Why Leaders Take Their People to War

[LBJDemocrat]

When Phil Donahue spoke at the end of a screening of his documentary Body of War (which you should see), he said something very astute that I think we run the risk of forgetting. He said, and I'm paraphrasing:

"Leaders know that no one glorifies those who build schools and hospitals. War is what brings them glory; war is what leads people to build statues in remembrance of you."

This is important because, while there are undoubtedly financial interests behind the vast majority of wars, the individual leader is likely to be either partly or entirely influenced by dreams of his own glory. The president is the commander-in-chief; he has generals subservient to him, who must, by law, do as he says. Think of what this means for the individual as president, regardless of what movement he represents. It's in human nature to exert the powers and privileges you are given, and when the media and the president's financial backers (regardless of party, sorry to say) have an interest in war, resisting this nature is all the more difficult.

I say this to remind DUers that war may very well continue, maybe somewhere else and with a different party implementing it. Today's Iraq may be tomorrow's Sudan or, in a few decades, Russia or China.

[LynnTheDem]

1. "and a year from now I'll be very surprised if there is not some grand square in baghdad that is

named after president bush"

-neocon war criminal Richard Perle, Sept 23, 2003

[LBJDemocrat]

2. LOL. Exactly. nt

[LBJDemocrat]

3. Kick

Or rather, "terrorist fist jab."