"The love of one's country is a splendid thing. But why should love stop at the border?"-Pablo Casals

Prompt: America as Empire?


In Mailers text, he wrote a question asked by Eric Alterman in The Nation, regarding the war in Iraq: What if America ends up alienating the whole world in the process? Bush responded: “At some point, we may be the only one’s left. That’s okay with me. We are America.” (72-73) Mailer also used a statement from Robert Byrd who said:

I truly must question the judgment of any President who can say that a massive unprovoked military attack on a nation which is over 50 percent children is “in the highest moral traditions of our country.” Our challenge is to now find a graceful way out of the box of our own making. Perhaps there is still a way if we allow more time.

That comment from Bush felt very derogatory when speaking of our world as a whole. He basically said, dam the rest of the world as long as we are left standing. I related that comment to the way our society is today. Discrimination and racism are among the greatest contributions to our communities. We are to be in this world and come together as one, and to support, learn from and respect one another. It seems to be discrimination when there are those who choose not to fight and to then turn your back and alienate them from our country; especially those countries that rely on our aid in order for their survival. I also took it that our president was somewhat intimidating when he made the comment that he did. We on the other hand, also rely on others for our own survival needs. I respected the war and still do. Especially for our loved ones risking their lives to serve and protect.

For anyone with or without children, there is no question that Robert Byrd’s statement doesn’t leave you with a heavy heart. Where is the morality when our President can so casually remark that going into battle is the highest moral tradition of our country? It’s not a moral tradition….it’s war! Yes it is moral to stand and fight for the freedom of your country, but the morality of the Iraqi war is slowly fading. Finding a graceful way out of the box of our own making….I don’t see that happening before Bush’s presidency is up.

Not all countries in this world will be like America. Thank God for our freedom and the peace that we share and dwell upon. As for our President, don’t use our military forces to satisfy your ego and claim “CEO” of another country.