A war looms, everpresent, over our country.
Our children’s children undoubtedly will be affected by its outcome.
On the eve of such an eventful occasion, whatever position you or I take, should not be taken lightly.
There have been a few anti-war protests on campus lately.
To me, these are a wonderful testament to the fervor of individuals toward their beliefs.
These individuals who have shown themselves at these events and written anti-war papers and columns in this paper should be applauded for use of their freedom of speech.
Now, it is my turn to do the same.
I do not agree with the anti-war protests that take place on this campus. I do not agree with the anti-war movement.
I believe that our national security is being threatened.
The rooting out of threats for us will apparently begin with Iraq.
The Bush administration has done diplomatically everything that they can to avoid this conflict, still Hussein has refused to hold up his end of the early ’90s agreement to disarm.
We shouldn’t be scared into war, but face the facts and remove any threats.
The people of Iraq are under an oppressive force that we can barely understand.
We actually have a chance to free the people of Iraq from this dictator.
There are numerous reports of Hussein testing chemical and biological weapons on his own people.
Other accounts tell of Hussein’s police force raping daughters, mothers and wives in front of their fathers and husbands to force confessions.
But, we do not hear about these atrocities. What we hear is Saddam himself on CBS spreading pure propaganda and lies.
He should have never even been allowed on the airwaves of this country.
That just goes to show us what people will do for their ratings.
I know. I know. I can hear it now. Free speech. You, Timothy would deny a murderous dictator the right to free speech.
My response is, “No of course not!”
He needs to speak with his actions, not just words.
He needs to disarm, now.
If this conflict were about oil, I suggest we attack Venezuela, since we get more oil from them.
So, I stand to be counted in the pro-war movement on this campus.
That brings up the question, “Is there a pro-war movement on this campus?”
There is now.
Do not mistake my bold statements for ignorant and blind complicity to the Bush administration.
I am not in favor of democratic imperialism, but in the protection of the United States and the freeing of people who cannot defend or free themselves.

Author