What is it Good for? -Hope Reed

At this day and age, war seems inevitable. 222 out of the 239 years that America has been considered its own nation, we have been involved in some type of war. That's 93%. 

Though I do believe, in some instances war is the only way to go about addressing a foreign problem, I believe that war is an overused, hypocritical way to go about "making peace". Since the definition of peace is freedom from war, I don't believe we should reach peace through war... it makes no sense. Countries now-a-days just resort to war if there are any conflicts whatsoever, and it's unnecessary to the utmost degree.

Terrorism brings up a whole new side to war. I believe in justice to an extent. In the instance of 9/11, I don't think we could've ignored the fact that thousands of innocent Americans died, just because of these men's hatred towards our country as a whole. I think Bin Laden and his fellow al-Qaeda members should have rightly been executed, yet I do not believe that we should have gone on killing thousands of middle-easterners who are also innocent. That's just wrong. Innocent human lives are precious, and killing one who did nothing to hurt our country or our people is flat out immoral. 

I respect the lives laid down for my safety. And I definitely respect anyone who is risking their life right now for the United States. That's bravery at its best. And I look up to all of the participants in our military. War has an everlasting affect on the men who fought in war. I actually know a man who fought overseas who has PTSD, and it's not pretty. War is not fun or cool or in any way pleasurable for anyone. It strips away the layers of humanity, exposing vulnerability. I see it unlikely that there will ever be world peace, but if there ever is, what an extraordinary sight that will be.