Demonstrations in Washington Show Mounting Opposition to Iraq War

When the international organization Act Now to Stop War and End Racism (A.N.S.W.E.R.) called for large-scale demonstrations opposing a possible war with Iraq to be held on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, citizens from across the United States and the world answered. Almost a million people participated in such protests: 3,000 in Tokyo, 15,000 in Toronto, 20,000 in Vancouver, 25,000 in Montreal, 20,000 in Portland, Oregon, an estimated 200,000 in San Francisco, and between three and five hundred thousand in Washington D.C, the largest and highest-profile of the January 18th events. In a wonderful display of democracy in action, the Washington D.C. rally and march protesting President Bush's war brought together a large number of people from all walks of life. People came from all over the nation to demonstrate. Regardless of the actual number of people gathered in front of the capitol building on such a frigid Washington day, the large crowd was able to peacefully tell the world that the mass sla

Based on opinion polls alone, it is difficult to grasp exactly how the American public feels about the "imminent" war against the already weakened Iraqi society, government, and military. While most of the public clearly wants to allow the inspections team to do its job, many people have not ruled out the possibility of war. However, no opinion poll can adequately express the forcefulness and passion of the opinion of the general public. [Full Article]

The Case Against War in Iraq

The rational person must argue over moral principles and historical fact, because the irrational person is duped by blatant propaganda. This observation seems to be true in almost any argument concerning important political issues in the United States. It is no different when discussing the upcoming war on Iraq.

There is a clear moral principle, which any rational person should believe in. It is that killing is wrong no matter what the reason. This is true when one looks at attacks on any country. While the attack on Pearl Harbor was an attack on a U.S. colony, it still killed thousands of U.S. soldiers. Thousands of people were mercilessly murdered on September 11th. Both are completely inexcusable crimes. Anyone who tries to convince another that those attacks were justified for any reason, whether seeming legitimate or not, would evoke feelings of offense and outrage from any clear-headed American.

It should be clear that when one justifies killing people based on any reason given, the argument is unjustified. However, among mainstream thought and opinion, this obvious truth is thrown out the window when related to aggression and war. [Full Article]

Dick Cheney and Halliburton: Trading with the "Axis of Evil"

I became frightened the other day when I found out that the end of the world may be near. Like any patriotic American, I read what the media tells me and don't question it too often.

According to the "liberal media", we have a new Hitler to worry about, and his name is Saddam Hussein. The media and Washington tell us that Saddam Hussein is the largest threat the West, no, the world, has faced since the Nazi "axis of evil." I was appalled to learn in the last six months (I don't believe in learning any facts until the president or media tell me I need to know of course) that Saddam Hussein was actually a ruthless dictator who will stop at nothing to dominate the world and destroy the U.S. But as someone who actually think,s on occasion. I pondered for a second, if Saddam Hussein is really such a threat, why are we just hearing about him now after over twenty years of despotism, especially at the exact same time as national elections?

After spending only a few minutes looking for answers (it's not hard to educate oneself, contrary to what our "leaders" would have us think), I found out part of the reason why we may not have heard out about his viciousness until recently. Apparently Saddam was a friend and strategic ally of the U.S. for years (yes even when he was gassing those Kurds Washington just found out were oppressed), until he stepped on the wrong toes and defied orders from Washington by invading Kuwait. [Full Article]

Dr. Jamal Nassar: Reflections on Iraq

Dr. Nassar is the Department Chair at Illinois State University of the Department of Politics and Government. He is the author of numerous books relating to U.S. foreign policy. He lectures on the nature of U.S. foreign policy, specifically in relation to U.S. involvement in Middle-Eastern politics.

1) Anthony DiMaggio- What do you think are the Bush Administration's main reasons for wanting war with Iraq? Does it have anything to do with oil?

Jamal Nassar- Of course it has to do with control over oil resources, but it is also a lot more than that. The first Bush Administration declared a new world order more than a decade ago. Now the second Bush Administration, with much of the same people, is trying to implement it. It is an order based on Empire. The American Empire plans to dominate the resources and trade on a global scale. Once Iraq becomes a U.S.-dominated area, Iran will be fully surrounded with U.S. military bases on all fronts. That is when we will begin to hear about Iran's support of terrorism and plans to develop nuclear weapons. The stage will then be set for a war on Iran. The war on Iraq does also work to divert attention away from the failure to arrest Bin Laden and his elk. [Full Article]

A Warning to Humanity

Ten years ago the World Scientists' Warning to Humanity was released. This document, signed by nearly 2000 prominent scientists from many nations, including over 100 Nobel laureates, stated that fundamental changes are urgently needed to prevent the unraveling of the life support system of this planet. Unfortunately, few have acted on this warning. Nine years ago a catastrophic flood affected the upper Mississippi River watershed, including Illinois. The flood forced many to pay attention to what happens when humans profoundly alter the natural water cycle. Unfortunately, the lessons of that flood have washed away from people's memories. Eight years ago the Illinois Critical Trends Assessment Project (known as CTAP), involving scientists from all of the state's agencies, released their assessment of the health of the Illinois environment. Of their three general conclusions, one stood out starkly: "The condition of natural ecosystems in Illinois is rapidly declining". Yet little has been done at the proper s

If I could make only one policy recommendation, it would be to evaluate economic development decisions under the following principle: sustainable economic and human health depend ultimately on ecosystem health. Despite abundant scientific evidence to support this principle, we construct our economic systems as if the laws of nature do not matter. "I fought the river" was a common bumper sticker after the Mississippi flood, and to me it signified our stubbornness in accepting the idea that we must act within the constraints of nature. Many of our policies continue to conflict with ecological reality, and they are doomed to ultimate failure, with serious economic and human health impacts. [Full Article]

What Can I Do? How to get Involved in the Anti-War Movement Locally

As the United States moves headlong towards a "showdown" with Iraq, those who disagree with such military action are no doubt left wondering what they can do to stand in the way of the war machine. While at times it may seem that little can curb the Bush Administration's appetite for war, there is much that can be done.

In Bloomington-Normal, three active organizations opposed to military action against Iraq exist. The first, Bloomington-Normal Citizens for Peace and Justice, is a group comprised of area residents, many of whom are veterans of previous anti-war movements. Formed after September 11, the group has staged demonstrations in downtown Bloomington and delivered petitions to Representative Tim Johnson's office. The Bloomington-Normal Citizens for Peace and Justice meet the first Sunday of each month, 4pm at the Unitarian Church in Bloomington. Check www.pabn.org for more details.

Illinois Wesleyan has a highly active group, POWI-People Opposed to War with Iraq. This group, formed last fall, has held numerous demonstrations at Illinois Wesleyan as well as organized a caravan to the Martin Luther King Jr. Day demonstrations in Washington D.C. POWI held a State of the Union Party on January 28. POWI will meet Thursday, January 30, 9pm, at the Underground on the campus of IWU. [Full Article]