America the Great

America as an Empire

Mailer Blog #2

The best evidence that supports Mailer in his conclusion that America is currently at war with Iraq only to build an empire, is simply the attitude of Americans and actions of our federal government and President Bush. Thanks to media and Presidents Bush's inspiring speeches it is almost a known fact today that America " is the best country in the world". This cocky attitude sets off this quest for world domination. The news and media give out many reasons for the war in Iraq. However, none of them seem to make sense to me. One reason is the oil issue, there seems to me like there is somewhere else to get oil and even if not why are we pissing off these people who provide it to us? Another reason was because the way their government is being ran. Why is this America's concern? Not every country in the world is a democracy. We shouldn't force our way of government on another country.

The other most popular reason is that we're trying keep things under control so that no more events like 9/11 happen. But the thing is no one truly knows who is to blame for 9/11. Bush and our federal government have not been open about who is to blame. And aren't we the one's who are sending young soldiers over there, the majority of them being killed or severly injured. This new "We are the best nation in the worl d." attitude is causing us not to look more into the reasons behind this war, because if everyone actually sat down and analyzed these reasons, everyone would see it is about controlling the world, this " America as an Empire" idea.

I see this attitude everyday. On television, driving around town, amongst my peers and adults. Everyone has an opinion about the war and why it is going on, but everyone's opinion is the same in one way : that America's not to blame. U.S citizens are now more patriotic than ever. They support our government by waving flags and having hate towards the Iraqis. When most Americans have no idea what is going on. People are wearing American flags as fashion statements, because it is now a cool thing to be patriotic. Something that was most shocking to me was that anyone who remotely resembled a Muslim wouls be singled out or feared in public. If people would read up on facts they would know that Muslims are peaceful people. The one setting off bombs and making terrorist threats only represent a small percentage. People are so stuck on this cocky attitude that America is the best they don't look at the truth in most situations. I think we should all be like Mailer and question our governent.

Instant Patriotism

Topic: Mailer Mailer Norman Mailor makes many great points in his essay. His views are realistic and original. The details shared about September 11th, were both shocking and disturbing.Imagine talking to a loved one on the phone while planes are crashing into the World Trade Center, your loved one only being miles away from this tragic event. What happened on September was tragic, but as Mailor mentioned in the first couple of chapters of his essay, 9/11 started a newly found patriotism amoung americans. Mailor explains that our nation went through an identity crisis after the attack. People got this new attitude about our country and this strong patriotism. Everyone all of a sudden had American flags and the "Support our Troops" signs.America is now the greatest country in the world.The United States is not to blame for the september eleven attacks.Yet millions of young soldiers have been sent over to Iraq, most of them ending up dead or severly injured.But the attitude is that our nation can do no wrong so all the blame is put on Iraq. President George should not be in office. This new found patriotism is not genuine. It is a mask that covers up all of the unanswered questions about why this attack happened in the first place. Why is it that americans only show this patriotism after something tragic happens. People who are truly patriotic are constantly showing their devotion to their country. People who join the military and the british are both great examples of deep patriotism, because the are loyal and supportive to their country no matter what. Americans now a days never seemed proud of their country until recently after the attacks in New York. Being a democracy, America's people are not questioning the government as they should. Americans have became closed minded and easily subjected to rumors. President Bush seems to be withholding information from us and the rest of the world. There hasn't been any facts or reasons that explain 9/11.There is just the clichethat americans were the victums and that people from Iraq did it as an act of pure hatred. Bush has not given us any reasonable explaination and has not mentioned whether the people responsible have been caught. People need to analyze the facts about all of the recents events aand stop hiding behind this fake patriotism.