SI
SI
discoversearch

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor.  We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community.  If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.
Pastimes : THE SLIGHTLY MODERATED BOXING RING
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  
To: Lazarus_Long who wrote (2576)3/14/2002 7:22:56 AM
From: Lane3  Read Replies (2) of 21057
 
Governments often try to frame their wars in moral tones. Nothing new here. Lincoln didn't particularly care whether the Civil War freed a single slave. He said so. It was hard to get people riled up about "free navigation of the Mississippi", though.

Exactly. I'm not suggesting that framing wars in moral terms is new. Nor that it's not an extremely effective way to get backing from the populace. The downside is in how it plays outside the country both with the enemy and with other countries.

This is a very "popular" war here at home. There was a horrific surprise attack on our soil, after all, and dissent is almost nonexistent. I don't know when our country has ever been so united. So there's no need to frame the war in moral terms to stir up support. The support is already solid. The moralizing plays well at home and may be good for morale, but doesn't really add value in terms of support because the support would be there without it.

So the question becomes how it plays abroad. We have two audiences abroad. One is potential allies. The other is the people who hate us so much that terrorism is spawned. Is the moral framework helpful with either of those audiences? Most definitely not. It disturbs our allies and reinforces the view among potential future terrorists that we are arrogant and insensitive.

I am not saying that what was done to us was not evil. Nor that there's anything wrong with us thinking it evil. Nor that there's anything problematic about our government recognizing it as evil. My concern is about basing the whole thing on morality rather than national interest.

Karen
Report TOU ViolationShare This Post
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  

HomeMailHotSubjectMarksPeopleMarksKeepersSettings
Terms Of UseContact UsCopyright/IP PolicyPrivacy PolicyAbout UsFAQAdvertise on SI
© 2025 Knight Sac Media.  Data provided by Twelve Data, Alpha Vantage, and CityFALCON News