You know that face people make when they realize something? That "lightbulb" expression? Well have you ever seen it happen to about 40 people at once?
My American Government teacher was talking to us about Iraq and he did something great. He asked us, "No matter what your opinion of the war is, who can tell me how we win in Iraq? What is the criteria? What constitutes a victory?"
There was that usual awkward silence for what seemed like years, and no one said a word. Everyone was staring at him like they were waiting for the answer and when he realized this he said, "I don't know I'm asking you guys."
He was having fun with this because he knew we had no idea.
So then he said okay how about a different question, "No matter what your opinion of the war, who can tell me why we are in Iraq?"
And it was quiet for a LONG time and a guy hesitantly put up his hand and said, "Aren't we fighting terrorism?"
The teacher said, "Well terrorism is everywhere so why are we in Iraq?"
Then a girl raised her hand and said, "Weren't we looking for weapons of mass destruction?"
The teacher said, "But we didn't find any so why are we in Iraq?"
Another guy raised his hand and asked, "Isn't it because of 9/11?"
The teacher said, "But Iraq didn't attack us so why are we there?"
And then it was dead silent and everyone had that "lightbulb" expression on their face like they just realized something. They just realized that the war was sold to them. It was such a bitter-sweet feeling.