Friday, October 23, 2009

Blog #24 - Free speech in times of war?

During the Great War, the United States went to great lengths to stop people from expressing their views on the war and the draft. According to historian Sean Dennis Cashman, Wilson that war "required illiberalism at home to reinforce the men at the front. We couldn't fight Germany and maintain the ideals of Government that all thinking men shared...once led into war, [Americans] will forget there ever was such a thing as tolerance" (505).

So, in order to set Europe free from tyranny, the government had to restrict more of Americans' rights. Historian Howard Zinn has written at length that part of this suppression was done to keep Americans from expressing their anti-war sentiments/feelings:
- Why should we get into a war that we have no interests in? This is only about European colonialists, not U.S. interests;
- Why should I be drafted to go protect France or Belgium? (only 73,000 volunteered in the first 6 weeks after Wilson declared war on Germany in April 1917);
- Why should we spend millions and millions of our tax money to do this?;
- Why should we join a war that current French soldiers are beginning to mutiny against? (in essence, why we should we join a losing fight?);
- Why should we break away from our tradition of isolationism? It's served us well for this long (if it ain't broke, don't fix it);

So Wilson and Congress together got tough on this kind of anti-war talk and anti-draft interference w/ the Espionage Act of 1917 and the Sedition Act of 1918. The Supreme Court affirmed that we do NOT have the right to free speech as long as it creates a "clear and present danger" (much like yelling "FIRE!" in a crowded theatre like Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes jr. so eloquently phrased it in the 1919 court decision, Schenck vs. U.S.).




A speech like this one by Eugene Debs is the kind of thing that got him in trouble and thrown in the big house:




"Wars throughout history have been waged for conquest and plunder. ...the
working class who fight all the battles, the working class who make the supreme
sacrifices, the working class who freely shed their blood and furnish their
corpses, have never yet had a voice in either declaring war or making peace. It
is the ruling class that invariably does both. They alone declare war and they
alone make peace. They are continually talking about their patriotic
duty. It is not their but your patriotic duty that they are concerned
about.
There is a decided difference. Their patriotic duty
never takes them to the firing line or chucks them into the trenches.
"
(emphasis added)

*Debs was sentenced to jail for this speech and while in jail ran for President under the Socialist Party for which he received almost one million votes in 1912 and in 1920! Website for Debs: http://www.eugenevdebs.com/


But my question still remains:
1. is questioning your country's conduct during a war o.k.?
2. Should asking questions about how the war is conducted, about the tactics being used (torture, waterboarding, etc.), about how the goals are being met (or if they're being met at all), or is it all worth the sacrifice of all the young men and women's lives??
3. Is this line of questioning during war time o.k. or does it make you unpatriotic? Why?


Due Monday, October 26. 200 words minimum.

66 comments:

Anonymous said...

Jennifer Levin
1st hour

When people ask questions or speak about the war, they are not physically interfering with the war or causing problems; they are simply stating their personal opinion. People should also be allowed to ask questions about the war and openly talk about why they think it should or shouldn’t be going on. They are a part of this country just as much as anyone else in America is, and they should be able to acquire information about the war as they please. Men fighting can be killed, tortured, injured, or missing, and Americans have the right to know about the tactics being used in the war. Young men were being forced to register during World War I against their will, and possibly drafted as well, so they should have had at least one thing that they had control over, including their speech rights. Questioning the war does not make you unpatriotic because it doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t support your country if you criticize or question the fact that it is going to war; it just means that you don’t support the war(or you would like to know more about it). The only thing that would make you unpatriotic would be if you supported other countries involved and you were personally rooting against your own. People shouldn’t have to be punished for speaking their mind; words won’t have any significant effect on the events of the war.

Anonymous said...

1) I believe questioning your governments conduct during a war is o.k. because questioning your governments conduct during a war is one of your rights as a American citizen, the freedom of speech. I also believe you should be able to question your governments conduct during war because the government’s decisions effect you but you might not have a say in the matter.

2) I believe asking questions about how the war is being conducted is o.k. because if you think the way the war is being conducted is wrong or could be settled more peacefully you should be able to say it. If you think the tactics being used like torture is wrong or not harsh enough you should be allowed to say it. You should be allowed to say that you don’t think that goals of the war are being met or you think that the goals that the war is trying to get are wrong you should be allowed to say it. I also believe you should be able to say weather or not you believe the war is worth the sacrifice of all the young men and women's lives who are fighting for it.

3) I believe this line of questions during wartime is o.k. because it is you right as a American citizen.

Damien Dorre/5th hour/10-23-09

Anonymous said...

I think that it is ok for some poeple to question the conduct in war because sometimes in war they invade villages and kill innocent people and ruin familes lives. Also I think that it is not ok to question the troops in the war because they are risking their lives to help out us and our country become a better place. I think thattorturing soldiers is wrong because that is a brutal way to die and anybody that risk their life for their country shouold die by being shot and not being tortued into death.Sacraficing young men and womens life is very wrong because each soldier has a family and if that soldier dies that is also hurting their families hearts. I dont think that questioning the war wong make you unpatriotic because you can not like the war but you should always support the soldiers that fight for you. Even if you dont like the war you dont have to talk about the bad things in war because that would just scare the soldiers and people that are wanting to become soldiers in the future.

ADam Pauley 1st hour

Anonymous said...

1. I think questioning your country's conduct during a war is o.k because people are just voiceing thier opinion it doesnt do no harm to the war itself.Also the people should know whats going on in the war even though sometimes it has nothing to do with but we should know.

2.Ithink it is ok to question the tatic of the war because if a young men or women lost thier the family should have the right to know that he/she is dead.Tortureing people is terrible because physically people cant handle the pain and wish they were dead so they wouldnt go through the pain.I also think the government shouldnt lie about why we are going to war because ur putting men and women into danger.

3.Of course its ok to ask questions it doesnt make you unpatriotic you live in the u.s you have a right to ask questions freedom of speech.

quinton furman
3rd hour

Anonymous said...

1. Questioning your country’s conduct during a war is okay. We now have a simple freedom of speech amendment, so we can say whatever we want to say about whatever subject we want to say it about. And what about “by the people for the people of the people”? Aren’t WE the people? I’m pretty sure the people have the right to voice their opinion in their country’s affairs, making it okay to question the country’s conduct.
2. I think asking questions about the tactics and the goals that are being met in the war is okay. Obviously if Americans are asking questions about how the war is going, they care about what is going on with their country. Americans deserve to know what their country is doing in war, because soldiers and the government are just the representatives of the U.S. in war. The actual U.S. isn’t made up of soldiers and politicians; it’s made up of the real people that want to know what’s going on.
3. These questions during the war are fine; if they are asked it shouldn’t be thought of as unpatriotic. The fact that Americans are questioning the motives of the war means that they care about what their country is getting into, making them more patriotic than actual politicians (because they weren’t thinking too much about the U.S. when entering WWI).
Sydnee Cohen
5th hour

Lizzy said...

1. Questioning your country’s conduct is okay during war. It is your fellow citizens that are in danger during the war. If you believe that your country is not keeping those who are actually in the war safe, then you should be able to speak out to make it safer for them.
2. Asking questions about the tactics being used should be allowed. One of the freedoms of the U.S that we believe all should have is freedom of life. If we believe that our country is violating someone’s right of life then we should have the freedom to speak out and fix it as citizens of the U.S. It is not worth the sacrifice of American soldiers to let them carry on and constantly be hurt and in danger.
3. It is okay to question during war to a certain point. Just because you do not think war is the proper way to fix things does not make you unpatriotic. This is because if the country’s ways of doing things are not ever questioned and controlled then it could go out of control and be dangerous to others. At a certain point, however, it is not okay. This point is the line between specifics, like things a spy would want to know, and unspecific tactics.
-Lizzy, Hour 1

Anonymous said...

Luke Rappley
1st Hour

1.No I don’t think questioning your countries conduct during war is ok. I think this because it would be very hard for the government to make decisions about the war if citizens were talking about how bad the government is doing. The president already has to make tough decisions and if people are making comments about how bad he’s doing and stating their opinion in a negative way then it will make those decisions even harder.

2.No I don’t think asking questions about how the war is being conducted is ok. The tactics that are being used are up to the government to decide and not the citizens. The less people complaining about the progress of the war and the tactics the better. When talking about the sacrifices the young men and women make that is their decision and if they want to risk their lives for their country then they will.

3.It depends on how you question the government during war time. If you say it quietly to your friends or family then it is fine but if you are having a protest or are making a scene about your opinion then it is too much.

Harshita Pinnamaneni said...

During a war, I think it is okay to question your countries conducts. By questioning it you are only offering a personal opinion that also probably represents the thoughts of many people. Also questioning our countries conducts could just be used to find out why we are going to war, and why we are doing certain things, because not everyone knows exactly what is going on the Government. Limiting people's freedom of speech during times of war is unconstitutional, and the constitution is what makes the basis of our country. Also during times of war is probably when there are alot of different views of war. I think that if people want to they should ask questions about the war , about the methods being used, and about if we are reaching our goal, because as being part of America they deserve every right to know what is going on, what America is participating in, and how it will effect America and possibly there lives. And also if no one questions war conducts then they may only get worse, and that may only cause more danger for the lives of many men and women. Finally, I do not think it makes you unpatriotic to question conducts of war, in fact I think it makes you even more patriotic because it shows your concerned about America's ways and methods, and it also shows that you want what is best for America and for many people of America.

Harshita Pinnamaneni
1st Hour
10-25-09

Anonymous said...

I believe that questioning your countries conduct during a war is okay. I believe that when people express their personal opinions, they are neither harming nor effecting the government and war. Plus, speaking out like this is one of the freedoms that a human has, the freedom of speech. This freedom allows a human to say what they want whenever they want. I also believe it is all right to ask questions about the tactics used. Many men and women died in this war, and their suffering families should be able to know why it was worth their deaths to defend our country. To many people, torture tactics are very wrong and they should be able to express their opinion on why they think this is unjust. If people believe they have a way to make the war less violent and less gruesome, they should be able to say it. Questioning during the war does not make you unpatriotic because the men and women that criticize the government does not mean they do not support their country.

Jake Balicki
3rd Hour

Anonymous said...

Rudy Schreier 1st Hour
1.I believe that questioning your countries conduct during a war is perfectly fine. There’s no way millions of people would agree with a war, so therefore, it should be ok. The United States is supposed to be a free country and it’s only right to let people think whatever they want to think.
2.I think asking questions about the wars tactics is ok because everyone should know what is happening in the war and how we’re handling it. If we start torturing people, everyone should know so that the country is being honest. We should also be able to question the wars goals which could also be a very important fact on whether to side with the war or not. Also, we should be able to ask about the men’s and women’s lives being put at risk, so people could decide if they want to join the army or not and its also just a good thing to know.
3.I think this line of questioning definitely doesn’t make you unpatriotic. If we Americans were only allowed to like the war and support it, we wouldn’t be a free country where everyone can have their own opinions. It’s only right that not everyone would agree with the wars goals and decisions, but that certainly doesn’t make them unpatriotic.

Anonymous said...

1. Yes, questioning your country’s conduct is ok during war times. As Americans, we have the freedom of speech with the 1st Amendment. This gives us the right to ask anything that involves our country. When we go to war, it is the taxpayer’s money that is funding this. We should be able to know exactly where our money is being spent on.
2. No, asking these questions is not worth the sacrifice of all the men and women that are risking their lives for us. Even though we have the right to ask, it really won’t change the situation. Many people voice their opinions about being against the war in Iraq, but that didn’t bring the troops home. If the government feels we need to be at war, we do not have a say. We can only wait until a presidential election and vote for someone that has our beliefs.
3. Yes, it is ok to ask questions and still be patriotic. The two things are not dependent on one another. We ask questions because we can and we are only concerned with what is happening with our country. If we didn’t ask, we wouldn’t find out anything. Being curious and wanting to know does not mean we do not stand by our country and are not patriotic. We will be patriotic whether we agree or disagree with what decisions are being made.
Ashton Botsford
1st hour

Anonymous said...

1: Questioning your country’s conduct in the war is perfectly fine. Were not effecting the war by stating our opinion, no one has to listen if they don’t want too. Your opinion isn’t physically affecting anyone.
2: Asking questions about the war and how it’s conducted is fine. Were all American so we should be informed about what’s happening to our people or what there doing. We should be updated about the war just how the people fighting are. Just because were not fighting doesn’t mean we have any less of an interest or feelings in what is going on.
3: Questioning during war time doesn’t make you unpatriotic. Your still supporting the Americans you just have different views and opinions on the war. As long as you still support the American troops then you can speak your opinion. Some mean comments could just be because people aren’t informed enough and don’t actually know what’s going on.

Melissa Pace 1st hour

Anonymous said...

Ryan Williams
3rd Hour

1. I think questioning your country’s actions during war time is ok; I feel this way simply, because of the 1st Amendment, which addresses the freedom of speech. I think that these people questioning the country’s actions are just voicing their opinion, and are just exercising their freedom of speech. I think these people aren’t anti-American, they’re just either against the certain war going on, and the reason we’re in the war; or they’re just anti-war in general.
2. I think we need to ask questions like the ones asked in question 2 to assure we are doing the right things, and we are efficiently fighting a war. I think we need to do this so we know we have an exact plan going into a war, and don’t suffer another huge loss like in Vietnam. We also need to know these things so we can limit the loss of our soldiers, because its proven that when you have a plan laid out, and know your specific tactics, operations, exc., less soldiers loss their lives, which is always good.
3. I don’t agree that this line of questioning during war time is unpatriotic, because the questioners and protesters, even though against the war, don’t want the US to lose. These people still feel bad/sad about the loss of a local soldier, and if the US suffers a loss in a certain battle they don’t jump for joy either. These people just don’t agree with the reason we’re going to war, and that’s okay.

Anonymous said...

1. I think questioning your country’s conduct during war is o.k. to state your opinion about the war because there is no problem stating your opinion and your not causing harm or anything. All your doing is stating how you feel and what you think, your not saying anything bad. Your not saying anything that will affect the war at all, you’re just stating your opinion.
2. I think asking about how the war was conducted like about the tactics being used and how the goals are being met and is it all worth the sacrifice of all young men and women’s lives, it is o.k. to ask those questions. Why isn’t it? If a young man had died in the war, then I think the parents of that child should be able to ask if hoes ok or how he’s is doing. They might not even know that he had been killed in the war without asking questions. You should be able to ask what tactics are being used, why would you not be able to? All your doing is just getting information about the war. But I could see that they don’t want you to ask questions because there could be spies that are asking one side of the war and going to tell the other side of the war their tactics.
3. No it does not make you unpatriotic to ask questions about the war because it doesn’t mean that you are against it, it just means that you don’t support the war, or give a helping hand for the war.

Scott Crosthwaite
5th Hour

Anonymous said...

1. I don't see why it would be a problem, people are aloud to speak freely. If someone is agents it, then there entitled to there own opinion. we learned in class people who spoke out about going to war was bad they were fined or went to jail. I don't think that is
Right if it’s right to be able to talk freely that’s why we have freedom of speech.
2.i think Americans should be able to know what ever they want to know about the war. I think water boarding should not be used unless it has to do with American getting hurt. The only reason we should send in are army of men and woman is if it has to be done. By that I mean if another country is intending to hurt are country or one of are close allies then we should not sacrifice the lives of the young men and woman of this country.
3.i believe that questioning the war is okay because it's your opinion as an American to be able to. I feel it might make you seem kind of unpatriotic because we already made the choice to go to war and if they made that choice it must be a reasonable reason to go to war then.
Blake Groskind
Hour: 1

Anonymous said...

I do think it is okay to question your countries conduct during war. No matter what their position in the country is, citizens opinions should always be taken into consideration when trying to decide what is best for your country. People should be aloud to voice their opinions on things they disagree with. Not only do I think that questioning your country during war is ok, but I think it is good and can be beneficial. I think asking question about how the war is being conducted is okay. As citizens of the country at war, we have the right to disagree with how the war is being conducted. We should not have to keep our opinions bottled up and we certainly shouldn’t be punished for trying to make our opinions heard. When there are tactics (such as torturing) being used that are just inhuman, we should speak out against it to try and get it stopped. We also certaintly have to think about whether the war is necessary. We need to think about whether or not our gains will exceed our losses, especially since we are dealing with the lives of other people. Speaking out during the war does not make you unpatriotic. Just because some people disagree with the war or things connected with the war, doesn’t mean they have lost faith in their country and therefore I think it is one hundred percent okay to question your countries conduct during war. BRAD BENGHIAT 1ST HOUR

Anonymous said...

1. I think it is good to question your country’s conduct during a war. It keeps people involved, and helps us as the citizens choose the correct leaders and do our part to support our nation.
2. Some of these questions, how is the war conducted and tactics being used, are classified information that shouldn’t be announced to just anyone. It would be ok to ask, but you would probably get a vague answer. Questions like how the goals are being met and if it is worth the bloodshed, should be asked by the people. Many wars could be prevented if we consider these questions. We have a right to know if the war is even worth fighting, and have a say in it also. What if we treated war like an election? I wonder how that would turn out. (sorry, that was a random comment) For the question on how goals are being met; the president should already be letting the public know the progress of the war. This updating process is important, because sometimes, during a long war, people can lose hope. Updating will also increase trust with the government and a sense of stability of the government itself. This is a slightly utopian-ish idea, it involves honesty and discernment.
3. I think that questioning is ok during war time, because we should and have a right to know what our government is doing.
-Amanda Carrick 5th hour

Anonymous said...

1.) I think questioning your country's conduct during a war is o.k because everyone has there different and its not going to harm anyone, or the war itself. I feel that people should have the option to voice there own opinion.
2.) I think it is O.K to question the tatic of the war because if one of ur family members dies, i feel that you should have the right to at least know how he or she has dies. I feel like that is wrong to not know how ur family member has died. That could really hurt that family of the solider really bad i feel like. Torturing people is terrible because depending on the torture, people cant handle torture, and some people depending on how bad it is could be scarred for life because of it.
3.) Yes it is ok to ask questions about the war. Asking questions doesen't make u hate the U.S, it just simply says that you are curious about the war and the specific things about the war.

Anonymous said...

Erin Robnett
Wickersham-1st hour

1. Questioning your country’s conduct during war is okay as long as you are not interfering at all. We have rights that make sure we have certain freedoms and it would be incredibly unjust to limit them during war times. Nobody should tell you when you can or when you can’t use your rights that are given to us the constitution because that would be extremely hypocritical. There will always be skeptics and people who question everything the government does, but it is their right as a person to question the government as long as it doesn’t cause harm.

2. Asking questions about the conduct of war is necessary. Without people asking these questions, unfair treatment of other humans could occur for unjust reasons. Innocent people could be tortured and that isn’t fair. If we have tried every way to solve disputes peacefully with other nations, and we feel really threatened by them, we should use war as a LAST resort. If it is so miportant that our safety or interests have been threatened, then it is necessary for our troops to try and solve it.

3. Questioning the war doesn’t make you unpatriotic at all. It just means that you simply disagree with the government’s decision. People have that right (to disagree) and they are allowed to talk about it. It is unpatriotic to limit a person’s rights that are guaranteed to them in the constitution. As long as the person isn’t physically interfering with the war and causing harm to others, why can’t people question war?

Anonymous said...

Margeaux Phillips
1st Hour

1. Yes. People have the freedom of speech, we can express our opinions. However, when it comes to interfering directly by switching our opinions into actions, a barrier is crossed. We all need to be informed about the war our own country is in, asking questions are a way to keep knowledgeable and educated. We should be able to know about what’s going on in the war and if it’s just or not, it is our country and it is our business.

2. I believe that you should be able to express your opinion about the war. Matters regarding torture and gruesome tactics should be known by the country. If the rest of the country shouldn’t know what is going on in the war, then we shouldn’t be doing it in the war at all. I don’t think that horrible strategies such as torture are worth the sacrifice in any way.

3. Questioning something as extreme as a war certainly does not make you unpatriotic. It makes you concerned. You want to make sure that your country is cut out for such a task. And even if you don’t think we are, it doesn’t make you unpatriotic, it just makes you disagree with war which you are entitled to do. Being patriotic, in my opinion, could be disagreeing but still standing by your country and supporting the troops.

Anonymous said...

1. Questioning your countries conduct during war is defiantly okay. I believe this is so because as an American you have the freedom of speech to say and ask what ever you want whenever you want, whether it is during a war, or during a presidential election.
2. It isn’t worth the sacrifice from the men or women of the country ever. You should always no what is going on in wars, because there’s always yellow journalism and you should be allowed to know the truth not the exaggeration and lies.
3. It doesn’t make you unpatriotic for wanting to understand the truth. It makes you just as patriotic, if not more for being concerned and worried about your country.

Jared Monchnik
5th hr

Anonymous said...

Kevin Ross-5th Hour

1. I think that questioning our country during a time a war is perfectly ok. Now during World War One, question our government was against the law; but it didn’t mean it was wrong. During that time, the government did not want to be wrong about what they were doing so if anyone spoke out against what they were doing, then they would be punished.
2. I think that we should be asking questions like that to our government, so that they might realize that they are doing something wrong. If we don’t bring stuff like that to their attention they may never even think about it. The government does not like it when the American people ask questions like that, but they can’t do anything about it. Also these questions need to be asked; the American people need to have a voice.
3. I think it makes you more patriotic, because you are worrying about our country. When asking questions like that, you aren’t saying that America is bad, all you are doing is asking if we are doing things right. Real Americans would ask questions like that because they care about our country, if they didn’t care then they wouldn’t ask them.

Anonymous said...

Alex Valente
5th Hour

1. Questioning your countries conduct during war is o.k. I believe this because you have the freedom of speech. People should be able to express their opinions without being punished for it. It does not make you any less of an American to not be sure about some decisions that are made by the government. If you don’t agree with something that your country is doing you should be able to let them know that. For example, waterboarding is not o.k. to do because in the long run, people who have this done to them could be physically injured by suffocation, lung damage and many other things.

2. People should be asking these questions because you should not have to fight for something that you don’t believe in. Also people should know if goals are being met so they have an idea of how the war is progressing. If nothing is working in a war we should know that we need to retreat. We shouldn’t let the young men and women die when only some people know if the goals are really being met. We should know if the struggles that these men and women are going through are worth it.

3. This line of questioning does not make you unpatriotic, it just makes you curious. Everybody wants to what is going on with a war. Also, if the government is doing something that is not just, then we should let them know that and make it stop.

Anonymous said...

1. Questioning your countries conduct during war isn’t ok. The Espionage and Seditation acts of the early 1900’s would restrict the right to promote the success of enemies and express information with the intent to interfere with the operation or success of the U.S. armed forces, or in other words restricting the right to speak freely which is a violation of the first amendment. If you were to violate The Espionage and Seditation acts you could face up to $10,000 fines and could possibly be imprisoned for no more than 30 years.
2. It’s not worth the sacrifice of all the young males and females lives. People are expected to die in a war; deaths are even projected ahead of time before any action starts. The tactics need to be discussed because torture is one of the worst ways to die, or if you don’t die you are mentally and more than likely physically scared. Tactics are needed against enemies because your enemy has tactics to attack you and is planned to kill more solders.
3. It’s always ok to ask questions during war time and it doesn’t make you unpatriotic because as a citizen you have the right to freedom of speech and deserve to have an input into U.S. war decisions but you have no right to conduct an conspiracy and question the strategies used in war.

Keon Collier
3rd hour
10/26/09

Anonymous said...

Questioning the government is ok and should be done no matter the status of the country. What the U.S. government did during WW1 is inexcusable. The entire reason our constitution was created was to give the people power. The government telling them that it is “wrong” to speak out against them during wartime is going completely against the constitution. People are always going to have disagreements with the government, but suppressing them during wartime with the excuse that it is “unpatriotic” is inexcusable. We would be no better than communist China or North Korea if we decided to bottle up the views of our own people. Speaking your mind should have its limitations, but speaking against the government doesn’t “endanger lives” or “betrays your country”. I believe that the American people should always be able to speak their minds or speak against the government for the sole reason that our constitution gives them that power. Even in today’s world, questions should always be asked about what our government is really doing and if those actions are supported by the American people. This unrest might actually help to unearth the corruption and abuse that the government is apart of (torture, waterboarding, etc.)

-Andrew Williams
3rd

Anonymous said...

1. Questioning your countries conduct during a war is definitely o.k. When questioning the conduct of your country you are inflicting no harm on your country or anyone else. All you are doing is expressing your opinion and letting other people know your views. If the government does not like what you are saying then they do not have a right to punish you, but they can just ignore you.
2. I think that it is ok to question war tactics because we are all apart of our country. And we deserve to have a say in what goes on. Especially if we, the American people, are being asked to fight for the country. If we have to fight in the war, but can’t question anything about the war, then, why would we give it our all in battle to fight for a government that won’t let us even express an opinion or ask a question about the war.
3. This line of questions does not make me unpatriotic because they are relevant to what is happening right now. Our country is in a very questionable war right now that has taking the lives of many Americans. This war has been questioned and many speakers about the war have come forward, thus making these questions relevant to this time period of our country and not unpatriotic to answer.

Willie Beattie
3rd hour

Geoff Wickersham said...

1. I believe that is it o.k. to question your country's conduct during the war. Questioning the conduct of the war is different then flat out saying that you don't agree with how the war is being conducted. personally i think that people should be able to do either. Just because some people oppose certain aspects of war, doesn't mean that it'll cause us to become a weaker nation. I'm sure that all over the world countries have people who are against the war also. Speaking our true feelings shows that we (U.S.) aren't just a robot with one mind. it shows that we are human and have multiple opinions yet we can still stand strong and be a leading nation.

2. Questioning the conduct of the war, tactics being used, how the goals are met, and if its worth the lives of men and women are things that we should be doing. if there's a problem with how we're conducting the war, people with other opinions should be able to question it and change it to create a stronger system that could benefit us in the end. questioning the tactics such as torture and water-boarding is only natural. We're human. We have that little guy in the back of our minds telling us what's right and what's wrong. When we feel that something such as torture is wrong, it's just a natural feeling that most should have so therefore questioning it is also natural. questing about how the goals are met is a good thing. If you're going into the war you should know the truth about it and the things that are done to get the job completed (no matter how gruesome). Questioning wether is worth the lives of men and women, well that's a personal opinion and i feel that people should be able to state how they feel. some of those people are parents of soldiers, if they feel that it's not worth risking their daughters/sons life, then they have all the right in the world to say what they want about it.

3. I feel that it's o.k. to ask these questions during war time. it doesn't make you unpatriotic. just because you don't agree with the war doesn't mean you're against your own country. the U.S. is full of opinionated people who should be able to share their thoughts, concerns, and questions. if we can't do that, then the US looses its individuality and becomes like any other country that doesn't allow its people to speak what they want.

Natalie H.

Anonymous said...

Questionong your country's conduct is very natural during war, especially in a free country like America. People should always be able to express their opinions without consequence no matter what situation. It is also O.K. for people to ask questions about how our government is conducting the war. Since we elect our leaders and governing bodies we have the right to know how the war is being handled, the tactics being used, and if we are accomplishing our goals. It would be wrong for the government to falsly state that we are winning a war that we are in reality actually losing just to make Americans more patriotic. Also, if the government doesn't have a clear and reasonable reason to start the war then it is not worth the many deaths of young men and women who sacrifice their lives to protect this country. Also, questioning a war during wartime does not make a person unpatriotic. It is acceptable for a person to have an opinion different than the government. In fact, it shows that the person can think for himself and not just agree with whoever is in charge. Also, just because a person disagrees with the government doesn't mean that person hates America, he or she might just feel as though the government is leading the country in the wrong direction.

Isaac A.

Anonymous said...

Malarie French
3rd hour

1.)I think that questioning your country’s conduct during a war is okay because they aren’t doing anything bad to interfere with the war. It’s not like questioning would make a difference if people are already at war. Plus, it’s a right; freedom of speech. If it’s having an effect on your country and also affecting the rest of the country, you have a right to know what’s going on.
2.)In my opinion, risking someone’s life isn’t worth the sacrifice. People are able to question whatever they feel like, it’s freedom of speech. If you think a different way then what’s happening with the country, you should be able to say it. I think that we, the people, should know about the torture that’s happening in war. If somebody finds out that a relative is dead at war, they should know why that person died. To me, torture is awful! It’s hurting people, especially in war, for something that isn’t even their fault. Most people would rather be dead than be tortured, which is terrible. People need to grow up and actually work on what's wrong in the country, rather than fight all the time.
3.)Questioning, as I’ve said earlier, is absolutely fine. People have a right to know about their country. It doesn’t make you unpatriotic because you just want to know answers since the government won’t always tell us.

Anonymous said...

I think that Americans should be allowed to voice their opinion about the war, because it’s not hurting anyone or tampering with the war. It’s not against the law to voice your opinion in fact that’s one of our rights as citizens. Freedom of speech, the citizens aren’t messing with the war or interfering with it so it shouldn’t even matter. The tactics being done in the war was kind of one sided, because young men were forced to enlist in the military to fight for their country against their will? Being forced to enlist and not knowing what’s ahead of you in the war to come. You don’t know if you’re going to be tortured, killed, bombed, or you can even commit suicide. I think being forced to do something for your country is against the law, and that’s why I think the Espionage Act of 1917 and the Sedition Act of 1918 is unlawful. I believe everyone should have the opportunity to voice their opinion. Freedom of Speech is a civil right, and it shouldn’t be tampered with. No it doesn’t make you unpatriotic because you’re not going against your country; you’re going against some of your countries rules and laws. I disagree with a great majority of the decisions made about the war in the past, and I’d like to voice my opinion about it also. But it’s not unlawful because I’m still supporting my own country not another country.
Jalen

Anonymous said...

Griffin Harms
1st Hour
1.) I think that it is o.k. for people to question a countrys conduct during a war for several reasons. First and foremost, not having the right to question a countrys conduct is a direct violation of the 1st ammendment(freedom of speech), one of the ammendments that our country's foundation was built upon. When a country goes to war, most people should be behind their country and when they're not, they should at least have the right to explain why.
2.) I think that questions about how a war should be conducted should be asked because in a democratic society like America, it is important that we consider everybody's input. It is everybody's right and duty as an American citizen to stay informed about the war and current issues.
3.) I don't think that questioning during war time in America makes someone unpatriotic. I think that this is true as long as someone is questioning in their country's best interest rather than their own. During a time of war, everybody must contribute in some way in order for the country to be successful. So in conclusion, I believe that everyone has the right as an American citizen to question the war, making the Espionage and Sedition Acts wrong and bad for the country and its people.

Anonymous said...

I think that people should be allowed to speak their minds during the war. We have the right to free speech so we should be allowed to question the countries conduct during war. In the Great War the Espionage Act of 1917 and the Sedition Act of 1918 were passed to stop our constitutional right to free speech and other basic rights. There were 6,000 arrests and 1,500 convicts because of these Acts that took away our freedoms. Most of the people that were arrested of were convicts, questioned the government and was punished because of theses Acts even though it was their constitutional right to speak their mind. Some people will not agree that various tactics used in the war, like torture, so they should have the right to say that, but if they do they could go to jail. It is not unpatriotic to question your government about war, every government has faults. Some people will question why we go to war or still have soldiers abroad and can still be patriotic. They can still support their country and think that war is unjust. Being patriotic is not just about if you support the war that you are currently in, being Patriotic is acknowledging that your country is not perfect and trying to fix it, like questioning your government.


Sarah Knoll
3rd hour

Geoff Wickersham said...

1. I think that questioning your country’s conduct during a congressionally declared war is OK, as long as the questioning doesn’t interfere with the war effort.
2. Asking questions about how the war is conducted is all right because there is no direct effect on the war effort. Not all of the tactics being used are all right. These tactics include water boarding and other psychologically scarring methods of torture, because they contradict the “American way” of doing things. I also believe that asking about whether or not the goals are being met or not is OK as well. I believe this because the people have the right to reform the government so that the goals of the war could be met. If the goals of the war aren’t being met the sacrifice of all the men and women is not worth it. If the goals are being met to the highest standard, and said goals are beneficial to all of those involved, the sacrifice is worth it.
3. This line of questioning actually makes you more patriotic. This is because it means that you are thinking about, and hopefully acting on, improving the war effort’s efficiency.

Dan E.

Anonymous said...

Questioning your country’s conduct during a war is definitely okay. We have the right to say whatever we want and to have our own opinion. Everyone has opposing viewpoints about the war, and I think they should express them. The war will not be hurt by what people say.
Yes, yes, and yes. Americans should be allowed to ask as many questions about the war as they want. We need to be involved about what is going on in our country. Asking questions is good, especially if a loved one is participating in the war. For example, if a woman’s husband was in the war, she would want to know about the tactics being used so she could know how safe or unsafe her husband is. When it comes to goals, all Americans would want to know if we were meeting the expectations of our country or not and how.
This line of questioning during war time is ok. It does not make you unpatriotic because you have freedom of speech and no one said you have to support the war and everything that goes on in it. You are allowed to be curious about certain things that make you scratch your head.

Norell

Anonymous said...

Kaleigh Passarelli
U.S. History 1st hour

Yes it’s okay to question your country’s conduct during a war because people always question things. It’s human nature to question things that are happening. Yes asking questions about the war and how it is being conducted and the tactics and the goals is okay because if the U.S. is torturing people then someone should get them to stop. We want the goals we have to be met, I mean we don’t go and say ‘We are going to free you!’ and then we go ‘We are going to make you obey American rule.’ We want to be sure that we are doing what we went to war to help. We also shouldn’t be worried that we are torturing the people we are fighting. That is not good. If someone finds a better way to fight the war and this new way might save many men and woman from having to die. This line of questioning during war time is o.k. because if people don’t question anything about how the war is going than that means that either the entire United States America supports the war and agree with what we are doing. Or it means that everyone is obsessed with killing people and that is not what America is about. We are about helping to free other countries from unfair rulers or government. When you question the war it does not make you unpatriotic because people will always question how things are run. Even if people don’t say it out loud they will still think it. No one can decide what people really believe at all. They can make people say what they want them to by threatening them but they can’t control what they really think. Even if you raise a person to believe that, they will still question what is going on. It’s just human nature. No one can force you to believe everything that they say without you questioning anything.

Anonymous said...

Dustin Oakwood
3rd Hour
1) I believe that it is always okay for the people to question the government’s conduct during a war. I believe this is okay because it does no physical harm to anyone and can only be considered as constructive criticism. Questioning the conduct is the same as stating a personal belief which does not go against our Freedom of Speech. I believe that questioning the conduct of our government is one of the most influential powers we have as citizens.
2) Asking questions are a necessity during times of war. They help justify and protect what is not right, like torture. With these questions arousing we can take action to prevent this unfair treatment of people. As Americans don’t we want to be the better country and not have to resort to such low tactics such as torture, and war itself? War is a last resort and should only be used as such, remembering our Just War notes.
3) Questioning the war is not unpatriotic at all; in fact, I believe that it is the opposite. By asking questions you are taking a step forward and voicing your concerns, by showing your will to change what is wrong is to be truly American.

Anonymous said...

1. I think it is okay to voice your opinions about a war. Humans are naturally curious and want to know answers, so it would go against nature for them not to speak out about it. People also like to say their opinions and to be heard, especially when its about a topic as big as the war. The first amendment gives us the freedom of speech, so it should not be taken away.
2. I believe that asking questions about how the war is being conducted and how/what is happening should be allowed. Having a democracy means listening to the peoples input. Also, some tactics used in war should not be used such as torture. If we are paying taxes and risking lives then we should understand why we are.
3. This line of questioning is okay. Any questioning should be okay if its used to understand situations better. It does not make you unpatriotic when your using your right as an American with the first amendment. As long as your not being selfish and thinking of your countries needs then it would not be unpatriotic. If you are not doing anything that is disrespectful or goes against the country, then it is still patriotic.

Rebecca Cook
5th Hour

Anonymous said...

Keith Wright
3rd

#1 questioning your government is completely ok. No government should be able to silence anyone’s voice or opinion. Every American has the freedom of speech and can express their views or beliefs in anyway they want even if it’s against the government that is giving them the right to free speech.

#2 I think that you should be aloud to ask you government questions about the war and the methods that it is being fought by. If our government is lying to us and saying that we do not torture P.O.W.s when we really do torture people. Then we should know about it. If our government is sending us to war for a reason that is not important like oil and saying that we are at war with this country because there may be w.m.d.’s the men and women that are fighting are dying for something they don’t believe.

#3 Questioning the government in a time of war is not unpatriotic at all because if you question then you are trying to do what you believe is best for your country and how can that be unpatriotic. I understand the other point of view because questioning our government may encourage the enemy that we are not committed to the war and make them fight harder.

Anonymous said...

Austin Rovinski 5th hour-Wickersham 9/25/09

1. Questioning your country’s conduct during a war is a difficult question based on the war and your perspective; if the war has more cons than pros and has no foreseeable benefit, then it is okay to protest. However, I can see how slanderous comments of the war could form a movement and demoralize soldiers. Because the United States had already declared war, I think it was actually better to pass the Espionage and Sedition Acts at the time merely to put down all of the negative feelings and demoralization because we are already engaged in the war, and it would look too shameful in the eyes of France and Britain to have us back out before it had really started. Plus, without all of the protesting, recruiting soldiers would be easier.
2. Much like the previous question, I can see how many of the actions conducted in war should be questioned. But, as is the case with most wars, only the leaders of the losing countries are prosecuted for their war crimes. Was the United States prosecuted for their use of two nuclear bombs on Japan? I think that the real question is why is it okay to question the conduct of today’s society as opposed to the past’s conduct? I don’t think there is a clear answer to this question, although I feel that everyone should have the right to protest.
3. Patriotism is defined by many different people in many different ways; although I define it as proudly standing behind your country. So no, questioning your country’s actions is not patriotic; but does it really matter if you’re unpatriotic if you know you’re doing the right thing? Not all Germans were for the Nazi party, and I think that not all Americans have to be for the government.

Anonymous said...

Kendal Gumbleton
1st Hour

Yes I do think questioning your country’s conduct during a war is okay. The main reason I say this is because if we don’t and they’re making huge mistakes that could cost us greatly. For instance we could not be taking enough measures to keep out soldiers safe ant it should be more than okay to question that.
I think that asking questions about how the war is conducted, tactics, and if our job is getting done is okay. Us asking about our progress in the war just shows that we are worried about our fellow citizens overseas. Also questioning tactics such as different form of torture is important because in my view at least extreme forms of torture is very wrong, even if it does get us the information we needed it could be something completely false because the person being tortured could make up something random just to make the torture stop. Questioning progress in the war is very important too. It’s important to question progress because if we aren’t getting done what we had planned to and we didn’t know our tax money could just be wasted.
This line of questioning does not many you unpatriotic, I think it makes you more patriotic because it means that you’re concerned about your country enough to ask questions in hopes to make our efforts more successful. Asking questions in times of war can prove very helpful to the country if it leads to needed changes.

Anonymous said...

Blake Jackson
5th Hour

1. I think that questioning your country’s conduct during war is o.k. because I don’t think it violates free speech in the way that yelling fire in a crowded theater does. I think that people have always criticized the government and are used to hearing it. Around half the country probably criticizes but those who have strong opinions won’t change them. So the debating over if your country is right in times of war probably will not cause any kind of panic.
2. I think that knowing how war is conducted is the right of the American people. I don’t think that many people would be happy after knowing about the tactics if torture is being used. But I think that as long as it’s the American taxpayers’ money that is being used to finance the war then we should be able to know if the goals or the war are being met and if we really want how they are being met as well.
3. This line of questioning is o.k. during war time because being patriotic isn’t just waving an American flag around all the time. Sometimes being patriotic is knowing what is going on in our country and knowing what we’re involved in. So there really is no problem asking questions.

ian frederik 3rd hour said...

I believe that questioning your countries conduct is always OK. The basis of the constitution is to promote free speech and to be able to have a say in the government. The right of free speech, the right to assemble peacefully, the right to write anything that doesn’t actually disrespect anyone. The United States was cerated because the people wanted to be free from a repressive government, and we fought for it.

We should always be asking questions about if the criteria for a “just war” are being met. If not then the war should not be fought. If it is then we should be asking if torture is acceptable in order to save others lives. If no then stop torturing. If it’s OK then ask yourself if having families torn apart by death because of the war. That answer should be no. but some believe that the answer is yes. This is why some spoke out against the war. An example of this is the Vietnam War. Some spoke out against the war, the violence, the political machines, THE MAN! These were the hippies. Then there were the others who thought that the war was helping liberate the people of Vietnam, and helping create a democracy. These people were everyone else in America.

I believe that that it is always OK to question the judgment of officials, and that’s what the constitution wants you to be able to do. That is one of the most patriotic things you can do.

Anonymous said...

1. I think questioning your country’s conduct in war is okay, because you have the right to freedom of speech. When you ask questions or share an opinion about what your country’s doing, it does not harm anyone. When you talk about the war, your opinion will not actually change the outcome of the war. I especially think you should not get such a harsh punishment for speaking your mind, like the Espionage Act of 1917 and the Sedition Act of 1918 entitled.
2. I think it is totally okay to ask questions about wars, if not expected. As American citizens we deserve to know what is going on with our country, including questions about a country’s conduct during war, tactics being used, and how goals are being met. If we were prohibited to ask these questions our freedom would be violated. These questions help us understand what is going on, and will give us a better understanding of our country and our country’s plans and actions.
3. I think questioning during a time of war makes you especially patriotic, because it shows that you care for your country. If no one took the time to understand why our country does what we do, I think things would be a lot different, for the worse.
Elyse Dumas - 5th hour

Anonymous said...

Alice Turner 1st hour

I do think its okay to question conduct of a war for our countries. We have a right to our opinions and a right to question what we think is wrong. If the tactics used are clearly unethical and undemocratic, isn’t it our right o pursuer correcting these things? America is a county run by the people so if we let the government get away with things such as this then aren’t we somehow corrupting our own country? I think that Americans have a right to voice their opinions on things that could be changed. The government undergoes change when the American people force them too. Even before the war, people questioned the government; it’s motives and decisions. There is no reason to all of sudden create an act to try and find a quick way to deal with all the people in disagreement with the country. I think that many people would have a problem with the loss of many lives in a war that we really didn’t have any business in. There would also be people disagreeing and saying that it’s the duty of people to give all they can – even their lives for the good of the country. It isn’t being unpatriotic – as long as there’s more than one side to an issue, there will be people rooting on each side.

Alex said...

1.) I think that the American people have the fundamental right to discuss, attend rallies, or vote for the candidate of their choice because they are delivering a message the voter wants to hear. The 1st Amendment gives us freedom of speech—even writing to your congressman allows us to freely voice our concerns. Questioning tactics is one thing, but trying to interfere with policies would be very difficult for the government to make decisions.

2.) Questioning the conduct during war time is also protected under the 1st Amendment. I think that any type of torture should cease. I am sure there are other ways to get information necessary from the enemy. My brother is a Marine—even they are allowed to question (with respect) the commanding officer that is outlining the tactics that will be followed. The Commanding Officer tells those Marines what goals need to be achieved—and how they are going to achieve these goals. They are like a well “oiled machine fighting together to beat the enemy. Look how we hunted down Sadam Hussian—we didn’t stop until we found him. He went to trial, and was eventually convicted of the atrocities of killing all those innocent people in his country, with death as the penalty. The President spoke out against water boarding for all those prisoners incarcerated at Guantanamo Bay. He wants that prison closed by next year. He firmly disagrees with any type of torture by the Americans to prisoners.

3.) Asking questions in no way makes you unpatriotic. This shows the concern of the American people. Plus, the government, at times, as we all know will not divulge the entire truth about the war—for whatever the reason may be. Again, this is freedom of speech-we have the right to agree or disagree with war tactics.

Alex Victor
10-25-09
Hour 5

Anonymous said...

1. I believe that questioning my countries conduct during war is okay. If the government were to tell me that saying something against a particular war was against the law that would be directly violating my first amendment right to freedom of speech, if we are not allowed to be entitled to our own opinion and openly voice it that would be destroying one of the key values that built our country.
2. Asking questions about how the war is being conducted is okay. As citizens of this country we have the right to know what is going on. We should know where information is coming from, what tactics are being used to obtain information (water boarding, torture etc.), and how the war is coming along, are we moving towards our goal, how many troops have been lost etc.
3. Questioning a war in no way makes you unpatriotic. If we weren’t allowed to speak our minds during the war we wouldn’t be a free country. If we didn’t ask question about the war we would never find anything out. Asking questions about the war shows that you are concerned about the men and women in our armed forces which if anything makes you more patriotic.
Jon Holland
5th Hour

Anonymous said...

Crystal Oropeza 3rd hour

1. I think questioning your country's conduct during a war is ok. We are able to speak out about whatever. Also, out freedom of speech says we can do this. This is only your own personal opinion and as long as your not threatening anyone I think it is fine. Tons of people don't agree with war and yet we are in one. People have bumper stickers and so on about being anti-war, and being against things the country is for.

2. Questioning about how the war is conducted is fine. I think we should know what's going on in war's we are in. Just because not all of us are fighting I still think we should be informed about the women and men who are fighting. Knowing about the torturing is something I think we should also know because this is OUR country not just some.

3. I think this questioning makes you patriotic because we are all citizens who have the right to know what's going on in the country. Also, we have the right to know how we go about things and how we react. If we disagree or agree it can still be being patriotic, we all just have different opinions and views on certain topics.

Anonymous said...

alex wong 3rd hour

Speaking against your country is a constitutional right when you don’t like something you always must take action and speak up for yourself even during war times. When you say something you are protected by constitutional rights and if they are violated you have a right to take on the government. Why should the government take our rights away when our troops are off fighting a war in a foreign land they are there to protect are constitutional rights and it is ironic that ours are taken away when that is what they are protecting. Our personal opinion is what allows us to conversant about anything and everything but also we must limit what we say because even though we can say things freely we can be prosecuted for treason. Even though we can say what we think we can always think about what we say before we say it, also even though we can speak freely we cannot always freely speak. In this case people shou8ld not have to go to prison or be tortured by people to give info ion what there opinions about our best interest, we need to listen and take into consideration what they are saying and then monitor it not just say they can’t.

Anonymous said...

1)I believe that it is ok to talk about the war in whichever way you choose. I believe this because no matter what one says it will not change the government’s mind of bringing home the troops. When the government chooses to go to war it is for a good reason but sometimes we involve ourselves in other countries wars then we end up being a part of it.
2)Discussing the tactics being used is important to know because it teaches us the reality if what is actually happening. It tells people the truth of what actually happens and how people get information out of other people. Losing all of the American lives that we do because of the war is ridiculous. We should not be losing as many lives as we do. There should be a more efficient way of sending in less troops but with that we have more power.
3)I don’t think that not expressing yourself makes you unpatriotic. I think that expressing your self in the wrong manner would be.

Anonymous said...

Ezra Woodard
Hour 3
Yes, questioning ones country, especially during war, is good. It provides constructive criticism and shows that there is room for improvement. We have to ask questions, we just have to find a way to do it safely. It will be worth ending the torture in war, and the post war stress will never occur for an endless amount of soldiers. Then both sides of the war can benefit by keeping a higher population and money can go into their economy instead of the war effort. The goals can be met in other ways too, peace treaties and comprises can be created to end the hardship of millions. It can all start just by thinking if what we are doing is right. If we question war then we can question other things as well. We can accomplish so much just by questioning things. It makes one more patriotic by, being an American citizen, exercising ones right to freedom of speech.

Anonymous said...

Ari Franklin
5th hour

1. I believe that asking questions about my countries conduct during war is o.k. I believe this because people ask themselves things all the time and just because you are asking yourself something doesn’t mean that you’re committing an act of crime.
2. I think it is o.k. to ask questions about the tactics being used in war. Its o.k. because you don’t have to agree with everything your country does and we have the right to believe what we want to believe is right. I think that it is also o.k. to question if our goals are being met during war. This is o.k. because sometimes in war we get carried away and don’t focus on the main reasons why we went into the war. Its o.k. to question if it’s worth risking the lives of young men and women. This is because it is a big issue and someone has to stand up for this issue.
3. This type of questioning in war time is o.k. and in no way make you unpatriotic. This is because we have the right to freedom of speech from the first amendment. We also have the right to freedom of assembly and freedom of press so we can object to what ever we believe is right.

Anonymous said...

tim wimbush 10-22-09
yes , because everyone has the right to freedom of speech but as long as you dont take physical action towards your own country or interfear with them.no because in the long run you end up lossing a life and only collect a few bits of info so i think torture and other ways of intimidation should be iliegal.it could make you unpartiootic but does that make you a bad person when your standing up for natural human rights so that is the final engrved moral law above all things.

Anonymous said...

Matt Baker
3rd Hour
1. Yes, questioning your country’s conduct during war is okay because we were given the right to freedom of speech, meaning we can say anything we desire about our country and that they need to answer whether we like it or not.
2. We are right to question the tactics being used by our country in order to achieve the goals that we are trying to meet. This is okay to do this because, shouldn’t you know what your country does to gain the power that it has internationally. If it isn’t okay to ask questions, then why would you be asking us this question in the first place, wouldn’t that be considered asking questions about your country and its plans and goals.
3. Questioning the war at hand is what makes us America, if there weren’t skeptics on the war we would not be a truly free thinking country. Without questioning we would not be human, we would not discover new things, we wouldn’t have music, computers, art, anything life would not exist if humans never questioned anything. So, Yes, questioning at a time of war is probably the most patriotic thing we could possibly do because it is the reason for everything we do and why we do it.

Anonymous said...

1. is questioning your country's conduct during a war o.k.?

Yes, 100% yes. Because the president/ vpres/ etc are not the ones going into the war on the front lines. We, the civilians are going to the war. We are supporting it with our taxes, whether we like it or not, and we should know what is going on.


2. Should asking questions about how the war is conducted, about the tactics being used (torture, waterboarding, etc.), about how the goals are being met (or if they're being met at all), or is it all worth the sacrifice of all the young men and women's lives??

Yes, torture should not be used. We are trying to fight for peace/and a just government (so we say) then we shouldn’t use those tactics. The American people should know what is happening because the military represents the country.


3. Is this line of questioning during war time o.k. or does it make you unpatriotic? Why?

It makes you more patriotic. It shows you care about the country and what is happening for or against or because of it. I can compare it to 48 hour mystery on CBS. Somebody was killed and evidence was tampered with and the lie of omission took place. If the people in charge are doing the same thing – then that is a crime. We would be no better than the countries we fight. As a patriot we should ask. How else would we find out?



Adam Egrin
10/26/09
5th period

Anonymous said...

1. I think questioning your country’s conduct during war is ok because as American’s we have the right to free speech. Often the decisions our government make directly affect us and it is human nature to question things we may disagree with.
2. I think once again that freedom of speech is our right as Americans and that we are should be able to speak out about what we believe in and what we may disagree with in our government. Many times when conduct is challenged during war times including tactics, goals, and other aspects mentioned it is because the current conduct is negatively effecting people directly. This includes families who may have lost a loved one. People may also be opposed to war or tactics used in war because of strong personal beliefs and I believe should be allowed to speak out.
3. I believe most forms of speaking out during war time makes you far from unpatriotic. Speaking out shows your interests in your country’s actions. While at the same time there may be certain forms of speaking out that can be negative and unpatriotic such as speaking out against the country as a whole.

Jimmy McCafferty
5th hour

Anonymous said...

Blog # 24- Free speech in times of war
I believe that it is perfectly ok to question about your countries conduct all the time especially in times of war because the country needs to be in order and doing things the right way. This goes for the entire question in this blog. If you don’t feel that the country is getting along the right way than that’s your opinion and you should have the right to voice that opinion. If the goals of the country are not being met than yes some type of action needs to be put into action. I don’t believe that asking questions on how well the country is doing in times of war is considered torture. I don’t want our soldiers dying overseas. We should work as hard as we can to bring our soldiers home. As Americans we have the right to free speech so0 if we want to voice our opinion about how we feel about the war than that should defiantly be allowed.
Liam Rush

Anonymous said...

1.) I think questioning your country's conduct during a war is o.k because everyone has there different and its not going to harm anyone, or the war itself. I feel that people should have the option to voice there own opinion.
2.) I think it is O.K to question the tatic of the war because if one of ur family members dies, i feel that you should have the right to at least know how he or she has dies. I feel like that is wrong to not know how ur family member has died. That could really hurt that family of the solider really bad i feel like. Torturing people is terrible because depending on the torture, people cant handle torture, and some people depending on how bad it is could be scarred for life because of it.
3.) Yes it is ok to ask questions about the war. Asking questions doesen't make u hate the U.S, it just simply says that you are curious about the war and the specific things about the war.

Matt B.

Anonymous said...

Kristina Ndrejaj
US History-5th
1. I do think that it is okay to questions you country’s conduct during a war. Freedom of speech means being able to say what you want without any restrictions or limitations. You should be able to have your own personal opinion. Our tax dollars are what’s paying for war. If we have to pay for these wars, we should be allowed to give our opinions without any sort of penalties.
2. Questions about how the war is conducted, and the tactics being used should be asked. If your tax dollars are going to this war, you should know what they’re going for. If it’s something you’re against, like water boarding or other forms of torture, you can speak out about it. You can choose whether or not to join the troops, or you can inform people about what you know.
3. If anything, questioning war is more patriotic then keeping quiet. If it were unpatriotic to question the war, then freedom of speech wouldn’t be in 1st Amendment of the United States Constitution. Asking these questions shows your concern for your country.

Anonymous said...

1. It should always be o.k. to ask your country anything about the war. It's not causing any harm to anyone, so I personally think it's not going to make a difference. Also us citizens are mainly the ones fighting the war, so technically we should be able to do much more than just ask questions about the war. It's very sad when countries just ignore there citizens and do what they think would work, it's our lives that's going to be taken away not there's.
2. This all depends on how the war is going. For insistence lets say the country were living in is loosing the war, we would want our citizens to think that were owning the other country. This way people wouldn't be as scared to join the war. If we were to tell them we are loosing and that everyone that joins is dying days later, nobody would want to join and run away. But it is still not right to lie to your country and have millions die.
3. To sit around while your country is at world-war, is just plain sick. If you have time to ask questions about the war while your brothers and friends are at war is border line ignorant. You should always be showing love for your country no matter what. Its simple, if you live in it, you must show love for it.

Muhannad

Anonymous said...

1. Every person is entitled to their own opinion (as well as their freedom of speech.) After reading the selection about the Great War I’ve come to conclude that the war was a big mess, and our involvement in it was completely pointless. Most would agree; and the fact that the government was going out of their way to stop anti-war talk is completely absurd. I think questioning your country’s conduct is perfectly ok, when appropriate.
2. It is definitely NOT worth the sacrifice of men and women’s lives. People SHOULD be asking more questions, and looking into it further. I mean, people who aren’t personally involved have no clue what’s really going on in the war, just what the government tells us! The Government never tells us everything that’s going on, so we have every right to question the conduct, tactics, and goals.
3. Like I said before people are entitled to opinions and freedom of speech. If people are curious as to what’s really happening then they should be able to ask and get the full truth without the Government trying to sugar coat it. Especially when America is making stupid war choices! This doesn’t make you unpatriotic; it makes you an American who is more involved with what’s going on in the world. Those who question their country during war time are in no way unpatriotic when their Government is making all the bad decisions.

Abbi W.

Anonymous said...

1. Questioning your country's conduct during the war is okay because of freedom of speech. It is good because history has shown that what's popular isn't always right. Speaking out against something that our government may be doing wrong may improve the situation but getting the government to stop there action.
2. Asking questions about how the war is conducted is important and there is no reason to sacrifice peoples lives. I believe our country shouldn't be doing these horrible things and it is unnecessary. It isn't helping anyone, it is only harming people.
3. This line of questing is okay and it doesn't make me unpatriotic. When the government is wrong people need to speak up, everyone makes mistakes including the government. Since the government is representing us we should have a say in how they conduct the war.

Randi

Anonymous said...

1. Yes, it is more than o.k. to question your country’s conduct during a war. People have the freedom of speech, and pointing out things that you think that the government is doing wrong is what you are supposed to do. That is why people come to live here, so that they have a voice in the government, not the government does what it wants and the people will be punished if they protest.
2. Not only is it o.k. to be asking questions about our tactics, and what is going on, and if we’re meeting our goals, we should be asking these questions to see if the government is doing what the people want; not what the people in the government want. We need to look out for the men and women fighting in the war so little as possible persons die.
3. It is very o.k. to ask questions during a war. This does not make you unpatriotic at all. If anything it would make you more patriotic that you care enough about your country to go out and ask a question concerning your county. It is not unpatriotic to question the government, some people may be ‘brainwashed’ into thinking that questioning what the government is wrong, but this county is said to be what the people want, and that is most definitely NOT what has been happening, people need to start to question the government more if we want to have a country that has people’s thoughts in mind.

Alvin

Anonymous said...

1. It’s ok to question your country about things like war but it’s also not good to take it too far such as doing things like causing havoc in the country, that could cause many problems for that country such as (in extreme cases a civil war)
2. I think that asking questions is important even in a case like this because it may help to reflect on what was working best or what is just wrong and stuff like that
3. I think that questioning during war is a good thing to a point, like it’s ok to question on torture and things like that but to question your country is kind of wrong in my mind

Jake Ryan
3rd hour

Anonymous said...

1. Personally I think that questioning your countries conduct during a war is acceptable. I think it is ok because you have the right to ask questions and protest because it is your country that is going to war and it could possibly put you and your peers in danger i9f the plan the country has to go in the war is not a smart plan. I also think it is ok to question your country about going into the war because it shows that you care about what is going on in the country and that you are concerned about winning the war. Freedom of speech is also part of an amendment and it states that you have the right to speak freely and this means that you can question the war.
2. I think that we as Americans should be able to know about most of the tactics used in the war, but some of them should be kept secret to the military and the countries government. I don’t think that some of the tactics the war is using such as torture should be announced in detail to the public because the public will probably protest against it. I also think that we should know about the men and women that are going into the war and if any of them have been killed or have gone missing during the war because it is our right as a nation to know what has happened to our citizens.
3. I think that this line of questioning during the war is ok because you have the right to know what happens during the war. I think that it shows that you care more about the war when you question it because you are concerned for your country. That is why I think it is ok to question the war.

Alex Allen.. was originally sent on saturday but failed to send through.

Anonymous said...

I think that questioning your countries conduct in war is ok because of the first amendment. It gives us the freedom of speech. Freedom of speech is one of the reasons that we became our own country. Why would we make an amendment just to ignore it and send people to jail for thinking something different?
Again I don’t think asking anything about how our government does anything should be illegal. We have the right to do it so why don’t we. We can ask about anything like water boarding and torture and we should be able to criticize the government. If we couldn't then there would be only one belief and only one idea and we would have no diversity. If we didn’t have any criticism then the government could be anything.
I don’t think that criticizing the war makes you unpatriotic just like not liking the president doesn’t make you unpatriotic. I think that it almost makes you patriotic because America is about being able to say what you believe and believing what you want and not doing so is not following the American dream. If we didn’t criticize the government then they could almost brainwash us into believing what they say.
Nick P.

Anonymous said...

1.) I think that questioning your country's conduct during a war is okay. Especially if you're a citizen, you should be able to express yourself, as long as you're not hurting anyone or anything then it's perfectly fine. Nobody should be punished for discussion.

2.)Most people don't know what is going on in the war, so people should be able to ask questions about how the war is being conducted and such. A lot of people would like to know if the government is actually reaching their goals. People want to know about our tactics and if we are torturing people. It definitely is NOT worth the sacrifice of all the young men and women lives.

3.)If anything, questioning the war would make you more patriotic because you're showing concern for the country and want to know everything that is going on. If we didn't speak up and criticize sometimes, we wouldn't be where we are today.

Brittney Jernigan 5th Hour