Why does the United States send troops out of the country? If one was to ask twenty people, he or she would receive twenty-one different responses. The political environment is often viewed from the average citizen as black and white, and without nuance. Military intervention is no exception – especially the War on Terror and the Iraq War. Popularly held beliefs amongst the average American assume that Democrats are “bleeding heart hippies” with no backbone, and that Republicans are corporate puppets are hungry for war. As such, many people assume that a Republican president will likely lead the United States into war, while Democrats will reduce military spending and usage. Two recent examples one can look at are former President George W.
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This speech is the final nail in the “U.S. versus Them” frame. In the opening remarks, Bush notes that the “civilized world faces unprecedented dangers.” This sets the scene with undertones of impending extended conflict in the Middle East. While much of this speech spends time praising the accomplishments of the fledgling War on Terror, it is heavily mixed with implications of an extended conflict. One of the most famous moments in this address is when he denounces several countries by name and announces that they are “an axis of evil” with large potential to cause harm to the perceived peace of the world. Later in this address, Bush mentions he will increase the defense budget to the highest it has ever been in twenty years. He argues that it is necessary because, as evidenced by the September 11th attacks, “America is no longer protected by vast oceans (“State of the Union Address to the 107th Congress”).” This address provides several different points from which a “U.S. versus Them” frame can be made. Most importantly, the “axis of evil” sentiment provides a clear antagonist that the United States must fight against in order to maintain the perceived common good of the
This speech is the final nail in the “U.S. versus Them” frame. In the opening remarks, Bush notes that the “civilized world faces unprecedented dangers.” This sets the scene with undertones of impending extended conflict in the Middle East. While much of this speech spends time praising the accomplishments of the fledgling War on Terror, it is heavily mixed with implications of an extended conflict. One of the most famous moments in this address is when he denounces several countries by name and announces that they are “an axis of evil” with large potential to cause harm to the perceived peace of the world. Later in this address, Bush mentions he will increase the defense budget to the highest it has ever been in twenty years. He argues that it is necessary because, as evidenced by the September 11th attacks, “America is no longer protected by vast oceans (“State of the Union Address to the 107th Congress”).” This address provides several different points from which a “U.S. versus Them” frame can be made. Most importantly, the “axis of evil” sentiment provides a clear antagonist that the United States must fight against in order to maintain the perceived common good of the