Give War a Chance

Antiwar peace advocates often contend that war never solves anything, yet history fails to bare this out. Since the dawn of time warfare has done little to impede human progress, and quite often accelerates it.

History gives numerous examples of wars fought for noble reasons. One has only to look at America's own wars for recent cases. The War of Independence from Great Britain gave rise to a form of democracy and human liberty which has spread throughout the world. The Civil War saved America from becoming a collection of antagonistic states and brought freedom to a long-suffering race of men. The US intervention in both world wars in the last century saved Western civilization and gave rise to an unparalleled era of prosperity and peace for most of the world.

War often brings out the best of humanity. Our greatest leaders have risen to prominence during times of armed conflict, including Washington, Lincoln, and Roosevelt.

In contrast peace efforts have often demonstrated a sign of national decline. British and French appeasement of dictatorships in the 1930's led to their decline as world powers in WW 2. America's attempt at detente with the Russians in the 60's and 70's came at a time of massive arms buildup by the Soviets and almost led to the wrong side winning the Cold War. Also, the American pullout from Somalia in 1993 by President Bill Clinton greatly emboldened Osama Bin Laden and Al Qaeda terrorists to instigate the current War on Terror, September 11 2001. Bin Laden, with good reason believed America would cut and run as usual from the Middle East when faced with any casualties. Mercifully there was a President in the White House with a caliber of Lincoln and Roosevelt when we were attacked and now stands defiant against defeatist and armed foes alike.