Spring Break
Campus divided over Iraq policy
J. Spike Rogan
Issue date: 5/1/06 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
The recent three-year anniversary of the war in Iraq has turned into an unpopular point in George W. Bush's tenure as president. Bush finds himself at an all time low in polls and the war in Iraq is a key factor.
At NCC's Main campus, the feelings are mixed about the war. Harold Weiss, associate professor of Philosophy, was not a supporter of the invasion in March 2003. Three years later he believes the war has not helped the war on terror. "I think the war has increased recruitment of terrorist and opposition to the
United States," he said.
Rebecca Dean, associate professor of Communication and Theatre, agrees with Weiss. "It actually was a gift to many terrorist groups," Dean said. "Bush's rhetoric, such as the use of the word 'crusade,' worked against our soldiers by motivating centuries old antagonisms between the West and Middle East," she said.
Christian Johnson, a freshman journalism major, does not see the war as a success, citing the civil unrest among Iraqis. "I wouldn't consider the outbreak of a sectarian civil war a success," he said. "Strategically, the military has had trouble getting the country settled and forming a new government that's productive and stable."
Sophomore Pete Febbraro is not as fast to say the war is not a success, saying that "we can't tell yet. Saddam is not in power now. History will have to judge the rest," Febbraro said, sitting in the Commuter office.
Febbraro, a Journalism major, said that the United States was right to invade
Iraq, but it should also be in places like Dafur in Sudan. "I don't think were doing enough around the world," Febbraro said.
Febbraro believes the war will cause America to elect a Democrat as president in 2008, and the United States will not be in Iraq.
That works for Weiss who thinks American troops should leave Iraq "immediately" to be home defending the citizens.
Dean said that we are stuck in Iraq. "As Colin Powell said, 'You break it, you bought it.' Well, we broke Iraq and now it's going to bleed us dry and we're already more in debt now than ever in our history - and Congress just extended Bush's credit card!"
As for the war's effect here in the valley all agree that it has caused a great divide among residents. "Your either for or against it," Febbraro said.
Johnson agreed saying, "the obvious social divide on the subject causes American citizens and politicians to forget other important issues such as education, health care, and homeland security."
If America remains in Iraq another three years, Weiss and Dean see a problem with a all volunteer military. "If we're still there, we'll have to have a draft - Vietnam all over again - students will want to avoid it," said Dean.
"Bush just said he has no plans to withdraw troops in the next three years," Weiss said, asking, "will a draft become necessary?"
Asked how history will them remember George W. Bush, Weiss said "incompetent, extremist, warmonger.
Dean too also said Bush will be remembered as a "warmonger".
At NCC's Main campus, the feelings are mixed about the war. Harold Weiss, associate professor of Philosophy, was not a supporter of the invasion in March 2003. Three years later he believes the war has not helped the war on terror. "I think the war has increased recruitment of terrorist and opposition to the
United States," he said.
Rebecca Dean, associate professor of Communication and Theatre, agrees with Weiss. "It actually was a gift to many terrorist groups," Dean said. "Bush's rhetoric, such as the use of the word 'crusade,' worked against our soldiers by motivating centuries old antagonisms between the West and Middle East," she said.
Christian Johnson, a freshman journalism major, does not see the war as a success, citing the civil unrest among Iraqis. "I wouldn't consider the outbreak of a sectarian civil war a success," he said. "Strategically, the military has had trouble getting the country settled and forming a new government that's productive and stable."
Sophomore Pete Febbraro is not as fast to say the war is not a success, saying that "we can't tell yet. Saddam is not in power now. History will have to judge the rest," Febbraro said, sitting in the Commuter office.
Febbraro, a Journalism major, said that the United States was right to invade
Iraq, but it should also be in places like Dafur in Sudan. "I don't think were doing enough around the world," Febbraro said.
Febbraro believes the war will cause America to elect a Democrat as president in 2008, and the United States will not be in Iraq.
That works for Weiss who thinks American troops should leave Iraq "immediately" to be home defending the citizens.
Dean said that we are stuck in Iraq. "As Colin Powell said, 'You break it, you bought it.' Well, we broke Iraq and now it's going to bleed us dry and we're already more in debt now than ever in our history - and Congress just extended Bush's credit card!"
As for the war's effect here in the valley all agree that it has caused a great divide among residents. "Your either for or against it," Febbraro said.
Johnson agreed saying, "the obvious social divide on the subject causes American citizens and politicians to forget other important issues such as education, health care, and homeland security."
If America remains in Iraq another three years, Weiss and Dean see a problem with a all volunteer military. "If we're still there, we'll have to have a draft - Vietnam all over again - students will want to avoid it," said Dean.
"Bush just said he has no plans to withdraw troops in the next three years," Weiss said, asking, "will a draft become necessary?"
Asked how history will them remember George W. Bush, Weiss said "incompetent, extremist, warmonger.
Dean too also said Bush will be remembered as a "warmonger".