1,2,3,4 What Are We Fighting For?

In the past fifty years the United States has sent men into battle in Korea, Viet Nam, Granada, Panama, Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Each time pacifists have been joined in their objections by more pragmatic people. The pragmatists ask, "What are we fighting for?"

Country Joe asked that question in a song written in protest of U.S. involvement in the Viet Nam War. Many people are still uncertain about why "we" fought in Viet Nam. After the Persian Gulf War some asked why "we" didn`t finish the job. Despite the apparent success of the war, some asked, "Was it necessary?"

Many forces shape decisions by our government. Lobbyists are a major force. The AMA, ABA, NEA, NRA, and even the CKAA hire lobbyists. The lobbyists work for special interests. Perhaps no lobby is as strong or pervasive as the oil lobby. Perhaps the question that must be asked is not "What are we fighting for, but rather, WHO are we fighting for?"

[Editor`s note: The current policy of Cedar Key News is that all editorials are reviewed by and approved of by at least three members of our Board of Directors.]