Some Defense Ideas That Are Wrong

There is a fictional letter on the internet that’s a put-on, made at first to seem to be written by a soldier who is justifying America’s endless wars against its enemies. The letter is an intentionally satirical letter. At the end, the person writing it is revealed to be a German soldier from World War II. This fiction is designed to make readers think and reject the ideas that are justifying America’s wars. I’ve extracted three ideas from the letter that we’ve heard time and again from American leaders, writers and editorialists. They cluster around the idea that enemies are coming to get us and our goods, and that we require soldiers to go get them overseas. All of these ideas are false as justification for America’s batch of wars since 2001. Can you say why?

1. “…what we have here in our country is attractive to despots, terrorists, tyrants, bolshevists, and religious extremists. They will use any means possible to enslave and control us.”

2. “The peace and tranquility you experience at home is the result of the willingness of brave soldiers to pursue evil wherever it takes hold.”

3. “…the only reason you enjoy your freedom is that rough men like me are willing to do violence to protect you. It is our willingness to put aside our personal lives, sacrifice our liberties, and deploy to the harshest places on earth that allows you to be comfortable at home, to enjoy the blessings of living in the greatest nation on earth, and to have a peaceful and prosperous holiday season.”

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7:55 am on November 15, 2014