AntiWar Voices in America

 

    Growing up in American schools, it was mundane to hear about the most recent American troop movements or troop confrontations abroad, in our history classes. It was never discussed that we are at "war" with any nations, rather that our troops are fighting for the freedoms of the American people. No teacher ever described our troop movements or actions as a negative either, instead telling the class that international conflicts bring work and industry to Americans in order to provide the materials necessary for battle. This misconception shaped the lives of our earliest teachers who then passed that information off onto my generation over 20 years later. This false narrative stems from decades of government interest in war. 

     When the US government declares they are at war with any nation or group across the globe, the powers that are now at their disposal are considerably more powerful than our founding fathers ever intended for each branch of government to be. When in wartime, the Executive Branch has the power to deploy troops under the War Powers Resolution, without the approval of congress. This gives the government enhanced surveillance privileges both domestically and abroad. The NSA, FBI, and CIA now have the power to monitor threats and gather intelligence with few limitations. This is often seen as a backdoor for the US government to encroach on its citizens privacy and the information they hold close. Wartime powers even reach into the restriction of foundational civil liberties like that of freedoms of speech, press, and assembly. The government and its agencies can now monitor and regulate groups which it deems to be a threat to international security. Just the addition of these three powers is enough to give the US government a much wider look into the lives of its citizens. The increased powers protect government interests and prevent unseen political weapons from arising without prior government knowledge. The interests of the government have colluded with the ways we educate Americans for the past 80 years, causing rapid misconceptions on the true nature of wars on our nation. 

    In today's mainstream media, the broadcasts we often hear explain the "wars" America is in, but never focus on the broad opposition many Americans feel or the negatives it brings along. When first hearing about websites like ANTIWAR.COM and The American Conservative (TAC) it is not surprising that I have never heard of them before. Even after searching "stop war" into Google, these sites don't appear for several pages based on Google's search optimization. The voices of these writers are a strong contrast to both sides of the aisle's views on war. The authors depict war as a recession starting legal manslaughter. Both sites claim to be speaking on what is right for America, not what suits one political party over another. This type of language can pose a threat to American politicians who often act in ways that is not solely the best for our nation, rather for their presidential candidate and their political party. 

    Since it has been known that Google's search engine is highly filtered, aligning with governmental interests. It is now apparent why these sites are buried under hundreds of less strait forward, antiwar voices. Since most Americans will not seek out obscure websites to gain various news perspectives, keeping these sites off the first page of a Google search is a considerable course of action to keep their content from Americans, who are looking for convenient news. If Americans cannot find these sources of news, they will simply never hear about them, as mainstream news sources would never attempt such objections. To be as blunt as the authors of the articles posted on ANTIWAR and TAC requires a publication that does not fear censorship as mainstream news sources do, as the hidden government contracts the big sources hold provide substantial revenue to their bottom line.

    Either way Americans fall on their opinions of war, they deserve to be shown the most unfiltered news. News that does not put the desires of the government before the truth and the opinions of the masses. News that our founding fathers would have been proud to read, that discusses all avenues of disagreement and allows the people to make their opinions up for themselves.