3rd of May, 1808

Francisco Goya was the leading artist of the late 18th century movement, Spanish Romanticism. He painted many great works that portray Spanish history and the world as he saw it. In his famous painting, Third of May, 1808, Goya portrays a group of Spanish people in front of a French firing squad, awaiting execution. In the time leading up to this event, France had declared Spain as its own domain and took over the throne. Many Spanish citizens known as Francophiles welcomed the French because they believed that it would bring about progressive thinking and Enlightenment philosophies to the then closed-minded catholic-spanish country. Unfortunately, shortly after taking control of Spain, the French began to threaten the heart of Spain and the royal family. The Spanish people revolted and the French did not take lightly to this. They imprisoned and killed Spanish citizens, as depicted in the Third of May, 1808.

Today in America, we consider ourselves and much of the rest of the world to be progressive thinkers, environmentalists and humanitarians. The United States of America has long been a global leader and has thus taken on the role of "helping" other nations in all areas of life. I agree that many organizations enter third world countries and bring much needed education and health care to those societies. I also agree that America and its military enter foreign countries with the intent to bring peace and order. Unfortunately, no matter how positive the intentions are, America's government has missed the mark where it comes to bringing peace to Iraq. Our army has occupied this nation for many years, which has cost many lives to both Iraq and America. 

I don't believe that what is appropriate for America is appropriate for Iraq, Pakistan, Iran, etc. While our presence was originally supported and [somewhat] welcomed, our stay there has been over-extended. Much like the French occupation in Spain in the early 1800's, the result has been the lost lives of innocent people. If Francisco Goya was with us today, perhaps he would consider America's presence in Iraq as the sleep of reason. On the other hand, perhaps he would consider terrorism as the sleep of reason. Either way, today's world is definitely full of monsters.