Blog#6 The Chained Down Anti-War Machine

 

Is it really any surprise that sites like ANTIWAR.COM and The American Conservative do not receive any real traction or publicity like that of Fox News or MSNBC? Is it really any surprise that one would have to go out of their way to find such sites? (It could be argued that ANTIWAR.COM's poorly optimized site could play some role) Is it really any surprise that we never hear any strong anti-war voices in the mainstream media?

I don't think that it is. After all, there is always a common denominator when there is conflict; that common denominator being the moolah, the money. There is money to be made when we are at war, and when we go to war. There are so many parties interested in war that the strongest anti-war voices often go unheard. Why though would anyone want to go to war? Well, it's both a simple and complex answer, the simple answer is that they want things. The more complex answer has to do with people in power wanting more of it, and the people with money wanting more of it also.

Those in power in this country have an interest in obtaining more of it, and those who have money have an interest in making more of it. When there is war, there are highly profitable defense contracts handed out. War makes for great television, it makes for great news. Broadcasters have no reason to want war to end. As long as there is a conflict there is money rolling in. Finally, the government has an interest in being at war. For one, the president retains war-time powers. Apart from the president, when we are at war, the government is able to violate our rights; and get away with it.

While at war, the government is allowed to restrict our civil liberties to seemingly the point of excess. There is an incentive for the government to be in a constant state of war. There is an incentive for the press to not feature strong anti-war columnists and commentators. War makes money and gives power. However, war also takes money and spends lives. Strong anti-war voices will never be a part of the mainstream in America because the most powerful industries and government profit from it. The only thing that will get us out is enough of us waking up and taking them to the ballot box.