Submitted by Morgan Williams
"No. He would never do that. He wouldn't even hurt a fly", said a mother of a twelve year old boy name Sam. Sam's mother just received the news from Sam's principle that Sam punched a classmate during lunch. She is shocked to learn this because Sam is a very good kid and always has been. Plus Sam just enrolled in this new school, and has never caused in problems at his previous school. What she doesn't know however that this new school has a different environment from what he is used to at his other school. The students in this school are hostile, violent, and mean. Sam adopted this way of behavior and end up punching another student in the mouth because the student shoved him while walking. Sam's bad behavior is an example of The Lucifer Effect, which is when a good person is placed in a hostile environment then turns for the worst. In todays society one can compare American soldiers to Sam, and Sam's new school to Iraq. American soldiers are men and women who are looked at as great wonderful people by their loved ones, and by American citizens who support troops. These set of people can be compared to Sam's mother who thinks Sam wouldn't hurt a fly. Of course the soldiers loved ones and the American citizens know that the soldiers will have to fight and kill over in Iraq, but only if its necessary. They would never think their good justice seeking soldiers would torture another out of pleasure. Nor, would they think they would rape Iranian women for laughs. Unfortunately there have been many reports of American Soldiers abusing, raping, and mistreating Iranian citizens. And not because it was for "justice" but because they felt like it.
"No. He would never do that. He wouldn't even hurt a fly", said a mother of a twelve year old boy name Sam. Sam's mother just received the news from Sam's principle that Sam punched a classmate during lunch. She is shocked to learn this because Sam is a very good kid and always has been. Plus Sam just enrolled in this new school, and has never caused in problems at his previous school. What she doesn't know however that this new school has a different environment from what he is used to at his other school. The students in this school are hostile, violent, and mean. Sam adopted this way of behavior and end up punching another student in the mouth because the student shoved him while walking. Sam's bad behavior is an example of The Lucifer Effect, which is when a good person is placed in a hostile environment then turns for the worst. In todays society one can compare American soldiers to Sam, and Sam's new school to Iraq. American soldiers are men and women who are looked at as great wonderful people by their loved ones, and by American citizens who support troops. These set of people can be compared to Sam's mother who thinks Sam wouldn't hurt a fly. Of course the soldiers loved ones and the American citizens know that the soldiers will have to fight and kill over in Iraq, but only if its necessary. They would never think their good justice seeking soldiers would torture another out of pleasure. Nor, would they think they would rape Iranian women for laughs. Unfortunately there have been many reports of American Soldiers abusing, raping, and mistreating Iranian citizens. And not because it was for "justice" but because they felt like it.
Above are two pictures of American Soldiers abusing Iranian citizens. The first picture shows an American Soldier pointing amusingly at the genitals of Iranian men who stand naked in shame. The second picture shows an American Solider sitting arrogantly and staring proudly at a Iranian men who is bent over in pain and fear. Both pictures display cruelty and humiliation done by American soldiers. The two soldiers are probably good citizens of America, and probably never thought they would ever do what they are doing to these Iranians in their life. Their loved ones and other people of America couldn't imagine them doing these things either. Not out of enjoyment that is. Being placed in this war over in Iraq has lead this good men and women to act cruel and inhumane.
War is a very violent and disturbing event. It is said to make many people change for the worst. This is what happens to our troops who go to war. They see and witness unthinkably and horribly things that make them angry and upset. They end up seeing Iranian people not as human beings but, as animals or worse as vermin. Our soldiers turn into evil abusers when they were once just men and women who wanted to fight for justice for our country. Torturing others out of spite is not justice, and never will be. I found more cruel pictures of American soldiers beating Iranian citizens to death, and a few gang rapping pictures. The two both are the most innocent ones I found. These pictures are exampled of good men and women experiencing the Lucifer Effect. Going from being a good fighter for freedom, to a evil master of torture.
Alahya McKelvey
ReplyDeleteVery interesting argument. I agree with your point about war being a very dangerous and hostile environment and yes it does change people but how much change does it really cause? I don't think its safe to assume that just because a person is put into a hostile environment they become hostile also. What if these people were hostile before going to war and they just hid it well? What if the whole reason they joined the army was to kill, rape and torture other individuals without any penalties? It's not OK to generalize that these Americans were well adjusted before the war and the war turned them into monsters. What about the individuals that went to Iraq and actually did some good?