Students speak out against war in Iraq

By: Mary Carpenter and Stephanie Angela Lane
Posted In: Opinion

NEWPORT, R.I.- Saddam Houssein is out of power, democracy is being born, and people are experiencing the taste of freedom for the first time, but terrorism still exists, soldiers are dying, and it’s been three years since the invasion of Iraq.

March 20 marked the three year anniversary of the Iraq War. What has changed? If anything, people are noticing that the bad far outweighs the good that has come out of this war on terrorism.

Across the Salve Regina campus the students expressed discontent, fear, and confusion.

For Allison Smith, a junior at Salve, the United States should never have gone into Iraq in the first place. “I don’t agree with the political policy (and) I never have,” Smith said. “And if you were wondering no, I didn’t vote for Bush.”

Based on the fact that President Bush’s ratings are low, and the overwhelming protest for peace, this anniversary has served to be a reminder for Americans who were and are against the war.

“In the beginning of this all, if I could say one thing that I would’ve done different, it would be the fact that I probably would’ve informed the American public a lot earlier, and given more in

depth reasons for initiating this war,” said Bronya Shillo. “The third anniversary for me just really makes me scared the sense of fear that yes this is a war and yes it is still going on, I think the fear will only get stronger the longer this takes.”

Political policy, security, and personal values–many have their reasons for opposition to the war. Mayce El Karouf, a sophomore at Salve, is a practicing Muslim who has spent most of her live living in Europe. Even though she is has a different standpoint and cultural background, her concerns were similar to other Salve students.

“Upon coming here to study I had very different expectations of what America was all about. I have found a great deal of good and kindness that far exceeded my expectations, but I have also come to see a lot of falsities in what people outside of America perceive you guys to be all about,” El Karouf said. “Knowing nothing of how politics really work, I think it is ironic in such a ‘democratic’ society that the people of this country really have no voice at all. I think this war and this anniversary is a perfect example of what I’m trying to say.”

The United States began military operations against Iraq three years ago after President George W. Bush gave Saddam Hussein a 48-hour deadline to leave Iraq on March 17. Bush had warned Hussein that the United States and its coalition of allies would initiate a military action against the Iraqi regime.

Three years later and after more than 2,700 American soldiers’ deaths, the United States is still at war in Iraq. Three years after the declaration of war on March 19, 2003, the United States is still at war in Iraq with an indefinite future.

At the start of the war, Dr. John Quinn, chair of the history department at Salve, was concerned. He supported efforts in Afghanistan because that country had direct ties with the Taliban and terrorism. However, he was concerned that the United States might be jumping into Iraq without clear confirmation of Hussein’s involvement in supporting Al-Qaeda.

Now, after the initial success America experienced at the beginning of the war in Iraq, Quinn is both disappointed and surprised that the country is still in Iraq. It is even more difficult to accept because there is no clear end in sight.

“America is now in a difficult spot,” Quinn admitted. “It is difficult to decide which way to proceed – if we pull out too quickly it could start a civil war over there yet people find issue with

having our troops still over there. There is really no easy way out. Iraq is definitely not stable enough yet but it is to the point can we really help or not?”

Kayla Flynn, a freshman at Salve believes “we have to stay in Iraq because it will be chaotic if we pull out now.” When the war first began, she did not know how she felt about it. “I did not understand what the real reason for declaring war on Iraq was,” Flynn said.

Now Flynn is strong in her belief that the new government is not strong enough and there are still too many hard-core people within the country who want the old regime. For her, both of these reasons prevent America from being able to safely pull out.

Flynn goes as far to say “it would be like Vietnam again.” She believes they wouldn’t have a chance to survive as a country.

“We should not stay forever, but we should fight the problems and stay in Iraq until it is rebuilt and is able to stand on its own two feet,” said Flynn.