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Ebbtide Staff Students and faculty gathered in the main hall of the PUB building on Oct. 18 to voice their concerns and opposition to aggression against Iraq. An open-forum, the peace rally was an opportunity for anyone with an opinion to express it. Although the speakers and a majority of the audience participated some audience members remained reticent or otherwise preoccupied. Sean Rody, SCC Instructor and organizer of the event, introduced Linda Warren, a philosophy professor. Warren gave a brief history of Iraqi politics during the 20th century. Warren described how Iraq managed to throw off British occupation during the 1930's but within 6 - 7 years the United States took hold of the country. Later, after placing Saddam Hussien into power and supplying him with weapons, in Iraq's fight against Iran, arms deals with the Iranians come to light. As a result the citizens of Iraq have no trust of Americans. Warren described the impact of the economic sanctions implemented by the UN Security Council after being "strong-armed" by the United States. "The liberation of Iraq was a lie," Warren said. "Iraq now exists in a police/militarized state." Suddenly, over the speakers, "What's crackin' dog?" Heads turn to a young man on a Nokia cell phone. As he begins a conversation about the previous nights exploits, his voice ambles back into the background. Christine Landon, a humanities instructor, gave a reading of Mark Twain's "The War Prayer" (see insert). Published in 1902, after Twain's death at the author's insistence. Twain is quoted as saying, "Only dead men can tell the truth." A congregation, having just prayed to God for victory in battle, receives a visit from a stranger. The stranger instructs the congregation that a prayer has two elements: victory for their boys and terrible defeat for their enemies. The stranger's logic is dismissed as madness. Although Landon employed dramatic characterizations of the voices and a passionate tone for the reading, the small gaggle of young women scarcely missed a beat of their conversation about someone or other's butt. Jeff Junkinsmith, a music instructor, spoke to the crowd as "a father and a teacher." "George W. Bush will not fight this war," says Junkinsmith, "you will fight this war. And that makes me angry, sad and sick." "Congress delegated war powers to an illegally appointed president," said Junkinsmith. He then proceeded to list and refute the three reasons being given to garner support for aggression against Iraq: One, Iraq has major ties to Al-Queda - "The CIA says this isn't so, " said Junkinsmith. Two, Iraq is harboring weapons of mass destruction - Junkinsmith retorts, "Scott Ridder , a UN weapons inspector, says his agencies investigation concluded that 98 percent of the weapons have been eliminated." Three, A preemptive strike would assure greater domestic security - Junkinsmith believes a preemptive strike would instigate terrorist retaliation. Behind the podium, speakers gave heart-felt dissertations and emotional pleas for tolerance. As classes resumed and the audience thinned, those who remained appeared much more interested in chicken Caesar salad or instant Udon noodles than in stepping up to the microphone. Chatting on cell phones took precedence over an active part in this global event, which could have a dramatic impact. Was the rally a success? Students and faculty came together and discussed an issue important to them. In that regard, the rally was successful. The difficulty lying ahead for events such as this will be overcoming apathy. As with any situation, some people just don't get it. © 2002 Shoreline Community College™ |