Posted by Championship_Vinyl at 199.234.88.30 on March 20, 2003 at 10:53:25:
In Reply to: WAR...Brought to you by Pepsi, the choice of a new posted by Elorah Dannan on March 20, 2003 at 10:10:26:
Pepsi already funds war, this and every other war to follow.
As does every other corporation with a bottom line to worry about.
As do all of us, because we're all consumers chasing the "American dream" those corporations offer.
You see, because oil, fighting terrorism, toppling an unreceptive government in order to institute a more sympathetic regime, eliminating dictators who possess weapons of mass destruction – whatever your personal feelings are as to the motives behind this war, it doesn’t matter.
Those reasons and many others are mere pieces of the much larger whole; that is to say, the war we’ve instigated happened because the entire economy of this country depends upon it. America began and has continued to exist as the world economic power as a direct result of warfare. Our first paper currency was printed specifically for use in revolt against English rule. Since then, we’ve been involved in a dozen major, international wars in just under 230 years of existence.
Then when we run out of badguys to beat up on, we declare domestic wars on drugs. Wars on illiteracy. Wars on AIDS. Wars on crime. Just the word "war" has become part of the American vernacular, accurately describing our cultural profession.
Disagree all you want, but if you’re adamantly opposed to fighting a war every decade or two – whether it’s justified conflict or not – I suggest you pack up your shit and move. It’s happening in Iraq, and it will happen again in other parts of the globe, for the remainder of our lives. All the marches and cheesy online "petitions" in the world will do nothing to change that.
Moreover, those feeling obligated to speak out and/or act against war are only revolting against the very lifestyle they’ve blissfully lived since birth, with their cell phones and DSL connections and Collector’s Edition DVDs and twelve-miles-to-the-gallon sport utility vehicles. I seriously doubt the majority of us would renounce all of it in favor of some mythical, utopian society of "world peace," even if we were somehow magically given the choice.
Whether you either oppose or condone war, it really makes no difference, because you, your friends and family, your neighbors, every American you’ve ever known - we’re all warmongers anyway. Our collective lifestyle and the resultant economy demand it. You may as well get used to the idea if you plan on sticking around.
Bottom line, waging war is truly America’s business, and Greenspan says that business ain’t so good right now, for Pepsi or any other mega-conglomerate. Spending billions taking on Iraq will ensure exchange rates remain high on the international market, plain and simple.
I hate to break it to you, but love doesn’t make the world go ‘round. Neither do justice, morality, or compassion. The American dollar does.