As a Filipino-American born in the States (Minneapolis, Minnesota) in the early seventies, I have lived more than half of my life while my country has been at war. I was born into conflict between the US/South Vietnamese and the North Vietnamese, a war that resulted in one of the most untrustworthy moments in American history. By 1971, over 2/3 of the American population wanted President Nixon to order troop withdrawals from Vietnam.
Fast forward to present day, Obama (and some feel Bush, or Dubya) orders all troops involved in the invasion of Iraq out by the end of 2011. 40 years after our involvement in Vietnam, it appears that, we as a United force stand more apt to fight battles abroad with clerical authoritarianism than handle stateside socioeconomic, education, and environmental issues. The answer to the Iraq enigma is simple macroeconomics, to gain geo-strategic control of Iraq along with its 2nd largest proven oil reserves.
So, why then do so many American folks stand idly in support of our troops without examining the historical involvement the US has had on foreign soil? Is it strictly fear of movements that instill fear and terror. As a 2nd generation immigrant, I can plainly state that I am a true American, 100% through and through, but I question our motives and tactics and our foreign ‘policy’ of bringing peace and democracy to countries that don’t ask for it. To put it bluntly, if a bully on the playground pushed you off of the teeter-totter you and your best friend were riding on, would you not feel pressure to retalliate. What is it about this type of mentality that we think is status quo?
