After Iraq and Afghanistan, why are so many people putting so much faith in war?

From the Pew Research Center Most Would Use Force to Stop Iranian Nukes 10/06/09:

The public approves of direct negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program, although most Americans are not hopeful the talks will succeed. And a strong majority – 61% – says that it is more important to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, even if it means taking military action. Far fewer (24%) say it is more important to avoid a military conflict with Iran, if it means that the country may develop nuclear weapons.

There is broad willingness across the political spectrum to use military force to prevent Iran from going nuclear. Seven-in-ten Republicans (71%) and two-thirds of independents (66%) say it is more important to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons even if it means taking military action. Fewer Democrats (51%) express this view; still, only about three-in-ten Democrats (31%) say it is more important to avoid a military conflict with Iran, if it means Tehran may develop nuclear weapons.

Since both the International Atomic Energy Agency and US intelligence are saying that Iran does even currently have a nuclear weapons program, these results are particularly striking. For one thing, they do show an excessive faith in the use of force, i.e., war, and an unhealthy willingness to resort to it. But it also shows what a pitiful job our sad excuse for a national news media is doing reporting on this. Steve Hynd gives some of the details on the New York Times' latest entry for the Judith Miller Warmongering Prize in The Man-Judys Of The N.Y. Times Newshoggers blog 10/04/09.

Tags: iran, iran war, militarism

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