文章基本信息

标题：Sometimes peace isn't possible
作者：Ryan Skogen, Gonzaga Prep
期刊名称：Spokesman Review, The (Spokane)
出版年度：2001
卷号：Nov 12, 2001
出版社：Cowles Publishing Co.

Sometimes peace isn't possible

Ryan Skogen, Gonzaga Prep

What is peace? Is it the ability to get along with anyone, no matter what race, sexuality, beliefs or culture? Maybe. But is that possible? Sadly, I don't believe it is.

I'm not saying that we can't strive to live in a world like that. I just don't believe it's human nature.

For all time, man has had to battle for land and hunt for food, which means we must overpower and even kill to get what we want. It is human nature for people to want to control a situation. Being human and having a competitive character causes conflict.

The United States didn't earn its freedom and rights through peaceful methods, nor can these rights be maintained without action. We are not able to gain anything by saying "please" and "thank you." Regrettably, in today's world, a man's handshake doesn't always mean what it should. Freedom and peace should come hand in hand, but does having freedom mean we will have peace?

The United States has been considered a big brother for good reason. Our country works to maintain human rights and dignity for mankind. During the Vietnam War, the United States stepped in to help protect the Vietnamese people.

In Afghanistan, the Taliban has taken rights away from innocent men, women and children. Is it ethical for the United States to stand by when we could make a difference? Is that not worth fighting for?

Anti-war activists always proclaim a need for more peace, but they come from a country that gives them the ability to have that opinion. The privilege of having your own opinion comes with freedom, and U.S. citizens have fought for that right.

Peace has many levels. On a worldwide scale, peace may never be a reality because of such diversity in beliefs and lifestyle. In our country, every human being should strive to be a peaceful neighbor, much as our country does with neighboring countries.

But if the United States is going to be a big brother to other countries, we must act like it and be willing to get our hands dirty once in a while.