Making an Argument about War

Making an Argument about War War historians, political analysts and researchers have demonstrated evidence that war is as old as mankind. In prehistoric era, civilizations used to engage in armed conflict fueled by factors such as population pressure, consolidation of geographical areas and conflict over resources (McPherson 12).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Making an Argument about War specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Presently, countries still engage in war for many other reasons that were absent during the prehistoric era, such as fighting terrorism, driving dictatorial political regimes out of power, and stopping other countries from developing weapons of mass destruction. Debate has been wide-ranging about the necessity of war in the 21st century, with anti-war advocates arguing that war is not a necessary ingredient to the progression of man (Landry para. 3), while war supporters counteract by arguing that war is necessary for the advan cement and stability of the world. It is against this background that this paper aims to outline arguments demonstrating that war is still necessary in the 21st century despite its social, economic and political costs. It is indeed true that acts of war unnecessarily claim many innocent lives, particularly civilians who are caught in the crossfire and who have absolutely nothing to do with the war. The U.S. invasion of Iraq to dislodge Saddam Hussein bears witness to this fact as thousands of innocent Iraqis lost their lives while many more were maimed. The economic cost of the Second Gulf War is hard to quantify for both the invaders and the aggressed nation. But from the utilitarian perspective, the Iraq war is justified since it achieved a greater good to a large number of Iraqis, not mentioning that the world in general and the Middle East in particular became more stable after Saddam was dethroned and a new political order instituted (McPherson 15). Today, many more Iraqis enjo y a whole new range of freedoms and rights that they could not dare to ask under the dictatorial leadership of Saddam Hussein. Consequently, this war was justified by the virtue of the fact that most Iraqis can now enjoy their democratic rights and human rights, and people are no longer coerced to live in fear. Some political leaders, especially in Africa, have been known to refuse to hand over power even after serving as presidents for decades. Recently, the world learned with shock how Tunisians have been subjected to the same president, Ben Ali, for over two-and-half decades.Advertising Looking for essay on social sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Presently, NATO forces are engaged in removing yet another political demagogue in the name of Muammar Gaddafi of Libya, who has been in power for over four decades but has flatly refused to cede power. Using the jus ad bellum (just cause) perspective (Suzuki 3), it can be argued that NATO forces are justified to participate in such a war that will benefit Libyans, economically, socially, and politically, once the heavy lid of the their dictatorial president is lifted. However, necessary caution need to be taken when progressing such an offensive to ensure that Gaddafi soldiers and his military installations, not civilians, become the target of the NATO bombings. This will make the military campaign and any other military campaigns undertaken to dislodge static and unyielding political regimes more justified, permissible and valid. The U.S. is currently engaged in undertaking preemptive attacks against terrorist targets in Afghanistan, Iraq and in other parts of the world. Critics, human rights activists and other lobby groups have criticized these preemptive attacks, arguing that they only contribute to loss of lives and destruction of infrastructure. It would be irresponsible to support this line of argument while turning a blind eye on wh at befell innocent Americans in the infamous 9/11 terrorist attacks on U.S. soil. According to the consequentialism view, the U.S., and indeed any other country, is justified to wage war on terrorists using preemptive attacks to destabilize the terror networks since such a policy will occasion the best overall balance of good over bad (Suzuki 9). Although it’s sad that a few innocent lives are lost during such preemptive attacks, the desire to prevent hundreds or even thousands of innocent lives that these terrorists are waiting with baited breadth to decimate renders justification to the war. Lastly, some countries are known to attack their neighbors with a view to forcefully extract precious natural resources from them. It can be remembered that Iraq under Saddam Hussein attacked Kuwait for her gas, while Uganda, located in Africa, sent her troops to the Democratic Republic of Congo to forcefully extract gold and diamonds. In such invasions, the aggressed states are justifi ed to go to war against the aggressors to protect their resources. Borrowing from the traditional view, â€Å"†¦war is permissible if and only if it is fought as being necessary to defend the attacked party from aggression† (Suzuki 5). It is therefore irresponsible for an aggressed state to sit back and watch her civilians being massacred by an aggressor who is only interested in extracting or ‘stealing’ resources for enrichment. To conclude, this paper has comprehensively engaged the utilitarian, just cause, consequentialist, and traditional perspectives to justify that war is still necessary in modern times. It is a well known fact that war initiates violence, which is generally impermissible in its nature and scope (Suzuki 4).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Making an Argument about War specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The reasons given for going to war, however, weigh heavily on the purs uit of a peaceful and stable world. Leaders and countries therefore need to be particularly careful not to tamper with factors, conditions or situations that may render justification to war. Landry, P. â€Å"On War.† 2011. Retrieved from blupete.com/Literature/Essays/BluePete/War.htm McPherson, J.M. This Mighty Scourge: Perspectives on the Civil War. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 2007 Suzuki, M. War and Massacre. 2006

How a Freelance Writers Promotes Their Name

How a Freelance Writers Promotes Their Name A while back, I created a post titled How to Further Your Writing Name. The feedback was pretty positive, but one reader replied, Good article! A similar article from you is to write the same for nonfiction freelancers. It would be very helpful. So if you are a freelance writer, here is a list of how you can promote yourself and your brand. To start with, its simple. Each and every single day you promote yourself. For instance: 1) Write a guest blog post and pitch it. Any nonfiction article youve written makes you a semi-expert on the topic. The 2) Leave deep, well-written, intelligent replies on other blogs demonstrating who you are and how personable you are. This works for any sort of writer. 3) Post on social media something related to your brand or writing. Make your social media page as good or better than your website, where people come to get a taste of your expertise and personality. 4) Find mentors on social media and connect with a post. 5) Create a small book with a collection of the articles youve written as a sort of resume. 6) Connect with a local bookstore with above-said book and speak. 7) Connect with a library and speak about being a freelancer, or a topic on which youve written. 8) Attend a library event then introduce yourself to the speaker while gathering intel for new articles. 9) Join the Chamber of Commerce and send them an ad. 10) Attend a Chamber event and give out your card or above-mentioned book. Chambers have many members who need freelance material and prefer to remain in the fold of membership to do business. 11) Start a biweekly or monthly newsletter about the niche in which you write. 12) Create an email signature block about your writing. 13) Write a feature for the local paper. 14) Speak at the area service organization breakfasts and lunches (Rotary Club, Lions Club, Civitan Club, etc.) 15) Write a feature and pitch it to a local magazine. 16) Attend all sorts of events in your area to see if they can joggle ideas for stories, but most of all, meet the people there. Ask questions of the speakers or experts present, introducing yourself. 17) Send letters to your politicians, telling them what you admire about their platform or recent stance, and let them know youd be happy to write for them or about them. 18) Start a podcast about being a freelance writer. Clearly note your brand whether it be sassy, uplifting,   educational, or investigative. 19) Write reviews for nonfiction authors, emailing them with a copy of the review, your card, and a thank-you for writing the book. 20) Become familiar with the other freelancers in your area. They will refer material to you. 21) Never leave home without your business cards. Give one out per day. 22) Ask a school if you can make a presentation. Dont forget colleges. 23) Contact your local community center and ask about making a presentation. 24) Send postcards to your community make them simple and professional. Few freelancers think of this, which means they are putting themselves into everyones head as the only freelancer they knowwhich means recommendations. 25) Send a press release to your local television station  to the specific journalist who does human interest pieces about the most amazing story youve ever covered. The go-to story you love to tell. 26) Be seen writing. 27) Write Freelance author in any place that asks for your profession. 28) Tell someone you are a freelance writer and have snappy and colorful answers for those standard questions of What do you write?, Where can I read your work?, and How can I do what you do, too? Do not waffle. Own being an expert. 29) Focus on becoming known as the writer who sees all, or promotes the positive, or loves his hometown/state, or some other brand/niche so that you are easily memorable. 30) Create striking cards. Never go with a standard Vistaprint template. Spend the extra money on something memorable. 31) Never meet anyone without letting them know who you are and what you dowith a card. Keep a calendar. Each day you promote yourself in any way, cross it off with a big red X. Be honest. And when you dont, leave it blatantly blank. Develop the habit of self-promotion. The point is to become that person everyone recognizes as that writer, not just someone who sometimes writes.