Obie articulates political position

To the Editors:

At the risk of sounding pretentious, (hey, I’m a college student, I can’t help it sometimes!) I would like to point out that I know more than the average American about the situation in Iraq. In fact, as Oberlin students, I would imagine that most of us do, I’m a politics major. In U.S. Foreign Policy last semester, we read at least three articles about Iraq, and had to write a group paper about whether or not deterrence would work in the case of Saddam Hussein. I read the New York Times and the Syracuse Herald-Journal, because I’m always interested in various viewpoints regarding the war.
From the minute I discovered that George W. Bush had been elected, I was shocked and appalled. I hate basically every policy decision he has ever taken part in as President, from his horrible environmental rollbacks to his questionable global AIDS plan. None of these are the reasons that I oppose a continued and/or escalated war against Iraq. I just do. I think that war is a horrible thing, and I wouldn’t support it in any case. In my opinion, the devastation it creates overrides any sort of justification that could possibly be given.
In last week’s Review, a student shared his opinion that “many anti-war students do not know how to defend their ideals.” The question I have is: why do I have to defend my ideals to anyone? Can’t I have an opinion without being forced to have an argument to back it up? I’m sick of the misconception that opposing war is somehow a liberal or progressive viewpoint. Peace is not a new concept. It wasn’t invented by our hippie parents in the 60’s. Remember Immanuel Kant? Way back in 1795 he talked about the best way to achieve lasting peace between nations. And I’m sure he wasn’t the first one to ever have that thought. I don’t understand why war is even still an option. I would hardly equate opposing the murder of innocent civilians with jumping on any sort of “bandwagon.” Why should we have to defend ourselves? It is those who advocate war that should have to justify their position.
I could write a ten-page essay on why war with Iraq is a really, really bad idea. Truthfully, though, I mainly oppose the war because in my heart I feel that it is wrong. Unfortunately, I can’t do much right now to stop the wars that are raging all over the world. However, since I live in a democracy where my opinion actually counts, I can do my part to stop my country from participating. It’s not even a strategic issue for me, it’s a moral one. I think it’s wrong to kill people. My reasons for opposing the war have little to do with reason, facts, and statistics, and much more to do with feeling and emotion. And for me, that’s good enough. I’m not saying that it is unnecessary to have strong facts to back up your viewpoint. As college students and future world leaders, these skills will be invaluable. I think it is wonderful for us to be educated and knowledgeable about all the facets involved in this issue. However, I urge you to not forget that we are allowed to have emotions as well, and sometimes these reasons are just as valid.

—Jen Frigolette
College senior