What does this quote mean ?

Question

"Every president of the last half century has gone out of his way to say he wanted peace and wanted to avoid war. Even while ordering military action."

Its from the movie we're watching in US history :D

Answer 1

Its kind of a loaded question in that it reads (to me at least) that your movie or teacher believes there is something dishonest at play.

It could be read that every president says one thing about war even though they may or may not plan the opposite.

- In the last 60 years, the population of the U.S. has not desired war because of how exhausting and horrific WWII was for the entire country.

- Ironically, sometimes such as with the Gulf War and random bomings in the 1990s... the majority of the world relies on us to use military action to keep a rogue nation in check. So while its not desired, sometimes a presidents' hands are tied... Remember, military action isnt necessarily War.

Answer 2

All it means is that presidents will say they dont want war but they will order war.