Blog Post 9 (creative title, I'm aware), by Annie Deitz

Last week, I wrote in my blog about this lady that I found annoying. Now I'm supposed to discuss the morality of war? I was not expected that rapid dive into deep water, but I can hold my breath for a while, I'll see what I can do.
Transitions are difficult. Specifically when you have the song "War" stuck in your head. Not even the original version, the one that Jack Black sung in the movie adaptation of Gulliver's Travels. War, huh, yeah. What is it good for? Absolutely nothing... unless Hitler threatens to take over all of Europe in order to create the "perfect" society and race while bringing glory to his poverty stricken country, while simultaneously committing genocide.

But seriously, why is war a thing?

Honestly, I don't know exactly what I think about war. Killing counters every religious text I've ever seen, so if we take that as our morality guide, clearly war can't pass? Right?
Wrong. The Bible frequently glorifies wars.

I do not agree with war. I think it should be avoided at all costs. However, there are times when it cannot be avoided, and I have difficulty deciding what those times should consist of. In preparation for this blog, I have created a three point scale to assist in deciding whether or not war is necessary.

1.) Will the predicted outcome of the war result in more or less destruction than dealing with the situation?
Ex. Although the fail safe system was ultimately effective, had it been triggered, the result would lead to the end of the world. I understand that the complete annialation of a country the size of the USSR/US and the death of all of its citizens would be horrific, a nuclear war would have had even more disturbing effects.

2.) Is it among popular opinion? Do a lot of OTHER people (not of whom have similar opinions on other matters) agree?
Ex. People generally are right on subjects such as this. If a lot of people disagree with a war, like in Vietnam, ODDS ARE IT WAS A BAD IDEA.

3.) Do you have a legitimate reason to fight?
Ex. If you and the rest of your friends make up the majority of the population as slaves in a sugar plantation colony, fighting is not completely illogical. However, if you and your rich, privileged, literate, powdered wig wearing friends decide that although your mother country may be trying to pay off a war that they just fought to protect you from enemies, you are above paying a few extra dollars in taxes, then oh do I have some news for you, Tommy J, about our taxes rates in comparison to yours. ( I do want to thank my homie G Wash though, if it weren't for you, I may be drinking tea rather than coffee right now).

I personally believe that the answer to all three of these questions should be yes, but 2/3 isn't bad, especially during desperate times. War is an abstract concept, and it's difficult to set exact limitations. I do not think that any conflict is worth the life of a human being, but sometimes the destruction caused by not going to war outweighs any casualties of war.

I've skirted around all of the questions asked, mainly because I have no direct answer for them. So here is my last thought on the matter:
Everyone should calm down and stop bringing out the big guns (literally) every time the need for communication arises.