Hawks vs. Doves

"Everyday the sun comes up, says something about us". This was one of the very last lines in the intense, impacting movie, 13 Days. This line poses many very interesting meanings. The fact that God allows the sun to come up must mean that there is still hope in the world. The sun rising is a metaphor for human dignity and human hope. Throughout the movie this metaphor about the sun was used frequently. I think it was a perfect way to sum up the situation of the hawks versus the doves and the whole concept of war and justice. As long as there are people in the world fighting for justice and what is best for everyone then there is always going to be hope for our society. Can a "dove" truly protect the common good? If the person truly has the better cause for the whole in mind, then yes, doves can act for the common good. However, if the dove is secretly acting for a personal motive then no, doves are not working for the common good. In the film there is much evidence of the "doves" supporting the common good according to our CST teachings. The doves seem to think logically the situation at hand, considering the consequences and what may happen to the U.S. They follow every order given from the president and even enforce the president's orders when contradicting orders are given. The doves are looking for the protection of the United States and all its citizens, not just their personally feelings or motives. The dove's actions may have put the U.S. in danger but only due to slow reactions and thoughts they cumulated. When I think to myself can a "hawk" follow the just war guidelines, I often think can the words "just" and "war" be in the same sentence without contradicting one another? Justice and war are on opposite ends of the spectrum, just as war "hawks" and common good are opposite ends of the spectrum. Self-defense against an armed attack is always considered to be a just cause but what the hawks did was not in self-defense, but rather a strategy to position them selves for self-defense. The hawks got President Kennedy to establish rules of engagement, which were held very strict, knowing that during their reconnaissance missions they would be targeted. Also during the quarantine, the navy ship fired upon the soviet ship when given direct order not to fire without the president's consent. Even though it was only flares, it could have sparked a retaliation, which called upon the rules of engagement. Just war guidelines state war must be last resort and the hawks considered very little, if at all, any other options to the situation. The definition of common good is the collective good of all humans worldwide. It is very difficult to determine what common good is when all humans have a different perception of what common good is. People raised in different religions and ethnic background may affect your view of common good. The way you were raised and the language you speak may affect your view of the common good. Not everyone shares the same view of the common good. For example, in 13 Days the hawks may have believed they were striving for the common good. They may have believed that force and war was the best solution to the problem at the time. "There is something wrong about abandoning your own judgment." This quote by President Kennedy shows that common good may vary according to your personal beliefs. Who is to say what common good is except for what we believe according to our past teachings and morals. For example, the war in Iraq has declined the U.S. economy tremendously, however citizens of Iraq are benefiting. Democracy is being established, education is more readily available to more children. Is it for the common good that the U.S. suffers in order to benefit another? Common good varies individually to each person affecting his or her decisions. "If the sun comes up tomorrow, its only because of men of goodwill, that is all that stands between us and the devil." What stands between the doves and the hawks is the striving to do the best for everyone rather than their own motives. Even though the Hawks causes for war were unjust, they viewed it as the common good. Although it is people like the doves who we should imitate our actions, rather than follow in the shadow of the hawks.