Alum Calls Peace Activists Out on War Stance

To the Editors:

In a letter last week entitled “Invitation To Rally for Peace,” Jackie Downing, speaking on behalf of OPAL wrote to inform the Oberlin community of what OPAL is and what they stand for. Her stance is that regardless of what transgressions may take place, responding with violence is never the answer. So I invite you, Miss Downing, as well as your colleagues and supporters, in this open forum that is the Review Perspectives section, to outline what the U.S. can do to resolve this tension without the use of force. You present many agreeable reasons why we should not attack, but you give no alternatives besides “peaceful solutions.” Well, you’ve probably spent a lot more time thinking about this than I have, so what’s your big, brilliant idea? I’m sure you have one.

If you respond, please refrain from occupying the front and back of your letter with quotes. Most of us already know that peace is vastly preferable to warfare — that reasoning with people is better than killing them. But rousing words of wisdom and pretty folk song lyrics do nothing but add filler to an already shallow argument. I want to hear only what YOU have to say, since you obviously know so much about international diplomacy and fanatical religious-conservative politics.

I personally would not begin to advocate an all-out war, unless that became immediately necessary — the last thing this nation needs is a repeat of the debacle that was the Vietnam War. But I do feel that there is a need to resolve some of the tension in and having learned a thing or two about what goes on there, that means some people need to be dead or in prison, certainly Osama Bin Laden and his underlings. I do agree that such action may raise the overall level of resentment toward the U.S., but I would rather be hated, knowing I helped protect the innocent globally and restored some semblance of freedom to an impoverished and persecuted population, than sit on my ass complaining while the innocent suffer and terrorists threaten our homes and lives. The U.S. should follow suit.
I could continue to elaborate my personal feelings, but I’m sure you already have a lot to say, and I’m sure you are already up to date on how the Taliban has been treating its people lately. Allow me finally to note that I am an educated, well-informed and open-minded U.S. citizen who has weighed the evidence and made a rational decision to support war against the terrorists and the Taliban. I will be eagerly awaiting your reply, so please tell me why I am wrong.

One final thing, while I have everyone’s attention. To the creator of the comic strip “Bad Faith”: fuck you.

–Christopher Wilson
OC ’01