The U.S. Misunderstands War

Fear was the rage in the Cold War era. Nations pour into the Middle East with greed. College kids and profiteers use their clout. What does all of this have in common? The system that allows for such groups to act with narrow self-interest, who will use any means to stomp on any who stand in opposition. Illinois' most recent scandal deals with the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana admitting less qualified students into the institution based on their level of clout. The Chicago Tribune investigated admission documents revealing, "politically appointed trustees and lawmakers routinely behave as armchair admissions officers advocating on behalf of relatives and neighbors -- even housekeepers' kids and families with whom they share Hawaiian vacations." The former Illinois Governor arrested for political corruption, Rod Blagojevich was said to have help Tony Rezko's relative to again acceptance into U. of I.

Using clout to rise in the social ladder is only a small instance of the real problem beneath the United State's candy coated surface. Self-righteous by nature, fuel by an indestructible ego, the American system of government is mildly fair to its citizens and ruthless to the outsiders. The bureaucratic red tape makes any kind of reform impossible. Democrats and Republicans are virtually at a stalemate on the health care reform, as 60 people each day die because of a lack of insurance. The voice of the people are muted by politicians acting for their own reelection. With a military backed by only U.S. citizens while more than half of America refuses to support the War in Afghanistan as a national blunder, it seems like the democracy we preach about is failing.

The democratic theory we try to teach extremist nations that the current Obama administration seems to undermine its internal problems in pursuit of other worldly problems. Stationing more U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan is becoming a lost cause. The Afghan insurgents now have control over the war as the opposition ignores the key factors that contribute to misunderstandings and excessive deaths.

Inside the Al-Qaeda Manual, the intent of Al-Qaeda's purpose reads, "We cannot resist this state of ignorance unless we unite our ranks, and adhere to our religion... through assembly, cooperation, and mutual assistance." This seems all well and fair especially as Allah does not permit to cause harm. The issue gets sticky as the members of Al-Qaeda carry through with Allah's order for Jihad. Herein lies critical circular thinking that shows the irrational nature of such extremists. In understanding extremists thought pattern, the upper hand in the Afghanistan war should lean against the insurgents. However, the world still believes in old-fashioned war as "an eye for an eye," which counteracts any true progress in overcoming the Taliban to develop a stable government free from corruption. Until the day war is not used to stop war, never will we be free from circular thinking.

Citations:

1.) Al Queda Handbook

Osama Bin Laden

http://www.usdoj.gov/ag/manualpart1_1.pdf

2.) Clout goes to college

Jodi S. Cohen, Stacy St. Clair and Tara Malone

Chicago Tribune

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/watchdog/college/chi-070529u-of-i-clout,0,5173000.story