NikkiO64

Death, fallen economy, and destroying natural resources are all negative consequences that occur due to the United States taking part in foreign affairs. Since the world began, fighting for what one wants has been the way to get it. Nothing has changed other than the fact that technology has expanded, weapons have become more destructive and now they get paid to destroy yet defend their country.

Death is the number one result from war. The United States conveniently forgets this when they send innocent boys, that aren't even old enough to be called men, to foreign wars. Black Hawk Down was based on a near-disastrous mission in Somalia on October 3, 1993 where nearly 100 U.S. Army Rangers were dropped by helicopter deep into the capital city of Mogadishu to capture two top lieutenants of a Somali warlord. President Clinton sent 28,000 soldiers to Somalia on December 12, 1992 in what was said to be a "humanitarian mission" to bring food to starving people. What he failed to realize however, was that the U.S. troops were 'not delivering food', but instead engaging in daily gun battles and bombing raids in heavily populated neighborhoods. According to the International Action Center, in ten months, more than 10,000 Somalis died as the U.S. began fighting with those who resisted. (1) Unfortunately, resistance in the Somali people became common. They have had a long history of defiance. They fought the Italians, French and British for the freedom of their country - and resisted the U.S's attempt to recolonize their country. In total nineteen American Soldiers died that day in a 15-hour gun battle. That's nothing compared to the 300,000 Somalis who died of starvation because it was impossible to deliver food due to the constant warfare, and the 50,000 that died during the battles. Is war really worth the taking of innocent lives? Sometimes helping out just makes things worse.

War is expensive. That's a simple concept to comprehend. Why is it then, that our long line of President's decide entering wars that have nothing to do with us is what's best for "our" country? CNN says that the United States spends $12 billion monthly to Iraq since the war started in May of 2003. (2) This calculates to $5000 per second. The cost of deploying one soldier to Iraq for a year costs $390,000. When the war first began the Pentagon predicted that the war would cost about $50 billion. A White House economic advisor, Lawrence Lindsey, disagreed and estimated that the cost could go as high as $200 billion. President Bush wasn't happy with this statement so he fired Lindsey for saying so. On March 9th of 2008, Linda J. Bilmes of Washington Post stated that the war has hit the $3 trillion mark. (3) She says, "The Iraq adventure has seriously weakened the U.S. economy, whose woes now go far beyond loose mortgage lending." This war has been particularly hard on the economy because it led to a spike in oil prices. Before the 2003 invasion, oil cost less than $25 a barrel, and as of March 9, 2008 oil has spiked to $100 per barrel. Now we all know what gas prices are these days, and as a high school junior with sports and many extra curriculars, the raise in gas prices has really taken a toll. Can we all say, "Thank you government!"

(1). http://www.twf.org/News/Y2002/0119-Somalia.html

(2). http://www.cnn.com/

(3). http://www.washingtonpost.com/

The language of fear has evolved throughout history. It started long ago and has since then grown to be widely known. Arthur Miller used the language of fear when he wrote the Crucible. Many of his characters were known for this interesting yet manipulative conversation technique. Joseph McCarthy used this language when he spoke to people to get his way. Finally, we come to our lovely President Bush that we have all come to know and love. He was smart enough to use fear in order to get re-elected. Miller, McCarthy and Bush are all power hungry people and they use the language of fear to manipulate others, gain power, and preserve their reputation.

Throughout the Crucible, Arthur Miller used his characters to manipulate each other. Hale manipulated Abigail so he could get what he wanted: POWER!! He cornered her because she was weak and she caved easily. "Abigail it may be that your cousin is dying. Did you call the Devil last night?" (pg. 42) He used the language of fear to break Abigail down. Her fear was losing her cousin Betty. Family is the most important thing to most people. Americans are no exception. President Bush realizes this and he took advantage of it to get re-elected. He manipulated the American people into thinking that without the war in Iraq, Americans wouldn't have to worry about their kin in war, because they would all DIE! The Americans began to feel that they had no choice, and would rather take a chance. Once he was elected, and started his term, the American people began to realize their HUGE mistake. By then it was too late. President Bush still uses the language of fear in all of his speeches today...he's been successful so far, why stop? When he wanted the Patriot Act to be renewed, he scared the people into thinking its best for everyone. "There are people in this world who still want to hurt us." Bush makes it seem that he loves America and everyone who doesn't live in the U.S can't stand it. He scares people into believing that without this so-called Patriot Act, America will be demolished. President Bush uses this strategy to gain power of everything and everyone. Joe McCarthy is no different. McCarthy attacked the weak and left no room for recovery. When McCarthy would question people it was one accusation after another...if people would stutter he'd use that against them, saying that they were lying if they couldn't say the answer right away. McCarthy wanted all of the power and he would prey on the smaller ones to get there. "It is important to note that McCarthy did not invent this issue." McCarthy followed in the footsteps of many historical figures and authors including Arthur Miller. President Bush is keeping the "tradition" alive.  

Just like the game of monopoly, the game of life is played the same way by Joe McCarthy, Arthur Miller, and President Bush. They are all after the same thing...power! In the Crucible, Reverand Hale already feels in power but he desires more. "Ah! The stoppage of prayer--that is strange. I'll speak further on that with you." (pg. 41) Hale is so conceited and he's just so darn smart that everyone feels priviledged listening to him. If they get to hear Hale speak and they have his opinion on something, then there's just no other way!! All the townspeople want to listen to Hale and they believe him over their own people. Hale is not stupid however, he knows this and he craves the attention. Which then leads to his overwhelming amount of power. Joe McCarthy also loves attention but he decided to take a different approach. McCarthy doesn't want to have a communist country and he makes sure that it doesn't happen. He used the media to get his point accross and what better way to attack large groups of people and organizations than the media? The power he gained through all of this made him greedy for more. He was on an addiction and he couldn't get off. He just kept going and going until there was nowhere to go but down. He took everything he could. President Bush is a mini-me of this McCarthy guy. Bush has achieved everything he possibly could..including gaining the country's trust and losing it...all in a matter of 8 years. Wow! What an achievement that is! Who else could get 301,139,947 people to put all their trust into a single person, and then have that trust thrown away?! "We ought to be sending a strong signal: If you sabotage a defense installation or nuclear facility in a way that takes and innocent life, you ought to get the death penalty, the federal death penalty." President Bush says this in a very convincing manor. He, however, is a hypocrite. He is sending troops across the world to fight and those troops kill innocent lives to keep theirself alive. It's all one big game of cat and mouse. He has the power to do this though because he has gained strenght and has the authority. This just goes to show what power hungry people can achieve and destroy all at the same time.