Revised Essay 2
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KunHye S
Aug 9, 2009, 2:51:12 AM8/9/09
to English 101 summer 09
Revised
Part 1
Filling the Gap
Gas Price Rocketing, Oil Crisis Comeback after 35 Years, Soaring Gas
Price Hitting New Records, the Second Great Depression, Panic of 2008,
the Crash of 2008, Black Week... In May 2008, oil market started
shaking, and then, the price soared up making new records everyday. In
the following fall, with several failures of large financial
institutions, came a new era of stock market crash. Despite the
deafening alarm, many Americans were still wandering in their long-
undisturbed dream while a few were wakened with the heavy blow. Andrew
Bacevich was among the early enlightened individuals. Through his
several books, the Limits of Power becoming the most remarkable,
Bacevich has endeavored to wake the asleep. He warns them of the
present national crises by leading the path to the root of the
predicament: profligacy. Singing lullabies of indulgence, some critics
or defenders of the ignorant stand against him. Although they
stubbornly deny the fact America is facing downhill, the cruel truth
cannot be missed when looked at a step behind. The striking exposure
did not arrive in a moment but over a long period of time. Opening
the first chapter of the Limits of Power, Bacevich says “The present-
day gap between requirements and the means available to satisfy those
requirements … defines the crisis of American profligacy” (Bacevich,
2009, p. 17). The build-up from profligacy to the current crises is
the fruit of the gap between what is ideal and what is real: The ideal
craves for more while the real holds a thin wallet. Instead of wishing
the dream of abundance will last forever, Americans must wake up and
confront the limits of American super power as the day of reckoning
approaches.
The Gap Creation
At the time of American Revolution, freedom meant self-governance. It
was to refuse monarchy and embrace independent government that
protected “inalienable rights” as stated in the Declaration of
Independence. The long history of profligacy embarked when the
misinterpretation of freedom first began. As economy grew well in
America, people started to accept freedom as economic prosperity. The
modest start of the new nation merged into a country of individualism,
selfishness, and even greed. Observing the market revolution era,
Alexis De Tocqueville once depicted the new stream of profligacy very
concisely in his book Democracy in America. He wrote, “In the United
States, a man builds a house in which to spend his old age, and sells
it before the roof is on; he plants a garden and [rents] it just as
the trees are coming into bearing; he brings field into tillage and
leaves other men to gather crops” (1863, p. 164). In Tocqueville's
eyes, the settlers quenched their desire of freedom in practicing self-
profiting. While many wealthy middle-class men appeared in the era,
some were tragically excluded. Those who were not so successful
seizing any economic opportunities became so-called wage workers
provided with unequal freedom. In a protest against their employers,
some young mill women charged their factory owners as “the oppressive
hand of avarice [that] would enslave us” (Foner, 2008, p. 346). From
that era on, the rich, in order to grasp their transformed definition
of freedom, exploited on others' freedom. The practice of greed
fostered profligacy perpetually.
The Gap Expansion
In 1803, President Jefferson made a historical real-estate bargain
through Louisiana Purchase. Regardless of his belief in small
government for maximum individual freedom, the financial prosperity
the territory would bring forth was tempting enough for Jefferson to
abandon his conviction. To Jefferson, achieving economic well-being,
thus needing more land seemed to coincide with the ideal Declaration
of Independence provided. Importantly, the even set an innovating
precedent in foreign policy: To satisfy the hungry American appetites,
the country had to expand outward regardless of any means. Many
crucial cases later on such as the Mexican War, World War II, Cold
War, and the most current Iraq War, bore seemingly successful fruits
based upon the Louisiana Purchase model. All these achievements
bestowed the United States with sole super power. Bacevich viewed the
newly defined characteristic of U.S. foreign policy as “pragmatism”
coupled with “opportunism” (Bacevich, 2008, p. 22). Whenever laid
certain sources of advantage, America responded immediately grasping
the opportunity in order to satisfy its massive desire for more. The
success in seizing the chances created bigger America, thus providing
more abundance.
The Gap Failure
Finally stepping on top in world pyramid after World War II, the U.S.
set its national security objective as triumph of freedom everywhere.
As time passed, the American presidents gained more power along with
growing national power. For they believed such was a suitable reward
to their good governance, the presidents started hand-picking some
elites in favor of their ideology to derive out advice and answers to
the national security goals. Bacevich called the elites the “Wise
Men” (p. 101) who took up seats in Washington without the publics'
will but the president himself. “The government of the people, by the
people, for the people” met a hindrance due to its commander of chief
overexerting his authority. This political problem gave birth to many
wars in American history. Among them, Iraq War and the War in Middle
East turned out to be the most disastrous which yielded a remarkable
revelation. Whereas Bush declared to bring freedom in Iraq, blindly
supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom on behalf of intensifying American
prerogative, many critiques claim the war had to do with the oil Iraq
possessed. A congressional resolution passed in 2008 solely advocates
the assertion. On July 31, Oil for Iraq Liberation Act of 2008 was
introduced in the House of Representatives demanding a prohibition on
certain activities regarding the petroleum resources in Iraq. In its
findings, the bill suggested many greedy activities done by American
oil companies and, strikingly, the government. According to one of the
findings, the Department of State Organized a team of U.S. advisers
who helped Iraqi Oil Ministry negotiated contracts for oil production.
It saw such oil-friendly policies as to grab “a chance to get a foot
in the door with regards to future Iraqi [oil] production” (Kucinich,
2008). Even if the war's prior goal was not the oil, the petroleum
resources became a major part of the war. It is clear that avarice for
securing more foreign oil pitched in the poorly excused war. However,
defining the purpose of the war is not the “remarkable revelation”
mentioned above. It is rather the result. Although a few oil companies
or politicians might be benefiting from Iraq War, the entire country
is facing a ruin. Current budget crises, economic catastrophe, and the
protracted, tiresome war tell the truth. Failure to recognize the
limited resource yet keep desiring brought forth the American
predicament.
“I knew that I had come face to face with someone whose mere
personality was so fascinating that, if I allowed it to do so, it
would absorb my whole nature, my whole soul, my very art
itself” (Wilde, 1985, p. 10). In the novel the Picture of Dorian Gray
by Oscar Wilde, a painter named Basil makes this statement describing
the impression upon meeting Dorian Gray, a pure, handsome boy. It is
an ironic and, at the same time, metaphoric speech because Dorian Gray
is the one who allows his desire to consume his beautiful soul. Dorian
Gray indulges in every kind of pleasure until he drops dead as an
ugly, foul, old man in the end. In one of the last few chapters, Lord
Henry, the cause of Dorian's depravity, asks Dorian Gray quoting a
street-preacher, “'what does it profit a man if he gain the whole
world and lose' … 'his own soul'?” (Wilde, 1985, p. 236). Americans
should be asked a similar question: What does it profit a nation if it
gains the whole super power but loses its inner health? People have to
take an opportunity to self-reflect and narrowing down the gap between
their endless wish-list and their actual affordability in the hope of
rescuing America from the swamp of consumerism and present crises.
References
Bacevich, Adrew. (2009). The limits of power: The end of American
exceptionalism. New York: Holt Paperback.
Foner, Eric. (2008). Give me liberty!: An American history. New York:
Norton.
Kucinich, Rep. D. 2008, July 31. To prohibit certain activities
relating to the petroleum resources of Iraq, and for other purposes.
US House of Representatives.
Wilde, Oscar. (1985). The picture of Dorian Gray. London: Penguin
Group.
Tocqueville, Alexis De. (1863). Democracy in America. Cambridge: Sever
and Francis.
Part 2
The Nightmare
Nervously biting her nails, Tiffany is sitting in an office filled
with sinister looking men. Abruptly, another man followed by more
intimidating figures comes into the room. The man sits down in an
armchair across Tiffany. Tiffany stops her motion and anxiously waits
for the guy to speak while trying her best to avoid eye contact. He
starts the conversation, or rather a menacing threat. “Do you know why
you are here?” the man asked. There was no answer. With a louder
voice, he asks again, “Then, do you know how much money you owe me?”
Startled, the girl finally looks at him. The men in the room grin at
the poor girl.
Just like any other girls at her school, Tiffany is a typical college
student who loves shopping. Attending an university in a wealthy
neighborhood, her rich friends have passed Tiffany a bad influence of
spending although her financial background cannot afford her to do so.
Her life used be a modest one before she entered college. Born in a
humble preacher's family, she could not enjoy a life of luxury. Her
family motto was thrift and diligence. Growing up under the motto,
Tiffany learned to be happy with whatever she earned through hard
work.
Graduating from high school, leaving her family, and entering a new
school changed her belief system. All the girls around her carried
brand-name bags such as Chanel or Louis Vuitton; They drove expensive
cars like Ferrari or Mercedes; Shopping and partying were their daily
routine. To make friends, Tiffany had to assimilate their ways of
life. That meant resemblance in appearance, and it required a good
source of finance.
The first solution was getting a job, not just any job but a well-
paying one. After a few weeks of job hunting, however, the only
available option she found for a mere college freshman was working as
a waitress at a restaurant. It had been almost two months since she
moved to this new environment, and she still had no decent friends.
Being away from family and old friends in a strange place, she felt
more and more lonely and desperate.
One day, a mail enclosing a tempting message came in. It advertised
to be lending money easily. Although her ears perked up at the offer,
she could not abandon her belief. She just left the mail in her room
and soon forgot about it. As her first payday approached, her
excitement and expectation grew. When she finally opened up the
envelope, she was rather disappointed. All the hard work she had done
seemed worth more than what she was rewarded with. Realizing the
hardship in earning a good deal of money the right way, her belief in
diligence began to erode.
The first thing she turned at was credit cards. She could easily have
a credit card issued. The moment the card was delivered, Tiffany
immediately headed to the mall. Since she did not have to worry about
paying back right away, Tiffany kept on swiping on credit. The limit
was soon reached. Having experienced the easiness of finding a
seemingly good financial back-up, there was no need to worry. She
could issue more cards without difficulty and hesitation. Every time
she received new cards, she recklessly swore to herself that she would
not overuse them.
After several months of abuse, the bills piled up and created a mount
of debts. She did successfully made some friends on campus whom she
often hung out with. While she was enjoying the superficial
extravagance at, the credit card companies started sending her
warnings. When Tiffany ignored them, they cut her limits and
eventually suspended usage. At the end, all she was left with were
threats and statements from the credit companies along with the
shallow friendship.
Tiffany was facing two choices: to confess and ask her parents for
help or to discover another way to resolve the problem. One day, as
she was cleaning her apartment, her eyes were broadened. She spotted
the long-forgotten mail publicizing private money-lending. The ad
said, “We can help you solve your financial problem with easy,
unlimited loan.” The words struck the naive college girl. Without any
second thought, she picked up the phone. Even until the last moment,
she did not comprehend exactly what kind of predicament she would be
forced into by signing the adequate-in-appearance, yet lacking-clarity
contract full of hidden facts.
The importunate calls ceased, and luckily, one of Tiffany's new rich
friends introduced Tiffany to a higher-paying job as a secretary at
her father's law firm. It was not absolutely perfect, but the new life
seemed plausible and satisfying. Tiffany could still shop at brand-
name stores if she balanced her income and spending and controlled
credit card usages. If she met another shortage, help was available
always. She was proud of herself for settling into the new environment
successfully. Credulous-natured Tiffany considered the changes to be
positive and suitable.
In the midst of all the events, a semester almost passed and
Christmas was coming. Planning to surprise her family back in
hometown, Tiffany went shopping for Christmas presents. She returned
with hands-full of bags. At the night of the exhausting day, she
snugged into a warm blanket to watch T.V. The news was on. It was
reporting on a notorious loan-shark group who disguised as a legal
institution to make large amount of illegal profit. The reporter
warned of more possibly existing usurers who present false documents
to deceive gullible people in desperate need of immediate financial
relief.
As if being snapped out of a hypnosis, Tiffany was now disillusioned.
She was concerned about her source. She tried to compare the
description provided by the news with the contract she had signed.
Things tallied accordingly. No matter how hard she tired to shake off
the doubt, the apprehension became to look as reality. Biting her
nails, an old habit of her showing anxiety, she was carried into a
deep sleep in the blanket.
In the dream, she was placed in the loan-sharks' office confronting
the boss. He demanded her money which had been blown up to a doubled
amount due to a large interest. The man even intimidated her with
scary threats such as saying that they would extract her kidney and
sell it in case she could not pay the sum. With the men in the room
grinning at her, the scene changed to a familiar sight. Tiffany was
back in her room.
The dream was not just an ordinary effect of REM sleep. It was a
sign, a warning demanding of her repentance. Grasping the meaning of
her predicament, she began to self-reflect. The problem was huge, but
she had to find a way to end it after all. The answer was obvious. She
had to stop perpetuating lavishness and confess the problem to her
parents. The compensation was great with no doubt, but she finally
committed to take the price for what she had done.
On Christmas that year, Tiffany went to see her family as planned. At
home, she spilled out her wrongdoings and asked for forgiveness. For
the next several years, she studied hard to graduate from college.
When she did, Tiffany got a job which allowed her pay back the heavy
price of profligacy over many more years.
The original
Date: Jul 19, 12:00 am
Subject: notes-on-e2-half-done-drafts-plus-one-day-extension-on-final-
e2-final-draft-post-here-by-saturday-july-18의 토론
To: English 101 summer 09
Part 1
True Meaning of Freedom
Gas Price Rocketing Up, Oil Crisis Coming Back after 35 Years,
Soaring Gas Price Hitting New Record, Coming of the Second Great
Depression, Panic of 2008, the Crash of 2008, Black Week... In May of
2008, oil market started shaking and then soaring up like a rocket. In
the following fall, with several failures of large financial
institutions, came a new era of stock market crash. Despite the
deafening alarm, many Americans were still wandering in their long-
undisturbed dream while a few were wakened with the heavy blow. Andrew
Bacevich was among those enlightened individuals. Through his several
books, the Limits of Power becoming the most remarkable, Bacevich has
endeavored to wake the asleep. He warns them of the present national
crises and presents the path leading to the root of the predicament;
profligacy. Some critics or defenders of the ignorant stand against
him singing lullabies of indulgence. Although they stubbornly deny the
fact America is facing downhill, if the case is looked at a step
behind, it reveals a cruel truth. That striking exposure did not
arrive in a moment but over a long period of time. The build-up from
profligacy to the current crises is the fruit of distorted meaning of
freedom which resides deep down the history of this nation. As “the
day of reckoning” approaches, Americans need to take an opportunity to
self-reflect and redefine the true meaning of freedom in the hope of
rescuing America from a swamp of consumerism and present difficulties.
At the time of American Revolution, freedom meant self-
governance. It
was to refuse monarchy and embrace independent government that
protects “inalienable rights” as stated in the Declaration of
Independence. The long history of profligacy embarked when the
misinterpretation of freedom first began. As economy grew well in
America, people started to accept freedom as economic prosperity. The
modest start of the new nation merged into a country of individualism,
selfishness, and even greed. Observing the market revolution era,
Alexis De Tocqueville once depicted the new stream of profligacy very
concisely in his book Democracy in America. He wrote, “In the United
States, a man builds a house in which to spend his old age, and sells
it before the roof is on; he plants a garden and [rents] it just as
the trees are coming into bearing; he brings field into tillage and
leaves other men to gather crops” (Tocqueville). While many wealthy
middle-class men appeared in the era, some were tragically excluded.
Those who were not so successful seizing any economic opportunities
became so-called “wage workers.” Because no protective laws for
workers properly existed at that time, the wage labor was no different
than slavery. The rich, in order to grasp the transformed definition
of freedom, exploited on others' freedom. The practice of greed
fostered profligacy perpetually. In a protest against their employers,
some young mill women charged their factory owners as “the oppressive
hand of avarice [that] would enslave us” (Foner).
Another change in freedom's purport came when America was
introduced
with what is now its core political ideology: “manifest destiny.” This
time, the infection laid a new path of political policy. The phrase
conveyed that the United Stated had a divinely assigned mission to
expand the territory to overspread democracy, “the development of the
great experiment in liberty.” Another profligacy paradox was to come.
In 1803, President Jefferson made a historical real-estate bargain
through Louisiana Purchase. Regardless of his belief in midget
government for maximum individual freedom, the financial prosperity
the territory would bring forth was tempting enough for Jefferson to
abandon his conviction. To Jefferson, achieving economic well-being,
thus needing more land seemed to coincide with the ideal meaning of
freedom, the right to pursue happiness. However, in the name of
deteriorated freedom, many Indians and blacks in Louisiana territory
now had to suffer their own loss of freedom. The event also set an
innovating precedent in foreign policy: To satisfy the hungry American
appetites, any means were available even if they intruded other
individuals' freedom. Bacevich viewed the newly defined characteristic
of U.S. foreign policy as “pragmatism” coupled with “opportunism,”
financial benefits in the case of Louisiana Purchase, rather than
“idealism,” the true sense of freedom (Bacevich). As another bitter
result, the incident made a precedent in giving the president more
authority than what was mentioned in Constitution.
Throughout the second chapter of The limits of power, Bacevich
bases
on the latter leading instance for the argumentation in political
crisis especially the national security catastrophe. After World War
II, national security objectives sided with triumph of freedom
everywhere. Because of earning more power to govern the nation, the
presidents started hand-picking some elites in favor of his ideology
to derive out advice and answers to the national security goals.
Bacevich called them the “Wise Men,” who took up seats in Washington
without the publics' will but the president himself. “The government
of the people, by the people, for the people” met a hindrance due to
its commander of chief overexerting his freedom. This problem gave
birth to many wars in the past. Among them, Iraq War and the War in
Middle East turned out to be the most disastrous which yet dispensed
another paradox. A resolution which passed immediately on the day of
its submission by the House of Representatives and the Senate without
any amendment and with a huge majority's agreement brought up an issue
of “expressing support for all Iranian citizens who embrace the values
of freedom, human rights, civil liberties, and rule of law, and for
other purposes.” Along with its limited support for Iranians who
seemed favorable to this country, the bill condemned those who
demonstrated against the U.S. policy and Iranian government's
suppression of free communication. American government is already
notorious for its wire-tapping and interfering communication through
the Internet or cellphones. How can a man ask another to take the
speck out of the eye when he himself has a plank in his own eye?
The expanded, degraded meaning of freedom gave birth to
profligacy
and many other paradox which resulted in the present-day affliction
ranging all the way from economy to politics. A country established on
a meek, genuine goal of achieving freedom became a monstrous “super
power” by overlooking its corruption. As depicted in a novel The
picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, Dorian Gray sets off the story
as a pure, handsome boy. Later on, he gets influenced by Lord Henry
who teaches him a new hedonism. Dorian Gray indulges in every kind of
pleasure until he finally drops dead as an ugly old man. Americans
need to learn a lesson from the story. It is not too late to turn
back. The day of reckoning is here now. It is time for us, the
American citizens to take a look back our country, not any other
foreign nations, to find the answer to overcoming the predicament.
Part 2
Nervously biting her nails, Tiffany is sitting in an office
filled
with sinister looking men. Abruptly, another man followed by more
intimidating figures comes into the room. The man sits down in an
armchair across Tiffany. Tiffany stops her motion and anxiously waits
for the guy to speak trying her best to avoid eye contact. He starts
the conversation, or rather a menace with threatening questions. “Do
you know why you are here?” the man asked. There was no answer. With a
louder voice, he asks again, “Then, do you know how much money you owe
me?” Startled, the girl finally looks at him. The men in the room grin
at her.
Just like any other girls at her school, Tiffany is a typical
college
student who loves shopping. Attending an university in a wealthy
neighborhood, her rich friends have passed Tiffany a bad influence of
spending although her financial background cannot afford her to do so.
Her life used be a modest one before she entered college. Born in a
humble preacher's family, she could not enjoy a life of luxury. Her
family motto was thrift and diligence. Growing up under the motto,
Tiffany learned to be happy with whatever she earned through hard
work.
Graduating from high school, leaving her family, and entering
a new
school changed her perspective. All the girls around her carried
brand-
name bags such as Chanel or Louis Vuitton. They drove expensive cars
like Ferrari or Mercedes. Shopping and partying were their daily
routine. To make friends, Tiffany had to assimilate their ways of
life. That meant resemblance in appearance, and it required a good
source of finance.
The first solution was getting a job, not just any job but a
well-
paying one. After a month of job hunting, however, the only available
option she found for a mere college freshman was working as a waitress
at a restaurant. It had been almost three months since she moved to
this new environment, and she still had no decent friends. Being away
from family and old friends in a strange place, she felt more and more
lonely and desperate.
One day, a mail enclosing a tempting message came in. It
advertised
to be lending money easily. Although her ears perked up at the offer,
she could not abandon her belief. She just left the mail in her room
and soon forgot about it. As her first payday approached, her
excitement and expectation grew. When she finally opened up the
envelope, she was rather disappointed. All the hard work she had done
seemed worth more than what she was rewarded with. Realizing the
hardship in earning a good deal of money the right way, her belief in
diligence began to erode.
The first thing she turned at was credit cards. She could
easily have
a credit card issued. The moment the card was delivered, Tiffany
immediately headed to the mall. Since she did not have to worry about
paying back right away, Tiffany kept on swiping on credit. The limit
was soon approached. Having experienced the easiness of finding a
source of finance, there was no need to worry. She could issue more
cards without difficulty and hesitation. Every time she received new
cards, she recklessly swore to herself that she would not overuse
them.
After several months of abuse, the bills piled up and created
a mount
of debts. She did successfully made some friends on campus whom she
often hung out with. While she was enjoying the superficial
extravagance at, the credit card companies started sending her
warnings. When Tiffany ignored them, they cut her limits and
eventually suspended usage. At the end, all she was left with were
threats and statements from the credit companies along with the
shallow friendship.
Tiffany was facing two choices: to confess and ask her parents
for
help or to discover another way to resolve the problem. One day, as
she was cleaning her apartment, her eyes were broadened. She spotted
the long-forgotten mail publicizing private money-lending. The ad
said, “We can help you solve your financial problem with easy,
unlimited loan.” The words struck the naive college girl. Without any
second thought, she picked up the phone. Even until the last moment,
she did not comprehend exactly what kind of predicament she would be
forced into by signing the adequate-in-appearance, yet lacking-clarity
contract .
The importunate calls ceased, and luckily, one of Tiffany's
new rich
friends introduced Tiffany to a higher-paying job as a secretary at
her father's law firm. It was not absolutely perfect, but the new life
seemed plausible and satisfying. Tiffany could still shop at Gucci if
she balanced her income and spending and controlled credit card
usages. If she met another shortage, help was available always. She
was proud of herself for settling into the new environment
successfully. Credulous-natured Tiffany considered the changes to be
positive and suitable.
In the midst of all the events, a semester almost passed and
Christmas was coming. Planning to surprise her family back in
hometown, Tiffany went shopping Christmas presents. She returned with
hands full of bags. At the night of the exhausting day, she snugged
into a warm blanket to watch T.V. The news was on. It was reporting on
a notorious loan-shark group who disguised as a legal institution. The
reporter warned of more possibly existing usurers who present false
documents to deceive gullible people in desperate need of immediate
financial relief.
As if being snapped out of a hypnosis, Tiffany was now
disillusioned.
She was concerned about her resource. She tried to compare the
description provided by the news with the contract she had signed.
Things tallied accordingly. No matter how hard she tired to shake off
the doubt, the apprehension were to be reality. Biting her nails, an
old habit of her showing anxiety, she was carried into a deep sleep in
the blanket.
In the dream, she was placed in the loan-sharks' office
confronting
the boss. He demanded her money blown up to a doubled amount due to a
large interest. The man even intimidated her with scary threats such
as extracting her kidney and selling it in case she could not pay the
sum. With the men in the room grinning at her, the scene changed to
that of a familiarity. Tiffany was back in her room.
The dream was not just an ordinary effect of REM sleep. It was
a
sign, a warning demanding her repentance. Grasping the meaning of her
predicament, she began to self-reflect. The problem was huge, but she
had to find a way to end it after all. The answer was obvious. She had
to stop perpetuating lavishness and confess the problem to her
parents. The compensation was great with no doubt, but she finally
committed to take the price for what she had done.
On Christmas that year, Tiffany went to see her family as
planned. At
home, she spilled out her misbehavior and asked for forgiveness. For
the next several years, she studied hard to graduate from college.
When she did, Tiffany got a job which allowed her pay back the heavy
price of profligacy.
Link http://groups.google.com/group/english-101-summer-09/msg/8c8be4574fdebd8a?
Part 1
Filling the Gap
Gas Price Rocketing, Oil Crisis Comeback after 35 Years, Soaring Gas
Price Hitting New Records, the Second Great Depression, Panic of 2008,
the Crash of 2008, Black Week... In May 2008, oil market started
shaking, and then, the price soared up making new records everyday. In
the following fall, with several failures of large financial
institutions, came a new era of stock market crash. Despite the
deafening alarm, many Americans were still wandering in their long-
undisturbed dream while a few were wakened with the heavy blow. Andrew
Bacevich was among the early enlightened individuals. Through his
several books, the Limits of Power becoming the most remarkable,
Bacevich has endeavored to wake the asleep. He warns them of the
present national crises by leading the path to the root of the
predicament: profligacy. Singing lullabies of indulgence, some critics
or defenders of the ignorant stand against him. Although they
stubbornly deny the fact America is facing downhill, the cruel truth
cannot be missed when looked at a step behind. The striking exposure
did not arrive in a moment but over a long period of time. Opening
the first chapter of the Limits of Power, Bacevich says “The present-
day gap between requirements and the means available to satisfy those
requirements … defines the crisis of American profligacy” (Bacevich,
2009, p. 17). The build-up from profligacy to the current crises is
the fruit of the gap between what is ideal and what is real: The ideal
craves for more while the real holds a thin wallet. Instead of wishing
the dream of abundance will last forever, Americans must wake up and
confront the limits of American super power as the day of reckoning
approaches.
The Gap Creation
At the time of American Revolution, freedom meant self-governance. It
was to refuse monarchy and embrace independent government that
protected “inalienable rights” as stated in the Declaration of
Independence. The long history of profligacy embarked when the
misinterpretation of freedom first began. As economy grew well in
America, people started to accept freedom as economic prosperity. The
modest start of the new nation merged into a country of individualism,
selfishness, and even greed. Observing the market revolution era,
Alexis De Tocqueville once depicted the new stream of profligacy very
concisely in his book Democracy in America. He wrote, “In the United
States, a man builds a house in which to spend his old age, and sells
it before the roof is on; he plants a garden and [rents] it just as
the trees are coming into bearing; he brings field into tillage and
leaves other men to gather crops” (1863, p. 164). In Tocqueville's
eyes, the settlers quenched their desire of freedom in practicing self-
profiting. While many wealthy middle-class men appeared in the era,
some were tragically excluded. Those who were not so successful
seizing any economic opportunities became so-called wage workers
provided with unequal freedom. In a protest against their employers,
some young mill women charged their factory owners as “the oppressive
hand of avarice [that] would enslave us” (Foner, 2008, p. 346). From
that era on, the rich, in order to grasp their transformed definition
of freedom, exploited on others' freedom. The practice of greed
fostered profligacy perpetually.
The Gap Expansion
In 1803, President Jefferson made a historical real-estate bargain
through Louisiana Purchase. Regardless of his belief in small
government for maximum individual freedom, the financial prosperity
the territory would bring forth was tempting enough for Jefferson to
abandon his conviction. To Jefferson, achieving economic well-being,
thus needing more land seemed to coincide with the ideal Declaration
of Independence provided. Importantly, the even set an innovating
precedent in foreign policy: To satisfy the hungry American appetites,
the country had to expand outward regardless of any means. Many
crucial cases later on such as the Mexican War, World War II, Cold
War, and the most current Iraq War, bore seemingly successful fruits
based upon the Louisiana Purchase model. All these achievements
bestowed the United States with sole super power. Bacevich viewed the
newly defined characteristic of U.S. foreign policy as “pragmatism”
coupled with “opportunism” (Bacevich, 2008, p. 22). Whenever laid
certain sources of advantage, America responded immediately grasping
the opportunity in order to satisfy its massive desire for more. The
success in seizing the chances created bigger America, thus providing
more abundance.
The Gap Failure
Finally stepping on top in world pyramid after World War II, the U.S.
set its national security objective as triumph of freedom everywhere.
As time passed, the American presidents gained more power along with
growing national power. For they believed such was a suitable reward
to their good governance, the presidents started hand-picking some
elites in favor of their ideology to derive out advice and answers to
the national security goals. Bacevich called the elites the “Wise
Men” (p. 101) who took up seats in Washington without the publics'
will but the president himself. “The government of the people, by the
people, for the people” met a hindrance due to its commander of chief
overexerting his authority. This political problem gave birth to many
wars in American history. Among them, Iraq War and the War in Middle
East turned out to be the most disastrous which yielded a remarkable
revelation. Whereas Bush declared to bring freedom in Iraq, blindly
supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom on behalf of intensifying American
prerogative, many critiques claim the war had to do with the oil Iraq
possessed. A congressional resolution passed in 2008 solely advocates
the assertion. On July 31, Oil for Iraq Liberation Act of 2008 was
introduced in the House of Representatives demanding a prohibition on
certain activities regarding the petroleum resources in Iraq. In its
findings, the bill suggested many greedy activities done by American
oil companies and, strikingly, the government. According to one of the
findings, the Department of State Organized a team of U.S. advisers
who helped Iraqi Oil Ministry negotiated contracts for oil production.
It saw such oil-friendly policies as to grab “a chance to get a foot
in the door with regards to future Iraqi [oil] production” (Kucinich,
2008). Even if the war's prior goal was not the oil, the petroleum
resources became a major part of the war. It is clear that avarice for
securing more foreign oil pitched in the poorly excused war. However,
defining the purpose of the war is not the “remarkable revelation”
mentioned above. It is rather the result. Although a few oil companies
or politicians might be benefiting from Iraq War, the entire country
is facing a ruin. Current budget crises, economic catastrophe, and the
protracted, tiresome war tell the truth. Failure to recognize the
limited resource yet keep desiring brought forth the American
predicament.
“I knew that I had come face to face with someone whose mere
personality was so fascinating that, if I allowed it to do so, it
would absorb my whole nature, my whole soul, my very art
itself” (Wilde, 1985, p. 10). In the novel the Picture of Dorian Gray
by Oscar Wilde, a painter named Basil makes this statement describing
the impression upon meeting Dorian Gray, a pure, handsome boy. It is
an ironic and, at the same time, metaphoric speech because Dorian Gray
is the one who allows his desire to consume his beautiful soul. Dorian
Gray indulges in every kind of pleasure until he drops dead as an
ugly, foul, old man in the end. In one of the last few chapters, Lord
Henry, the cause of Dorian's depravity, asks Dorian Gray quoting a
street-preacher, “'what does it profit a man if he gain the whole
world and lose' … 'his own soul'?” (Wilde, 1985, p. 236). Americans
should be asked a similar question: What does it profit a nation if it
gains the whole super power but loses its inner health? People have to
take an opportunity to self-reflect and narrowing down the gap between
their endless wish-list and their actual affordability in the hope of
rescuing America from the swamp of consumerism and present crises.
References
Bacevich, Adrew. (2009). The limits of power: The end of American
exceptionalism. New York: Holt Paperback.
Foner, Eric. (2008). Give me liberty!: An American history. New York:
Norton.
Kucinich, Rep. D. 2008, July 31. To prohibit certain activities
relating to the petroleum resources of Iraq, and for other purposes.
US House of Representatives.
Wilde, Oscar. (1985). The picture of Dorian Gray. London: Penguin
Group.
Tocqueville, Alexis De. (1863). Democracy in America. Cambridge: Sever
and Francis.
Part 2
The Nightmare
Nervously biting her nails, Tiffany is sitting in an office filled
with sinister looking men. Abruptly, another man followed by more
intimidating figures comes into the room. The man sits down in an
armchair across Tiffany. Tiffany stops her motion and anxiously waits
for the guy to speak while trying her best to avoid eye contact. He
starts the conversation, or rather a menacing threat. “Do you know why
you are here?” the man asked. There was no answer. With a louder
voice, he asks again, “Then, do you know how much money you owe me?”
Startled, the girl finally looks at him. The men in the room grin at
the poor girl.
Just like any other girls at her school, Tiffany is a typical college
student who loves shopping. Attending an university in a wealthy
neighborhood, her rich friends have passed Tiffany a bad influence of
spending although her financial background cannot afford her to do so.
Her life used be a modest one before she entered college. Born in a
humble preacher's family, she could not enjoy a life of luxury. Her
family motto was thrift and diligence. Growing up under the motto,
Tiffany learned to be happy with whatever she earned through hard
work.
Graduating from high school, leaving her family, and entering a new
school changed her belief system. All the girls around her carried
brand-name bags such as Chanel or Louis Vuitton; They drove expensive
cars like Ferrari or Mercedes; Shopping and partying were their daily
routine. To make friends, Tiffany had to assimilate their ways of
life. That meant resemblance in appearance, and it required a good
source of finance.
The first solution was getting a job, not just any job but a well-
paying one. After a few weeks of job hunting, however, the only
available option she found for a mere college freshman was working as
a waitress at a restaurant. It had been almost two months since she
moved to this new environment, and she still had no decent friends.
Being away from family and old friends in a strange place, she felt
more and more lonely and desperate.
One day, a mail enclosing a tempting message came in. It advertised
to be lending money easily. Although her ears perked up at the offer,
she could not abandon her belief. She just left the mail in her room
and soon forgot about it. As her first payday approached, her
excitement and expectation grew. When she finally opened up the
envelope, she was rather disappointed. All the hard work she had done
seemed worth more than what she was rewarded with. Realizing the
hardship in earning a good deal of money the right way, her belief in
diligence began to erode.
The first thing she turned at was credit cards. She could easily have
a credit card issued. The moment the card was delivered, Tiffany
immediately headed to the mall. Since she did not have to worry about
paying back right away, Tiffany kept on swiping on credit. The limit
was soon reached. Having experienced the easiness of finding a
seemingly good financial back-up, there was no need to worry. She
could issue more cards without difficulty and hesitation. Every time
she received new cards, she recklessly swore to herself that she would
not overuse them.
After several months of abuse, the bills piled up and created a mount
of debts. She did successfully made some friends on campus whom she
often hung out with. While she was enjoying the superficial
extravagance at, the credit card companies started sending her
warnings. When Tiffany ignored them, they cut her limits and
eventually suspended usage. At the end, all she was left with were
threats and statements from the credit companies along with the
shallow friendship.
Tiffany was facing two choices: to confess and ask her parents for
help or to discover another way to resolve the problem. One day, as
she was cleaning her apartment, her eyes were broadened. She spotted
the long-forgotten mail publicizing private money-lending. The ad
said, “We can help you solve your financial problem with easy,
unlimited loan.” The words struck the naive college girl. Without any
second thought, she picked up the phone. Even until the last moment,
she did not comprehend exactly what kind of predicament she would be
forced into by signing the adequate-in-appearance, yet lacking-clarity
contract full of hidden facts.
The importunate calls ceased, and luckily, one of Tiffany's new rich
friends introduced Tiffany to a higher-paying job as a secretary at
her father's law firm. It was not absolutely perfect, but the new life
seemed plausible and satisfying. Tiffany could still shop at brand-
name stores if she balanced her income and spending and controlled
credit card usages. If she met another shortage, help was available
always. She was proud of herself for settling into the new environment
successfully. Credulous-natured Tiffany considered the changes to be
positive and suitable.
In the midst of all the events, a semester almost passed and
Christmas was coming. Planning to surprise her family back in
hometown, Tiffany went shopping for Christmas presents. She returned
with hands-full of bags. At the night of the exhausting day, she
snugged into a warm blanket to watch T.V. The news was on. It was
reporting on a notorious loan-shark group who disguised as a legal
institution to make large amount of illegal profit. The reporter
warned of more possibly existing usurers who present false documents
to deceive gullible people in desperate need of immediate financial
relief.
As if being snapped out of a hypnosis, Tiffany was now disillusioned.
She was concerned about her source. She tried to compare the
description provided by the news with the contract she had signed.
Things tallied accordingly. No matter how hard she tired to shake off
the doubt, the apprehension became to look as reality. Biting her
nails, an old habit of her showing anxiety, she was carried into a
deep sleep in the blanket.
In the dream, she was placed in the loan-sharks' office confronting
the boss. He demanded her money which had been blown up to a doubled
amount due to a large interest. The man even intimidated her with
scary threats such as saying that they would extract her kidney and
sell it in case she could not pay the sum. With the men in the room
grinning at her, the scene changed to a familiar sight. Tiffany was
back in her room.
The dream was not just an ordinary effect of REM sleep. It was a
sign, a warning demanding of her repentance. Grasping the meaning of
her predicament, she began to self-reflect. The problem was huge, but
she had to find a way to end it after all. The answer was obvious. She
had to stop perpetuating lavishness and confess the problem to her
parents. The compensation was great with no doubt, but she finally
committed to take the price for what she had done.
On Christmas that year, Tiffany went to see her family as planned. At
home, she spilled out her wrongdoings and asked for forgiveness. For
the next several years, she studied hard to graduate from college.
When she did, Tiffany got a job which allowed her pay back the heavy
price of profligacy over many more years.
The original
Date: Jul 19, 12:00 am
Subject: notes-on-e2-half-done-drafts-plus-one-day-extension-on-final-
e2-final-draft-post-here-by-saturday-july-18의 토론
To: English 101 summer 09
Part 1
True Meaning of Freedom
Gas Price Rocketing Up, Oil Crisis Coming Back after 35 Years,
Soaring Gas Price Hitting New Record, Coming of the Second Great
Depression, Panic of 2008, the Crash of 2008, Black Week... In May of
2008, oil market started shaking and then soaring up like a rocket. In
the following fall, with several failures of large financial
institutions, came a new era of stock market crash. Despite the
deafening alarm, many Americans were still wandering in their long-
undisturbed dream while a few were wakened with the heavy blow. Andrew
Bacevich was among those enlightened individuals. Through his several
books, the Limits of Power becoming the most remarkable, Bacevich has
endeavored to wake the asleep. He warns them of the present national
crises and presents the path leading to the root of the predicament;
profligacy. Some critics or defenders of the ignorant stand against
him singing lullabies of indulgence. Although they stubbornly deny the
fact America is facing downhill, if the case is looked at a step
behind, it reveals a cruel truth. That striking exposure did not
arrive in a moment but over a long period of time. The build-up from
profligacy to the current crises is the fruit of distorted meaning of
freedom which resides deep down the history of this nation. As “the
day of reckoning” approaches, Americans need to take an opportunity to
self-reflect and redefine the true meaning of freedom in the hope of
rescuing America from a swamp of consumerism and present difficulties.
At the time of American Revolution, freedom meant self-
governance. It
was to refuse monarchy and embrace independent government that
protects “inalienable rights” as stated in the Declaration of
Independence. The long history of profligacy embarked when the
misinterpretation of freedom first began. As economy grew well in
America, people started to accept freedom as economic prosperity. The
modest start of the new nation merged into a country of individualism,
selfishness, and even greed. Observing the market revolution era,
Alexis De Tocqueville once depicted the new stream of profligacy very
concisely in his book Democracy in America. He wrote, “In the United
States, a man builds a house in which to spend his old age, and sells
it before the roof is on; he plants a garden and [rents] it just as
the trees are coming into bearing; he brings field into tillage and
leaves other men to gather crops” (Tocqueville). While many wealthy
middle-class men appeared in the era, some were tragically excluded.
Those who were not so successful seizing any economic opportunities
became so-called “wage workers.” Because no protective laws for
workers properly existed at that time, the wage labor was no different
than slavery. The rich, in order to grasp the transformed definition
of freedom, exploited on others' freedom. The practice of greed
fostered profligacy perpetually. In a protest against their employers,
some young mill women charged their factory owners as “the oppressive
hand of avarice [that] would enslave us” (Foner).
Another change in freedom's purport came when America was
introduced
with what is now its core political ideology: “manifest destiny.” This
time, the infection laid a new path of political policy. The phrase
conveyed that the United Stated had a divinely assigned mission to
expand the territory to overspread democracy, “the development of the
great experiment in liberty.” Another profligacy paradox was to come.
In 1803, President Jefferson made a historical real-estate bargain
through Louisiana Purchase. Regardless of his belief in midget
government for maximum individual freedom, the financial prosperity
the territory would bring forth was tempting enough for Jefferson to
abandon his conviction. To Jefferson, achieving economic well-being,
thus needing more land seemed to coincide with the ideal meaning of
freedom, the right to pursue happiness. However, in the name of
deteriorated freedom, many Indians and blacks in Louisiana territory
now had to suffer their own loss of freedom. The event also set an
innovating precedent in foreign policy: To satisfy the hungry American
appetites, any means were available even if they intruded other
individuals' freedom. Bacevich viewed the newly defined characteristic
of U.S. foreign policy as “pragmatism” coupled with “opportunism,”
financial benefits in the case of Louisiana Purchase, rather than
“idealism,” the true sense of freedom (Bacevich). As another bitter
result, the incident made a precedent in giving the president more
authority than what was mentioned in Constitution.
Throughout the second chapter of The limits of power, Bacevich
bases
on the latter leading instance for the argumentation in political
crisis especially the national security catastrophe. After World War
II, national security objectives sided with triumph of freedom
everywhere. Because of earning more power to govern the nation, the
presidents started hand-picking some elites in favor of his ideology
to derive out advice and answers to the national security goals.
Bacevich called them the “Wise Men,” who took up seats in Washington
without the publics' will but the president himself. “The government
of the people, by the people, for the people” met a hindrance due to
its commander of chief overexerting his freedom. This problem gave
birth to many wars in the past. Among them, Iraq War and the War in
Middle East turned out to be the most disastrous which yet dispensed
another paradox. A resolution which passed immediately on the day of
its submission by the House of Representatives and the Senate without
any amendment and with a huge majority's agreement brought up an issue
of “expressing support for all Iranian citizens who embrace the values
of freedom, human rights, civil liberties, and rule of law, and for
other purposes.” Along with its limited support for Iranians who
seemed favorable to this country, the bill condemned those who
demonstrated against the U.S. policy and Iranian government's
suppression of free communication. American government is already
notorious for its wire-tapping and interfering communication through
the Internet or cellphones. How can a man ask another to take the
speck out of the eye when he himself has a plank in his own eye?
The expanded, degraded meaning of freedom gave birth to
profligacy
and many other paradox which resulted in the present-day affliction
ranging all the way from economy to politics. A country established on
a meek, genuine goal of achieving freedom became a monstrous “super
power” by overlooking its corruption. As depicted in a novel The
picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, Dorian Gray sets off the story
as a pure, handsome boy. Later on, he gets influenced by Lord Henry
who teaches him a new hedonism. Dorian Gray indulges in every kind of
pleasure until he finally drops dead as an ugly old man. Americans
need to learn a lesson from the story. It is not too late to turn
back. The day of reckoning is here now. It is time for us, the
American citizens to take a look back our country, not any other
foreign nations, to find the answer to overcoming the predicament.
Part 2
Nervously biting her nails, Tiffany is sitting in an office
filled
with sinister looking men. Abruptly, another man followed by more
intimidating figures comes into the room. The man sits down in an
armchair across Tiffany. Tiffany stops her motion and anxiously waits
for the guy to speak trying her best to avoid eye contact. He starts
the conversation, or rather a menace with threatening questions. “Do
you know why you are here?” the man asked. There was no answer. With a
louder voice, he asks again, “Then, do you know how much money you owe
me?” Startled, the girl finally looks at him. The men in the room grin
at her.
Just like any other girls at her school, Tiffany is a typical
college
student who loves shopping. Attending an university in a wealthy
neighborhood, her rich friends have passed Tiffany a bad influence of
spending although her financial background cannot afford her to do so.
Her life used be a modest one before she entered college. Born in a
humble preacher's family, she could not enjoy a life of luxury. Her
family motto was thrift and diligence. Growing up under the motto,
Tiffany learned to be happy with whatever she earned through hard
work.
Graduating from high school, leaving her family, and entering
a new
school changed her perspective. All the girls around her carried
brand-
name bags such as Chanel or Louis Vuitton. They drove expensive cars
like Ferrari or Mercedes. Shopping and partying were their daily
routine. To make friends, Tiffany had to assimilate their ways of
life. That meant resemblance in appearance, and it required a good
source of finance.
The first solution was getting a job, not just any job but a
well-
paying one. After a month of job hunting, however, the only available
option she found for a mere college freshman was working as a waitress
at a restaurant. It had been almost three months since she moved to
this new environment, and she still had no decent friends. Being away
from family and old friends in a strange place, she felt more and more
lonely and desperate.
One day, a mail enclosing a tempting message came in. It
advertised
to be lending money easily. Although her ears perked up at the offer,
she could not abandon her belief. She just left the mail in her room
and soon forgot about it. As her first payday approached, her
excitement and expectation grew. When she finally opened up the
envelope, she was rather disappointed. All the hard work she had done
seemed worth more than what she was rewarded with. Realizing the
hardship in earning a good deal of money the right way, her belief in
diligence began to erode.
The first thing she turned at was credit cards. She could
easily have
a credit card issued. The moment the card was delivered, Tiffany
immediately headed to the mall. Since she did not have to worry about
paying back right away, Tiffany kept on swiping on credit. The limit
was soon approached. Having experienced the easiness of finding a
source of finance, there was no need to worry. She could issue more
cards without difficulty and hesitation. Every time she received new
cards, she recklessly swore to herself that she would not overuse
them.
After several months of abuse, the bills piled up and created
a mount
of debts. She did successfully made some friends on campus whom she
often hung out with. While she was enjoying the superficial
extravagance at, the credit card companies started sending her
warnings. When Tiffany ignored them, they cut her limits and
eventually suspended usage. At the end, all she was left with were
threats and statements from the credit companies along with the
shallow friendship.
Tiffany was facing two choices: to confess and ask her parents
for
help or to discover another way to resolve the problem. One day, as
she was cleaning her apartment, her eyes were broadened. She spotted
the long-forgotten mail publicizing private money-lending. The ad
said, “We can help you solve your financial problem with easy,
unlimited loan.” The words struck the naive college girl. Without any
second thought, she picked up the phone. Even until the last moment,
she did not comprehend exactly what kind of predicament she would be
forced into by signing the adequate-in-appearance, yet lacking-clarity
contract .
The importunate calls ceased, and luckily, one of Tiffany's
new rich
friends introduced Tiffany to a higher-paying job as a secretary at
her father's law firm. It was not absolutely perfect, but the new life
seemed plausible and satisfying. Tiffany could still shop at Gucci if
she balanced her income and spending and controlled credit card
usages. If she met another shortage, help was available always. She
was proud of herself for settling into the new environment
successfully. Credulous-natured Tiffany considered the changes to be
positive and suitable.
In the midst of all the events, a semester almost passed and
Christmas was coming. Planning to surprise her family back in
hometown, Tiffany went shopping Christmas presents. She returned with
hands full of bags. At the night of the exhausting day, she snugged
into a warm blanket to watch T.V. The news was on. It was reporting on
a notorious loan-shark group who disguised as a legal institution. The
reporter warned of more possibly existing usurers who present false
documents to deceive gullible people in desperate need of immediate
financial relief.
As if being snapped out of a hypnosis, Tiffany was now
disillusioned.
She was concerned about her resource. She tried to compare the
description provided by the news with the contract she had signed.
Things tallied accordingly. No matter how hard she tired to shake off
the doubt, the apprehension were to be reality. Biting her nails, an
old habit of her showing anxiety, she was carried into a deep sleep in
the blanket.
In the dream, she was placed in the loan-sharks' office
confronting
the boss. He demanded her money blown up to a doubled amount due to a
large interest. The man even intimidated her with scary threats such
as extracting her kidney and selling it in case she could not pay the
sum. With the men in the room grinning at her, the scene changed to
that of a familiarity. Tiffany was back in her room.
The dream was not just an ordinary effect of REM sleep. It was
a
sign, a warning demanding her repentance. Grasping the meaning of her
predicament, she began to self-reflect. The problem was huge, but she
had to find a way to end it after all. The answer was obvious. She had
to stop perpetuating lavishness and confess the problem to her
parents. The compensation was great with no doubt, but she finally
committed to take the price for what she had done.
On Christmas that year, Tiffany went to see her family as
planned. At
home, she spilled out her misbehavior and asked for forgiveness. For
the next several years, she studied hard to graduate from college.
When she did, Tiffany got a job which allowed her pay back the heavy
price of profligacy.
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