While the 1900 contest between Bryan vs. McKinley was taking place, America was bogged down attempting to end an insurrection in the Philippines. Glance through this
Philippine-American War site and choose one incident from this war that seems to you worth addressing in a presidential campaign either on the pro-war or anti-war side.
I am pro war and running for president. I choose the assassination of Luna as my support against wars. He was a well educated man until he was arrested for being called a traitor during the wars. He went into training to become a general, and soon became a very harsh military leader. He alienated most of the troops he led, and was vicious and vile to everyone. He was assassinated from a stabbing and shooting assault as an attempt to mug him. He fought back, and others tried to defend him, but he died anyway. This could have been prevented if the current war didn't cause fear in everyone to blame everyone else as a traitor. He could have been a leading scientist or doctor, but instead Luna turned into a brutal general.
ReplyDeleteI would look to the Luna Assassination for either side. If you wanted to take a pro-war approach, point out that he was the enemy. Born in Manila, a powerful general, those wanting to go to war would revel happily at the death of a leader. He also was known to be quick to anger, slapping his underlings the article reads, and constantly disarming others for "cowardice".
ReplyDeleteI, personally, though would look at an antiwar campaign. I have listened to enough John Lennon to know the value of war as opposed to peace. I would point out that Luna's brother, Juan, is thought as one of the finest painters of the area. I would point out his intelligence. He could read and write and so on all by the age of 6. In such a country, it was rare to have such a privilege at the time. In all honesty, some Americans, full grown, still could not read or write well. He was a reform leader, pushing for "Filipino equality before law." Still, he favored reform over most. Including independence, as the article says, so it is really not a surprise he was assassinated after relieving several members of his command of duty. They started their own militia and mobbed the general, stabbing him and shooting him. To be assassinated in such a cowardly manner could greatly aid the anti-war cause. Then again, such cowardice could spark more anger towards the country and have more of a pro-war effect as well.
It is difficult to come to as a decision as such, but in any case I stand beside the blind notion of peace. Luna was not a bad man who deserved to die. He was educated and respected, and such events are truly a tragedy to have transpired.
I chose to discuss the assassination of Luna. I would do an antiwar campaign. War is a simple conflict that gets blow out of proportion with a result of many casualties. I feel as though Luna should not have died because he was an amazing man. Luna was well educated and wanted equality for everyone. His people respected him and his death was a tragedy for all.
ReplyDeleteSamantha Chastain
The assassination of Luna is my discussion. I agree with an anti war campaign because I feel that war is only destructive and doesn't really get us anywhere. Luna was a pioneer for people who wanted peace and I respect him a lot.
ReplyDeleteThe assassination of Luna is my discussion. I agree with an anti war campaign because I feel that war is only destructive and doesn't really get us anywhere. Luna was a pioneer for people who wanted peace and I respect him a lot.
ReplyDelete