On war and finals
And so it ends. Today, I took my last final in my last class at Northwestern University. That’s right — no classes in the spring. So that’s it. Of course, I’m not off the hook yet — I have to finish up my thesis by May 2. But no more formal classes.
And my reaction? I don’t have one. I’m still in the middle of writing this thesis, so I’m really not “out of it” yet. Dealing with zero structure next quarter will take some adjusting on my part, I think. By the way, since the geeks on the CM have made it a fad of late to post their schedules for the upcoming quarter, and since I don’t have a schedule, here’s something far more interesting: my 2003 NCAA Tournament picks.
And we started bombing Iraq today. I guess big things come in bunches: my start at the Trib job on Monday, the bombing today, and my last class today. Maybe this is a turning point? Yes, quite possibly. I also think it would be a good idea for me to record my thoughts about the war here, because it’s good to come back months later and see what I was thinking.
My feelings about this war are mixed. After much thought — and I have thought about it quite a bit — I still do not ally myself completely with the “pro-war” or “anti-war” camps. When asked by others, I have become fond of saying that I’m not pro-war, but I’m anti-anti-war. I do know that I despise the anti-war movement. I do not trust them, I do not value their arguments, I resent their name-calling, I deem as pathetic their lack of an alternative plan, and I know for certain that they do not hold the moral high ground. On the last point, allow me to recommend an excellent article entitled “Casualties of Enlightenment” that makes clear why so many in the American and European left are uncomfortable with this War: it derives from moral certainty, which they detest. So yes, I am anti-anti-war.
But pro-war? I am not sure I would categorize myself as such. I trust our leaders’ intentions, but I am not wholly confident in their ability to bring about the proper results. This comes not necessarily from a lack of effort but rather myriad circumstances, not unimportant among them the divisions in the West over the use of force.
Pro-war? Who truly hopes for war? I do believe war is the only option for ousting Saddam and enforcing UN resolutions (the relevance of which is questionable anyhow), but I would be more comfortable with a war that had more global support. This is not to say that I believe the U.S. should bow before the U.N., but I do not think we should sever ties either. The U.N., we must remember, is composed in large part by repressive and undemocratic regimes. Should we care about the will of a body composed of such nations? Perhaps. But we should certainly be worried about what our allies think. And our allies are divided.
This, of course, brings us to the question us who is exactly is our ally. Let me tell you one country that is NOT our ally: France. France’s conduct in this entire affair has been disgusting. Chirac’s friendship with Saddam aside, the economic interests driving Franco policy in this affair make me sick. Do you think that $60 billion in oil investments has no effect on their foreign policy? And while we mass on the Iraqi border for war, French defense firms funnel spare helicopter parts to the Iraqis through the UAE. It is sickening, and mark my words: there will be repercussions for their deplorable conduct.
Pro-war? I worry about the post-war situation in Iraq more than the war itself. Iraq is less prepared than it was 12 years ago, and we are more prepared. That said, this is a different war. With the assurance that we would not march on Baghdad, Saddam chose not to use chemical or biological weapons in the first Gulf War. Whether he makes the same choice again remains to be seen.
Pro-war? I see no alternative to war. War in this case removes a cruel tyrant. War in this case leads to a democracy in a region littered with authoritarian regimes. War in this case removes the arsenal of chemical and biological weapons from a dangerous state. War in this case takes away a safe haven for terrorists. I am not unconvinced of the justice of our cause, but I do wish more of our allies were with us.
That said, our troops are first and foremost in my mind. Godspeed.
And for a little comic relief, listen to an Iraqi emigre ream out an anti-war activist on talk radio. It’s beautiful.