Over the past month or so, the war on Iraq has been the hot topic to write about. As I talk to more and more people and hear what they have to say about the issue, it seems to me that the majority of people I talk to have anti-war feelings.
Numerous demonstrations have been staged to protest the war and promote peace. I have no problem with demonstrations because everyone is entitled to their own opinion. The problem I run into is people lashing out against our government and President Bush. Dixie Chicks front woman Natalie Maines is probably the best example of what I am talking about. Maines told a British audience, “Just so you know, we’re ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas.” She later apologized for the comments she made, but bashing the president and anyone who supports the war seems to be a growing trend. This past Saturday, anti-war activists said they would stage a “die-in” and mock funeral procession at one of U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld’s six homes.
How would these extreme anti-war activists like it if government officials, or anyone for that matter, came to them and staged absurd acts to protest what they believed in? I don’t think they would like it. Some may argue that they have freedom of speech and they will exercise it, but they should realize that they have freedom of speech because they live in the United States. See how much freedom of speech will get you in Iraq.
The anti-war feelings are widespread throughout the world as well. Violence broke out in Madrid when a demonstration of about 100,000 people turned violent. It would be hard for me to compare this to the Vietnam War protests because I was not around for those, but I certainly hope it does not get to that point. I’m sure that everyone has heard the stories of soldiers getting spit on in airports and being called “baby killers” upon returning from Vietnam.
What really alarms me is that a large number of our people are against the war for different reasons. Of course everyone wants “peace and harmony,” but does anyone really know why we are at war? Some say that is because of oil. People hear this and jump right on it without really taking a good look at what is going on. With all of the money that we are spending on this war, does Iraq really have enough oil to compensate for American soldiers being lost and the possible $200 billion expense for the war? When the war is done and settled, there will be an enormous hassle over Iraq’s oil fields. Besides, why go through the trouble of having Saddam disarm his weapons if it is “all about the oil.”
When I sit back and think about it myself, I do not like the whole idea of war, but I understand why we are in Iraq.
David Miller is a junior communication major.