Table of Contents
Introduction
American Wars vs. American Values
American values American Illusions
Americans value honor We fight for the right reasons
Illusion 1:
We fight for peace and democracy Paul Buchheit Founder, Global Initiative Chicago
Illusion 2:
We fight to defend our personal freedoms Judi Nitsch Anti-War Activist, Chicago City Colleges
Americans value truthfulness We can believe our decision-makers
Illusion 3:
Our government tells us the truth about war Cindy Sheehan Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives
Illusion 4:
We stay in Iraq to prevent further bloodshed among Iraqis Joshua Holland Editor, AlterNet Raed Jarrar Iraqi Political Analyst, American Friends Service Committee
Illusion 5:
The mainstream media gives us balanced reporting Anup Shah Founder and Editor, Global Issues
Americans value self-awareness WE UNDERSTAND HOW WAR AFFECTS US
Illusion 6:
War doesn’t impact me personally Maureen Dolan Professor of Peace Studies, DePaul University
Illusion 7:
The military will take good care of our soldiers Tod Ensign Veteran᾿s Rights Lawyer, Director of Citizen Soldier
Illusion 8:
War boosts the economy for all Americans Jesu Estrada Anti-War and Pro-Labor Activist, Chicago City Colleges
Illusion 9:
We always win Vic Blazier Iraq War veteran and member of Iraq Veterans Against the War
Americans value compassion We do not mistreat the enemy
Illusion 10:
Suffering is minimized in today’s wars Kathy Kelly Voices for Creative Non-Violence
Illusion 11:
Our modern military warfare only kills the ‘bad guys᾿ Marc Herold University of New Hampshire, Departments of Economics and Women’s Studies
Illusion 12:
‘Collateral damage’ is an impersonal by-product of war Gayle Brandeis CodePINK
Illusion 13:
War is temporary Sherwood Ross Journalist
Americans value altruism We are making the world a better place
Illusion 14:
America’s relationship with Israel promotes stability in the Middle East Ghada Talhami Professor of Middle East Politics at Lake Forest College
Illusion 15:
Developing countries ultimately benefit from our wars for democracy Maurice Carney Friends of the Congo
Illusion 16:
The environmental consequences of war are insignificant Tom Hastings Professor of Peace & Nonviolence Studies at Portland State University
Americans value realism War is inevitable
Illusion 17:
I personally have no better options than the military Amy Meyers Chicago Coalition Against War & Racism
Illusion 18:
Wars result from the aggressive nature of human beings Arun Gandhi Founder of the Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence
Illusion 19:
Humans are inevitably driven to war Howard Zinn American historian, political scientist, social critic, and activist