What is it Good For? - Sam Flomenhoft

Throughout history the human race has been witness to many violent, bloody wars, leaving innumerable carnage and the devastation of civilizations. Along with the wars, there are people who argue that it was the wrong choice to go to war, and there are people who argue it was the right choice. While many times, war can be avoided and I would side with the first argument, I cannot deny the fact that there have been times in our history when war was inevitable.
 The example that first comes to mind when I think of an unavoidable war is World War II. Hitler was tearing through Europe, gobbling up defenseless nations, and destroying cultures and livelihoods. Originally, an attempt to avoid war was made by British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain when he implemented his policy of appeasement. This failed when Adolf Hitler didn't stop with the smaller countries, he originally claimed were his only goal and moved on to the rest of Europe. The United States tried to circumvent the war as well, maintaining a biased slant towards the British effort, yet restraining from engaging in any combat. This position was no longer acceptable to keep after December 7, 1941, when the Japanese air force bombed a United States naval base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. In both these situations the countries retaliating (the USA and Britain) had two options: 1) stand idly by while their countries and others were destroyed, or 2) defend the world against domination by a twisted dictator. Human conscious tells us the first choice is not an option, so both chose the latter, and we went to war.
Most times I would agree with the fact that war isn't the only option. Some conflicts could have have been evaded, such as the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, or Operation Enduring Freedom (the War in Afghanistan), but when there are injustices in the world such as genocide, persecution, or slavery, as human beings we are pushed to war as an only option. The other option, to ignore these evils, is unacceptable and that is why, sometimes, war is necessary.