Camden Central High School
Camden, TN
Teacher: Wanda Allen
Preemption or Prevention
By: Lindsey Williams
12th Grade
Since the beginning of time there have been only 7 declared wars. It's been over 2000 years and only 7 declared wars…you'd almost think that we were peaceful. In a world where all you hear is beauty queens, asking for World peace it is pretty ironic. Sure, there have been many other wars but when only a few have been actually declared then it makes you think that our country has a pretty good hold on what's going on today and also everything that has happened in the past.
The biggest thing that is going on today is the citizens of the United States criticizing President Bush. They are saying that he did not do enough to prevent the September 11th attacks. They say that our security wasn't up to par, that there were too many cracks in the security system and that all of this could have been prevented if President Bush had made sure that our national security was one hundred percent completely error proof. Is that possible? For there to be absolutely no holes in the system? I am sure there is not. However, even if this could have been prevented it still happened; and I think that our President has done the best he can to fix the problems with the war on terrorism. The war is over but we still have soldiers over in Iraq to help settle their country down now and show them how to live in a better government where they will have more freedom than they ever imagined. To give these people this, I believe, is a special gift that our country has sacrificed hundreds of men to achieve and even though they might not all understand why we are still there they one day will and will thank us for our help and maybe see how the world could be a better place if we all tried to help each other out a little more every now and then. Thanks to our country they might help someone else out in the same way we are helping them and by doing that I think that we are helping to prevent wars to come.
I think that a good example of our country preventing war would be the capture of Saddam Husien. Saddam had been on the run and hiding for almost a year. Therefore, he obviously was hiding something. I believe that by catching and holding him captive we might be preventing a war because of his comments on the access to weapons of mass destruction. They had been saying these things for years and even though nothing ever happened in those few years, a war does not just begin overnight. If he was to decide to use these for any reason against us then that could have possibly created world war III and I have always heard that when this happens the weapons that we possess along with everyone else’s would be enough to destroy the world or at the least most of the world. So definitely, by his capture, we have prevented war.
I believe that war could be replaced with compromise. War always begins over some little dispute and gradually grows larger and larger. It is in the hands of our leaders. If they all agreed to something, we would save the lives of millions of men and women soldiers not to mention the innocent victims that happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. I'm sure that the compromise wouldn't make either side overjoyed but would war actually be any better? Would they get more satisfaction out of killing millions that have nothing to do with the dispute in the first place, but who are victims of their leaders ignorance and who are still willing to fight for their country? I think an attack on a country is like two little boys fighting ion the schoolyard. They are both fighting because of their pride and unwilling to work with each other to settle it before they cannot control what is going on anymore. I know that war is a complicated thing and that I do not fully understand all of the aspects that you have to look at. I was only 16 when the planes hit the twin towers. I could not understand why anyone would be so hateful as to kill innocent people to make a point. I think that people just let the hatred get the best of them when it comes to war. I know that war will continue throughout time and so will hate but maybe one day compromise will come into the picture also.
Questions
Q 1. What does the Prime Minister mean by “politics of globalization”? He wants to use the “power of community” to do what?
Politics of globalization means the argument of globalization. It is driven by people in communication, in technology, in culture, and in recreation. There also has to be globalization for the internet, information technology, and television. Unknown forces rule it, and people don’t like that.Tony Blair wants to use the power of community to combine globalization with justice.
Q 2. Greaves Whitney singles out three Democratic presidents in his articles. Name them and explain why they are mentioned.
Greaves Whitney singled out John F. Kennedy, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and Bill Clinton. The reason he discussed these three former presidents was because they all had a policy of preemption. He wanted to prove that preemption is not a new concept. Some of our most well-known and well-liked presidents have used preemption, and we survived. It didn’t ruin our country.
Q 3. Alexis de Tocqueville was mentioned in the Economist article. Name three qualities de Tocqueville found exceptional about Americans.
Alexis de Tocqueville found three qualities that were exceptional about Americans. We are exceptional because we have a vociferous democracy, decentralization, and the intensity of our people’s religious beliefs.
Q 4. Will it be better for the world if America succeeds in bringing stability, prosperity, and even democracy to Iraq, or if it fails?
I think it would definitely be better for the world if we succeed in bringing stability, prosperity, and democracy to Iraq. Since we have taken the lead and stood against what is wrong and evil, it is imperative that we succeed. The world needs to view us as a superpower, not just another country that stands by. If Iraq turns out to be a democratic nation, who knows what good could come out of that. There are so many untapped resources in Iraq. I know that they could make a contribution to the world economy eventually.
Q 5. Is it American competence that is feared, or incompetence?
I would definitely say that some countries fear our competence. We are such a powerful nation by means of military, intelligence, and political power… what’s not to fear? If a country has something to hide, we will know about it. Countries definitely fear our power, but I think that they also should be comforted by it.
Q 6. If America were to withdraw hastily from Iraq, under the pressure of attacks, would that be a sign of humility or a devastatingly irresponsible act?
First of all, I don’t think we would “hastily” withdraw from Iraq. We are the ones who started the war, so it is our responsibility to help finish and clean up. It we did withdraw after being attacked, I think it would be a sign of humility. We would get the point that the Iraqis don’t want us there anymore. I think we would get the hint and get out of there so we wouldn’t risk any more American lives.
Q7. What is it about America that the writer claims is likely to make it even stronger in the future?
I think the fact that we are willing to stand against what is wrong and to do something about it definitely makes us stronger. It shows that we are a nation of compassion and a nation of our word. We don’t just say we are going to take action, we do. This proves to other nations that they shouldn’t mess with us because we aren’t afraid to take action.
Q 8. Name three U.S. Senators who expressed concern about expanding the doctrine of preemption.
Senator Feingold, Senator Byrd, and Senator Hagel
Q 9. State Senator Feingold’s definition of preemption and prevention. How does he describe the difference between the two? Do you agree with the Senator? Explain.
Preemption is knowing that an enemy plans an attack and not waiting to defend oneself. Prevention is believing that another may possibly attack, or may desire to attack. The difference is having information that an attack is imminent and believing that a particular government is hostile towards the United States and continues to build up its military capacity. Yes, Senator Feingold’s definitions are accurate in my eyes. Preemption is knowing that another country is going to attack, so you defend yourself. Prevention is believing that another country could possibly attack. The difference is knowing for a fact and just believing.
Q 10. In your opinion, would the world in which the most powerful countries engage in preemption be a safer world? Explain.
Yes, I think when a country has power, and they know that another country will attack them that they should be aggressive. When this happens other countries will realize that they shouldn’t mess with that country because aggression is sure to follow. This will create a safer world. Not as many countries will be willing to risk an attack.
Q 11. In your opinion, would such a world be one in which our national values would thrive?
Yes, I think so. Our nation takes pride in our power and innovation. We are so powerful that other countries aren’t willing to attack us because they know they wouldn’t stand a chance. People would be forced to consider a more peaceful route, such as negotiating differences or even implementing a democratic society.
Q 12. In your opinion, would such a world be one in which terrorism would wither or would it be one in which terrorist recruits would increase in number daily?
This type of world would be one in which terrorism would wither. Terrorists would know if they took the offensive and attacked, there would be a price to pay. Terrorists would get what was coming to them. Countries wouldn’t just sit back and take it. They would attack the terrorists.
Q 13. Discuss three reasons to favor the doctrine of preemption.
The first reason that I support the doctrine of preemption is because it will warn other countries not to interfere with us. The Monroe Doctrine told European nations to stay out of our business, and having a doctrine of preemption will do the same thing. Another reason that I support the doctrine of preemption is because we are capable of doing so. Our nation is so powerful in so many diverse areas. It would be crazy to sit back and let another country attack us. The third reason I support a doctrine of preemption is because we are a caring nation. If we see another country suffering we are going to step up and do what’s right-no matter what any other country says.
Q 14. Who said “The trust and the temptation are too great for any one man.”? What was the context?
Madison said, “The trust and the temptation are too great for any one man.” When Senator Byrd made that comment, he was referring to the President. He said that because he doesn’t want Congress to just go along with whatever the President wants. He wants Congress to talk it out and debate it and decide on what is right.
Q 15. Senator Byrd voiced a great many concerns regarding preemption. Name six concerns that you share with the Senator.
What will be the cost? How many men and women do we expect will become casualties if this country goes to war in a preemptive strike against Iraq? What is going to be the cost in dollars? What is going to happen to Israel? What is the image of the United States going to be? What is going to happen to the people of Israel?