"Is That What We Want in the 21st Century?"

"Is That What We Want in the 21st Century?"

War seems to have this ability to punish the "guilty" at the sacrifice of the innocent. So, we observe the human race continually entering into these great conflicts over and over throughout history. I must ask is it necessary? How has the disconnect form to where disagreements, injustices, debates can not be solved in peaceful ways? This disconnect gives us an sense of entitlement along with justification of violence as a means for a solution in times of mutual disagreement. Yet, the justification of violent acts is dangerous, especially in these times. War has evolved from a dispute between a few countries over several years of gruesome battles to annihilating thousands of people within a few moments by a press of a button. As McNamara states, "We need to think more about killing and conflict. Is that what we want in the 21st century?"

"The Fog of War" addresses realities of war in our time, the 21st century. The lives of millions of people are easily dispensable in times of war as Nuclear war is a reality in our time. We must be more apprehensive upon entering these conflicts because no longer are few countries are at stake, but entire continents. McNamara enlightens the truths of how close we, as Americans, were to total Nuclear War with the Soviet Union. He states throughout his position as the secretary of defense he was in the Cold War as the fear of being annihilated with a nuclear weapons was so realistic to him. How realistic is nuclear war to us? To our men and women in office?

McNamara tells of Castro's willingness to annihilate Cuba in efforts to attack the United States. The idea of one man's power to dictate the lives of millions brews a fear within me. To know our lives could be within the hands of cruel dictator is rattling to our sense of security. We may not be able to change the perception and morality of dictator such as Castro, but we are able to control our own and influence our leaders. We must ask ourselves to rethink this idea of war and our willingness to enter into it, support it. Not only our lives are at stake, but the lives other societies around the world. War in the 21st century, must be handled with tact, apprehension, and virtue for it is diffent beast in this day of age as it effects the lives of billions of people. So now, I ask, "Is that what we want in the 21st century?"