making decisions are true and just.Reflect on History
By Joel Luckey
Life always seems clearer in hindsight. It’s easier to know what should have been done when all the information is there to look at; however, when a choice needs to be made the information is almost never complete. For that reason it is important to reflect on history to learn how to better ourselves now so that we can insure our world’s future.
The Second World War was the most influential period in world history and has affected every person on the globe. This war has changed the way people think and act. Today the terrorist attacks against the World Trade Center and the war with Iraq has also changed the way we think and act.
At this very
moment we are in the midst of events that will alter the very way in which we
think about and how we will proceed in our relationships with the rest of the
world. It is crucial at this moment that we look at our past and challenge
everything that our government tells us. It is with a conscientious eye that we
will know that our intentions when
making decisions are true and just.
In February of 1933 the Reichstag, Germany’s parliament building, caught fire. The facts remain uncertain to who actually started the fire. However, one fact that is certain is the Nazi party had gained a lot by insisting that the act had been committed by communists. The fire instilled fear among the nation’s people. Quickly afterwards, suspected communists were arrested and a state of emergency was declared, removing the basic rights of the citizens until the government had the situation under ‘control’.
Control was easily granted. The nation’s greatest fear was that of a communist revolution, which had to be avoided at any cost, even if they must temporarily surrender their basic rights. This wave of emotion can be attributed to Adolf Hitler’s incredible ability to speak powerfully and persuasively. His speaking ability combined with an immense fear of personal safety allowed Hitler eventually to declare war on those that he believe were against the German people.
It seems very scary to think that the same kind of manipulation could happen again. In fact scare tactics are used all the time on a much smaller level. Some amount of fear is needed in life. When the truth is told the world is becoming an exceedingly scary place. In times of crisis a leader must step forward and lay out the facts for all their people to decide, even when those facts our frightening.
On
September eleventh when the two World Trade Center towers came crashing to the
ground the United States was reminded that the world isn’t always safe. Much
like the Reichstag fire the country was uncertain and fearful. President G.W.
Bush announced that the United States would not be terrorized and that the
perpetrators and anyone that helped them would be caught. In a similar way the
Germans had blamed the Communist party.
Also as the Germans had done in the midst of the confusion mistakes were made. Racial profiling became an issue. A few people were arrested for looking Middle Eastern, infringing upon their most basic rights. It is unfortunate this happened; however, once the confusion lifted many of the people that were arrested records were cleared of never being involved with any terrorist organization.
However, there is a clear distinction between the statements of Hitler and Bush following those events. Hitler had no government to question the truth of his allegations against the Communist party while President Bush decisions were constantly being checked by media, and other
government agencies.
In the aftermath of the conflict that we are in right now, we can be sure that the decisions mad on her behalf have been checked and then double checked. We can not know if there could have been another way to solve this conflict. The test of time in the end will be our only answer.