Every so often an event comes to pass that compels us, as Americans, toexamine our collective conscience in order to grasp our responsibilitiesas the dominant world power. Most often we are left to decide whetherto use our might for the good of the world around us or just watch.

In the wake of recent events such as our bombing of Iraqi missile sites,this often-posed question must once again be weighed at the pendulum ofAmerican choice.

However, when I read the news and hear of theatrocious neglect for human life that defines the world around us, I seeno reason why this question remains. Therefore, let us observe adistant past so that we may see how our nation?s history implores us todefend human life and serve as the world police.

Americans chose to take an isolationist stance prior to our involvementin World War II, thus our country opted to watch nations of peopleslaughtered by Hitler?s regime. However, on December 22nd, 1941, PearlHarbor was attacked by Japanese airplanes resulting in the loss of 2,403men.

Additionally, every battleship in the pacific fleet, eight in all, wasdestroyed. We then were ultimately dragged into an inevitable war. Thelate arrival resulted in an uphill battle that was coupled with numerouslosses to our side?many of those losses could have been avoided bytaking a stand.

Some say that we should only involve ourselves in world problems thataffect us. This Operation Desert Storm outlook is nearly as evil asdoing the crime against humanity ourselves. Only when our oil priceswere at stake did we offer to help the people being slaughtered bySaddam Hussein?s regime, and send our troops to the region. Onceinvolved, our few losses saved thousands of lives without much effort atall. Yes, this selflessness is what make America land of the free homeof the brave.

Shame on us.

There appears to be only three decisions when looking at this questionand the first two are not much reason at all. For in the first reasonwe saw how the world is linked and we will eventually be pulled in bywhatever happens around us. The second option is purely out of thequestion, for it is dishonorable, and still falls under the samereasoning as the first. The third and only true answer is to getinvolved and remain the world?s keeper.

So let us examine the lastand only true choice.

Instead of hiding behind international relations, I feel that our nationshould get involved. Obviously, we won?t be able to stop all theinjustice in the world but we can focus on the more atrocious actsagainst human life and shut them down. It may take war and even someAmerican loss, but in the end we will prevent many innocent lives frombeing exterminated by the evil ones of this world.

Let us embrace our responsibility and change the world.

Joshua Wood is an undeclared student and can be reached by email [email protected].