being a Great Power. Giving them the psychological effort appropriate for a world wide conventional war is folly. It is like demanding that all civilians make “sacrifices” for the police. And the same argument applies. Their role is to reduce everyone’s sacrifice.
And in any case we can at least be practical about it. Terrorists depend on getting attention paid to them. If the only ones paying them attention are their pursuers then they lose. That is why terrorists seldom succeeded before mass media came along.
If we “support our troops” one way to do so is to be assured enough of their competence not to be upset about the war. Because that will let them do their jobs. It is better to win complacently then to lose sacrificially.
IN AIDE OF BRETT – this may help explain, tho correct me if I misunderstood.
From what I understand, Brett says people need to experience sacrifice during a time of war because that way the war is checked for value. In a sense, only a worthy war would have people be willing to sacrifice for it. WWII people sacrificed for it because it was necessary for securing the country’s freedom. There was a very aggressive force expanding, and definitely, with time, threatening. However, now, the war is so distant from us, it’s so abstract to most people, that it goes underway unchecked. Noone who opposes the war can do anything to show their opposition. Saying you oppose it doesn’t accomplish anything because the government doesn’t listen. Basically, by making sacrifices in only obscure ways, such as national debt, the government has taken away the citizen’s abilities to show their approval or disapproval of the way. I have made huge sacrifices for this war without ever having supported it, because I’ve had no choice.
You see, because the war effort has been distanced from us, all of these people on this blog against the war should see that this separation is the dirty scheme with which this administration manages to carry out this war without opposition! BRETT IS INDEED AGAINST THE WAR. I just don’t think it was clear to people who like to fight right away instead of listen, think, analyze, and use their imagination to extrapolate a very strong point. Here, I have tried to paint the picture clearly for you. I hope you understand now.
In short: Lack of personal sacrifice is lack of ability to vote on approval or disapproval of war. This allows the government to do what it wants without citizenry’s involvement. You should demand for the right to choose whether to make personal sacrifices or not because only then can the massive portion of America that is against the war motivate its end.
@ Jason Taylor
Doesn’t it usually take sacrificing now to reap benefits later?
Also, it’s worth noting that all civilians do make sacrifices for police. We pay taxes, police gets tax money. That’s a type of regulated sacrifice for something that is always present: crime. Here we have a regular sacrifice, moderated, to try to keep crime low or, ideally, non-existent.
Finally, being aware of terrorism and potentially supporting the country’s actions against it through sacrifice is not what grants terrorism success. The country itself supports terrorism with terrible media coverage based on _fear_. Fear is the successful means of terroristic tactics. Not awareness. Our country, if we really wanted to beat terrorism, should motivate the virtue of Resolve: resolve to be aware of terrorism’s potential threat, resolve to make the necessary sacrifices to thwart it’s means and ends (if we deem it a real threat), and most especially the resolve to not become scared nor illogical and especially not ignorant or disconnected in our ways of life.
Besides, are you telling me that the threat of terrorism — which has been painted as such a large threat to our national security — does not deserve our country’s utmost attention and effort of eradication, if it is indeed real? If everything we’ve been lead to believe, if we agree that terrorism threatens our basic human freedoms, our way of life, how can we not ask everyone to make some partial sacrifice in superficial luxuries to secure this freedom for our children? I don’t believe the case is so severe, I’m against this war, I do not believe the threat is nearly so great. But I believe that if this war were right, if it were against a real threat, we’d definitely all want to sacrifice for it to be taken care of, fiercely and resolutely.
With respect to the political argument: I just wish proof were present clearly that would allow each citizen to decide for themselves whether this threat is real or not. It all feels so mysterious and we’re supposed to believe the decisions and promises of people that have a history of tweaking facts and outright lying at times. If we had honesty and disclosure regarding the situation of the world, and if we had competent, well educated citizens, we could trust that the citizenry could properly decide for themselves the severity of what is going on, and that the due amount of dedication and sacrifice would be given to this effort, whatever that quantity may be.
I would like to suggest that “wartime sacrifice” can include working to prevent and/or end a war that one disagrees with. An anti-war bumper sticker is a pittance. Those in opposition to a particular war should dedicate a significant portion of their means to activism.
Expressing one’s opinion and working for an anti-war cause, targeting political opponents and not soldiers, honors the patriots who’ve sacrificed to secure free expression.
“Why not offer war bonds so that citizens can do something tangible to support the war effort and the government can borrow from actual Americans and American companies instead of selling their soul to a foreign power?”
Rash anti-foreign sentiment is knee-jerk and irrational in the 21st century. It doesn’t matter if China or our own citizens hold the debt. It matters that the government should make an effort to pay it back.
Also, I would say to win this current War, we’re going to need Americans NOT to look inwards and be hostile to foreigners. If anything, American strength is from engaging the world. We can start by expanding Arabic language programs throughout the United States, so that we can actually start communicating with the Mid East. The face of the US should not only be a soldier, or worse a UAV . It should be educators, diplomats, and engineers as well.
Sorry for coming to the party late but I took this post at its face value: we’re not being asked to sacrifice for this war. It is very sad that we hear more about Britney’s cootchie or whatever the political gossip du jour is than we do about the sacrifices our boys and girls are making for us.
I saw a photo not long ago of a piece of graffiti on some wall over in Iraq. The essence was “America is not at war. Marines are at war. America is at a shopping mall”.
This is an amazing post. I have been thinking along these lines for a long time now but have not been able to express myself so articulately. The only things Americans have been asked to sacrifice are what we pride ourselves for: personal privacy and liberty (with the Patriot Act), our international leadership and stature (by our poor diplomacy), our honor and morality (by using torture), our promising future (with this debt)…. The list goes on. That we sacrifice these things for material comforts, shows our weakness and vulnerability.
In a sense I agree with this post. I do believe that the “average” American has no concept of sacrifice. However I disagree with one important point; namely this notion that sacrifice at home will bring the war to an end sooner. Here’s a novel idea. Why not defeat our enemies so that the war will end. Rather than put the pinch on American’s on the home front, (wich some say is exactly what our enemies want) why don’t we pull out all the stops and defeat our enemies soundly and completely and thus end the war? The sooner we win, the sooner its over. By putting the “pinch” on American’s back home, what results is a nation that is not necessarily tired of the war effort, but tired of making sacrifices, and thus the carpet is pulled out from under the soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines that are doing the fighting.
As stated, I agree with some things in this post, but some of it just rubs me the wrong way.
The American people have not been asked (nor have they volunteered) to sacrifice ANYTHING since WWII. Their motto is “Let’s put it on the backs of the military schmoe’s, then forget them when the fightin’s over and screw them out of what we promised them when they joined.”
I have come to hate all civilians. All of my friends are ex-military, I have no use for civilians whatsoever. As far as I’m concerned, you can all go to blazes.
I am young, barely an adult, so I will readily admit that I don’t know jack when it comes to true war effort, or even to the true meaning of a country at war. Here in Australia there have been assorted types of tax fiddling, and no one seems to be making much of an effort towards actually doing something at a grassroots level to end the war as soon as possible, except maybe a few letters from groups to assorted political figures.
I see that in order for a war to be over with, certain monetary issues need to be resolved. I hope we in Australia can do something tangible in this respect. Of course we have our own problems (drought and cities fighting with rural farming communities over water rights, the high costs of living due to inflation heading towards recession, the overall rental housing crisis etc) but that doesn’t mean we should leave our troops out in the cold when it comes to monetary and actionable support.
would like to find the civilian gentleman who purchased a watch for me.if you would just write to my e-mail and tell me where you were stationed and when,I would like to make things right
Thank you for this post – An American Sailor in Afghanistan
Actually I think complacency is what got us here. Back in October 12, 2000, when the USS Cole was attacked by terrorists, 17 sailors were killed. There was literally NOTHING done about it in regards to retaliation or any military action. It is probably the motivator for terrorists to carry out the September 11 attacks on the US.
Why didn’t the American public get more rattled about the attack that killed 17 sailors? I’d have to say it wasn’t sacrifice at that time, but a severe lack of focus on what is important.
Someone made the argument that the gov. does not want us to feel the pinch of sacrifice for then it would have to end its policies. I believe that if it is not worth sacrificing for, it’s not worth it. When you want something done, you have to feel it. One may not agree with the war on terror, its phrasing, Huntingtons rediculous theories or neoconservative politicing, but the best thing we can do is support the cause for peace here. If the gulf states promoting terrorist activities and preaching anti-American sentiment did not have oil money to bypass its citizen’s voices with, the world would be a better place. Yes, taxes are necessary to move to get things done, but instead of cursing the president, curse the unproportional dividend going to the Pentagon. Vote for a leaner, meaner fighting machine with competitive military suppliers rather than favorites. If we sacrifice at home, if we accept drafts, we will fight only when it is necessary and we will do it well.
I agree with you that National sacrifice is necessary during a time of war and hold several points in agreement with you. I’m not going to dissect every point of disagreement with you, only one:
I disagree wholeheartedly with you about any form of a National Homeland Security Force.
First, it runs counter to the Constitution of the United States. We a real military and real militias in the form of National Guards. If someone wants to make a sacrifice – a real sacrifice – let him join the military. By the way, I’m on active duty myself and have 17 years in.
Second, every nation that has started a second form of pseudo-military manned by civilians who wanted sacrifice without real-military service turned either socialist or fascist – remember the brown shirts?
Third, it weakens the pool of potential candidates for the military. The military does its best work when given the opportunity to draw upon the strength of America. When given the chance to possibly go to a mountainous range in Afghanistan or a comfortable “post” in the states, today’s XBox generation would prefer the wi-fi connected post.
If there must be a Homeland Security Force, let it be the US Military.
Thank God for the soldiers! This war CAN be won, but not by THIS generation of “Americans.” They’re weak-willed, arrogant, and have no real ability to clearly differentiate right from wrong. They wouldn’t even think of joining the service for a cause which was just and right because they wouldn’t know what one was! The islamic terrorists have been starting this war with the US for decades, not just on 9/11. But we stood by, time and again, and refused to act with appropriate actions to stave off the cancer, so it grew. Now, we have evil islamic extremists, who are totally dedicated to THEIR cause and religion, versus “Americans” who cry “separation of Church and State” when someone wants to say a silent prayer in school! Please! Who do you really think will win this war of ideology and perserverence?! WE are NOT anything like the Americans who founded this great nation. We aren’t even close. “Americans” of today have pushed away the tenets of Judeo-Christian values, which were the very tenents on which this country was based – the very values that gave us our “rights”…and, in doing so, we have created a dangerous vaccuum. I mean, c’mon, do you really think THIS generation could have stopped the Nazi’s in the 40’s??! No way! If this generation had to sacrifice and fight that war, I would be writing this in German right now! No one wants a war! But, some foes won’t settle for anything less. Talk won’t work. Sanctions won’t work. They must be stopped by force first. We gave peace a chance… It didn’t work.
I think that America has great potential but people don’t have access to what is really happening – being fed sound bites instead of discussion of the real issues.
I thought Americans were limited by their constitution against having a permanently raised army(defense force). I was under the impression that was the reason for the amendment about the right to bear arms.
When a country has a permanently raised army it encourages the leaders and those who influence them to look for trouble.
After reading the ebook “Web of Debt” it describes the Western world being held in bondage as fiscal slaves – the bankers control your “federal” reserve by a private bankers cartel that stole the American government’s ability to ” ~ coin and regulate the value of their currency ~ “.
A description of how the “federal ” reserve creates debt through loans that appear out of thin air. More money is borrowed when the government goes to war – creating larger profits for the bankers.
BTW the website where you can buy the ebook is [ http://www.webofdebt.com ] .
If you bought and read the ebook “Web of Debt”, you would realise that a large part of WW2 was really that Germany copied the American concept of creating its own currency, that was in place at the time of President Lincoln. A currency free from the malign influence of the bankers.
This currency is what allowed Germany to regain its strength after being bankrupted by the Treaty of Versailles reparations forced on the losers. The bankers were fearful that they would lose their precious monopoly to control the peoples of the world, and their countries, to be able to steal resources at bargain basement prices.
That was a concise and well written article. Bravo. To all the people criticizing the author, just give it another read. But, keep in mind that he is calling for the same goal as you.
Brett is not agreeing with the war. He is saying we need to feel it so that we will further rethink the consequences of entering into conflict. The only way sure way to cease the fighting is to feel the results of the conflict at home. Wars that are in a foreign land are out of site and for the average American, out of mind.
This board is an area for posting intelligent content. For that intelligent content to be criticized in a way based on faulty interpretations is a waste of space.
To ‘you people’: Stop whining on an internet board and go better your community. Try to show the world that I’m not part of the entitlement generation.
the goverment does nothing but cheat us
I can tell you the main reason that American’s were willing to sacrifice during WWII is that they had just begun to come out of a 25 year long Depression.
as for my sacrifice, I’ll be in Afghanistan fighting this war
“Today we are involved in two wars: the war in Iraq and the war against terrorism.”
Depending on whom you ask, they are both part of the “War on Terror.”
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