Editorial Intern Application

Dear Mr Robinson,

I am writing to apply to be your editorial intern. Attached is my cover letter, resume, essay on how the military industrial complex has affected my life, and a recent recommendation. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

[FINALLY SOMEONE SENT IN A ESSAY]

The direct effect of the military-industrial complex on my life has been relatively minimal compared to those less fortunate than me. I wasn't just lucky enough to be born into relative affluence, but was raised by parents with the good grace to steer me clear of a life in uniform. I thus avoided both the poverty draft and self-subjugation, despite briefly flirting with the idea of joining the air force as a 13 year old. Perhaps this fleeting desire was a nod to my grandfather who co-piloted a B-24 in the Second World War, or perhaps I naively believed that the NATO bombing campaign at the time alleviated the suffering of Albanian Kosovars.

Either way, I thankfully avoided the whole mess, and grew to detest it as I entered adolescence. Reading All Quiet on the Western Front and learning about Vietnam in Middle School dampened any misguided youthful enthusiasm I had about war, (unless absolutely necessary). I still remember coming to the realization that wars are a started by the rich and fought by the poor when writing a brief essay about the song “Draft Morning” by The Byrds in 7^th grade. By the time the 2000 Presidential election campaign, I didn't understand much about politics, but I knew for sure that the difference between Bush and Gore was less money for education, and more for the war machine. I grew to despise nationalistic conservatives.

And then the planes hit.

Thankfully, I had read 1984 not long before 9/11 so the Global War on Terror did not come as a massive surprise. It was started, after all, by the same party that brought America crack. But still, I fumed at insufficient explanations for the Iraq war, Afghanistan, 9/11, and the concept of a War on Terror.

Of course the “War on Terror” cannot be won. Surely the neocons realize that, but does the thought of unending war even perturb them? Naturally it doesn't. These are men who adore the likes of Nietschze and Ayn Rand, and see themselves a caste above the rest. But where is public's righteous indignation? How is it our supposed democratic system allows for Republicans and Democrats alike to get away with sending our sons and daughters to kill be killed in ill-fated attempts to change societies at gun point? Jobs? Don't they realize we live in a society of abundance and can develop peaceful technology that gainfully employs all the same? Why have we been propping a failing capitalist system with violence?

A desire to steer public discourse towards these sort of issues made me want to become a journalist after graduating university, despite having little formal experience at the time. I want to stoke flames that many journalists won't in an effort to persuade people to ask more questions of their leaders. Therefore in hindsight, the military industrial complex has significantly affected my life significantly after all. Hopefully, I can return the favor.