After weeks of paging through The New York Times, and countless hours watching Paula Zahn on CNN, I have come to a conclusion regarding the pending war situation. I don’t know jack.
I thought President George W. Bush’s State of the Union Address would shed some light on the chaotic jumble of facts being hurled through our media.
To my surprise, it didn’t.
Thanks anyway, Mr. President.
The truth is, students do not have enough information.
So how are we supposed to be a template of our country’s future when we can’t understand the jargon of its leaders?
In regard to the State of the Union Address, Bush simply didn’t say enough, leaving many confused.
Putting party politics aside, we are indifferent about a war with Iraq because we simply don’t know enough.
As a nation founded on the principle of democracy, it is vital that our president has the support of the people.
However, we can not support this very “possible” war if we do not understand the reasoning behind it. Even the United Nations doesn’t seem to get it.
The international community is also divided, and conflicting actions are sure to result in estranged relations.
Steven Weisman of The New York Times said in a recent article, “France and Germany went public with their bluntly worded refusal to support quick action to find Iraq in breach of the United Nations resolution.”
If Bush can’t gain the support of two key allies, how can he gain support from American citizens, let alone students like us?
On Jan. 27, Secretary of State Colin L. Powell told The New York Times that, “[Saddam Hussein] repeatedly violated the trust of the United Nations, his people and his neighbors.”
Bush has also lost the trust of his people.
He and his weapons-of-mass-destruction search crew have shown no tangible evidence that Iraq has bombs, or plans to use bombs on us.
There is always speculation, but planning an all-out, pre-emptive war based on speculation is a shot in the dark.
Bush stated that this war might be occurring without American, European and world support.
If we go to war as circumstances stand, Bush might win, and as a nation we might prevail.
But our egos as members of a democracy will be seriously bruised.
As philosopher John Milton said, “You can make a heaven of hell or a hell of heaven.”
As it stands, the world is neither heaven nor hell, but it has the potential to be both.
The decision to go to war remains on the shoulders of our president.
But while Bush bears the weight of the world, we bear the weight of his decisions.
I just want to know where he is leading us – to heaven or hell.
Nicole D’Andrea can be reached at temple_news@hotmail.com.
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