Assignment 9- Kristin

War is not something that should be taken lightly.  It causes a plethora of deaths and casualties, not to mention the enormous amount of money and resources it costs.  However, the time for war should be when a country's citizens have their safety infringed upon.  When millions of people are left in fear or terror of an outside threat, it is the government's duty to do what it can to alleviate that threat.

Even so, war should definitely not be the first option.  Because of the immense physical, mental, and emotional price a country must pay to go to war, it should be avoided unless totally and 100% necessary.  A government's leaders must think of all options and weigh them against each other.  Negotiations may be difficult, but they are much less dangerous and costly than fighting.

The line between necessary and avoidable is hard to draw.  I am a pacifist at heart, so I don't want to see anyone in pain or battle.  However, sometimes a country needs to stand it's ground and protect it's people, especially if a destructive force threatens it.  I believe that war is dangerous and risky and should be avoided at all costs, but if it is the only option left, it cannot be avoided.