Patrick Probst

4^th Quarter Movie Review

Why We Fight

 

            The Movie Why We Fight addresses issues presented by President Dwight D.

 

Eisenhower in his last speech before leaving office. In his speech, Eisenhower warned

 

America of the military-industrial complex and of placing political power into the wrong

 

hands. The movie dedicates a good portion of time discussing all of the different wars

 

that the US has been involved in during the last 50 years. The movie presented the idea

 

that in each and every military conflict that the United States has been involved in, that

 

the American people were deliberately lied to in order to begin the war. The movie

 

provides evidence to back this thesis for WWII, the Vietnam War, Operation Iraqi

 

Freedom, and many other wars. Another portion of the movie attempts to explain what

 

Eisenhower meant by “military-industrial complex” and how it is present in our society. 

 

The movie suggests that the military-industrial complex consists of the Congress,

 

businesses, and think-tanks. According to the movie, all of these components benefit by a

 

war. For instance, businesses often compete for contracts for new technology for

 

weapons as well as with reconstructing contracts as in Iraq. Congressmen also benefit

 

from war because they gain votes every time companies and factories come into their

 

state and offer job opportunities. The movie finally suggest that another player has risen

 

into the picture and that is the think-tank. These groups discuss problems and issues that

 

could theoretically play a role in future foreign policy. One think tank in D.C. stated that

 

in came up with the idea that Iran and North Korea were “evil” long before the Bush

 

administration did so. The moral question that arises from these issues is whether we

 

should be endangering the lives of our soldiers, the lives of the innocent people whom we

 

invade, and the foundation of our country, just to help businesses and politicians profit.

 

            I learned a whole new perspective of war and the supposed reasons that some

 

people are posing for why we fight. I don’t feel that it is right for our elected officials to

 

ever lie to the people who put them into office. I really did agree with the position of the

 

NYC police officer who lost his son on 9/11. He felt so upset that he said he was willing

 

to believe anything in order to get revenge for his son’s death. I remember after

 

September 11 that I felt the same way as the police officer did. The way that the movie

 

presented the data illuminated to me just how susceptible we are as a people to quick

 

judgments and easy fixes without really thinking about the consequences of our actions.

 

            In retrospect, and after watching this video, it makes sense as to how certain

 

people can benefit from war. Although it makes sense, it still disgusts me to know that

 

there are people in office who are only interested in themselves instead of the good of this

 

country, all it stands for, and for the common good of humanity. Because of this video, I

 

feel that I am more aware of how money and financial success affects even those in the

 

highest positions in the world. Why We Fight opened my eyes to the destructive trap that

 

is the military-industrial complex. Although some wars are just, I will always be more

 

cautious and open-minded about war and the reasons for fighting.