Almost every piece that was covered in the “Peace and War” unit had its share of death and destruction. These pieces are in this section for the purpose of telling future generations how awful war is. We read about brutal deaths from breathing in deadly gas. We read about soldiers laying face down in mud, while they dream of being home with the women they love. We read stories about Ron Kovic and how excited he was to join the marines. He thought of it as another athletic challenge. By the end of the story he is a paraplegic with hate running through him. Yet we still have people who are thrilled to enlist in some sort of service. Yet we still go to war. We keep on teaching our children about the hor

However, sometimes war can not be avoided. When this is the case, we must look at the people in power. Are they making the right decisions? Should we have gotten involved at all? How many troops should we send? Are they just power hungry? We see one side of this argument in “From a German War Primer” by Brecht. The people are in pain while those in power flourish. “THOSE AT THE TOP SAY: This way to glory. Those down below say: This way to the grave.” It is the leaders’ decision on whether or not we go to war, yet we are the ones suffering and dying. The soldiers do all of the work, while the leaders get accommodation for their brilliant decision making. “It is sweet and proper to die for one’s own country.” This is what the leaders want their soldiers to think. They want them to think that their fight is not for nothing when in fact it might be.

If we see war as a horrible thing, what do others think of it? What do the people on the other side think about war? The selections, “Americans are not Beautiful” and “The Butchering at Wounded Knee” answers these questions very well. Both of these stories show death and destruction, just as the stories by Ron K

Some topics in this essay:
Native Americans, Throughout America’s, Primer” Brecht, Thousands American, Ron Kovic, Native American, Vietnam War, Wounded Knee”, death destruction, Kovic Owen, native americans, american troops, stories ron, vietnam war, ron kovic, stories ron kovic, wounded knee”,