In the wake of
the
terrorist attacks on the country, many people are left wondering, "what now?" Many people support a large military attack while others support a covert operation. Some support war in general and others want no part of it. Will a draft be instituted? These and other thoughts are sitting hard on the minds of students and younger adults at the forefront of a changing nation.
Whim wants to hear from you about the events stemming from the September 11th attacks on our nation. Use the feedback form to sound off. All opinions and political stances are welcome.
What do you think?
Leave your comments below.
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Name: Bryan Year: Frosh Major: Moderate Comments:
We're gonna get bin Laden and Omar one way or another, then we're gonna hand control over to the interim government, while still supplying food drops to the Afghan people. As for the dying children, it's a sad fact, yes, but it is not that drastic a change compared to last year's Afghan child mortality rate. It wasn't caused by our war, it was caused by the civil war in Afghanistan. Anyway, we're heading to Iraq next, which I'm not sure is the right idea, but it will sure as hell save a lot of trouble later on if we finally get Hussein. As for civil liberties vs. security, yeah, that's scary shit. Michigan sent out "invitations" to its citizens of Arab or Middle Eastern descent to come down to the local police station for questioning. The NSA now has the right and capability to listen to ALL digital conversations, this means online IM's, e-mail, and cell phone conversations are legally tapped. In summation: bring me the head of bin Laden, and make an investment in the carrier pigeon industry.
Name: Nicole S. Year: senior (again) Major: Media Studies Comments:
I have mixed feelings about this. It is difficult when you are a Catholic and want-to-be pacifist but also an army brat, in addition being a media major. The military is just "following orders" and doing what they can to get paid. In fact my Dad (a retired U. S. Army officer) was on a plane headed for L.A. when the World trade Center was bombed. I don't know who is the "good guy " in this situation because I hear one thing yet I hear another.
Name: Jeff Year: Senior Major: English Comments:
UNICEF estimates that 100,000 Afghan children will be dead by the end of the winter. This is caused by dislocation and chaos from the war. A lot of it is starvation too. Previously there was enough food being delivered to Afghanistan to feed 5,000,000 people a day. Those humanitarian efforts were interrupted by the war, and now there is only enough food being dropped for 37,500 people a day. We came into this thing saying it was a war on terrorism. Like my terminology or not, this is a war on an entire culture. This is the way war goes, and this is the way war always goes. And now, as if the horror overseas wasn't enough, the FBI and the Justice Department under Atty. General John Ashcroft are considering using torture methods (their euphemism is "Israeli-style pressure tactics") on "suspected terrorists" who assert their right to remain silent. Who is a suspected terrorist, and how do you find out? Do you dig up the stinking corpse of Joe McCarthy and get him to point them out for you? To those of you who think I am unpatriotic: Go ahead, tell me 100,000 deaths in a few months isn't supposed to bother me very much. They wanted to die about as much as the victims of 9.11.01 did here, and know even less about their government than we know of ours. We wreak havoc on them and now we wreak havoc on our own ideals. Afghanistan is a nation where the per capita income is $180 a year, 12% of the population has access to drinking water and sanitation, and the infant mortality rate is 25%. These are people who are dying. If I'm unpatriotic for being sick of war, and not thinking war will end war, and not thinking this war is for the children, then fine, so be it. This entire war--and the psychological tirade on those who don't support it--makes me ill.
Name:Marty Callaghan Comments:
ROC-TV is producing a documentary on how the terrorist attacks have affected this campus. If you have a poignant story about the attacks, or have strong opinions to voice about how the US is handling the situation, please contact me at x6381 or Josh Denney, executive producer for ROC-TV, at x6245. Thanks.
Name: Shaun Year: Grad Major: English Comments:
The CIA is so full of good ideas, let me tell you. It turns out that they have issued orders to kill bin Laden if necessary. That's the last thing they want to do. First off, killing him will not take out the Al-Qieda network; someone will come along and take his place. Second, killing bin Laden will make him into a martyr, and adding more fuel to the terrorist's fire, and making them all that more willing to fight.
Name: Patriot of America Comments:
I am in total agreement with how our country is handling the situation. I think some sort of military action is called for and I am welling to break a few eggs to make an omelet. But I do know their are some out there that are totally against this conflict and have held rallies and protests screaming we are killing babies and all that sort of chatter. To me its just treehugging hippy crap. I mean, what do you people against this expect? We are just going to let this pass and say, "Well never do this again?" But I am patient and want to hear your opinion. So I present this to every person who believes the US is handling this situation wrong, killing babies, etc: What would you like us to do then? How would you handle this? I had one of your kind come up to me and say, "Well why don't we sign a peace treaty?" I'm sorry, you can't sign a peace treaty with a terrorist. Whoever did this act, Bin Laden or not, is a cold, ruthless killer. So how would you handle this differently?
Name: rachel Comments:
along the lines of bio terrorism, i would just like to remind everyone to get their flu shot. many of these agents show up as flu symptoms. if you do come down with something, the shot would help you rule out the flu.
Name:Uncle of Radford Student Comments:
Whether or not Radford Parent statement is his/her own material is unimportant. What he/she says makes good sense. Osma bin Laden and his cohorts are going to keep coming at us no matter what we do or don't do. Where ever Americans are at, military or civilians, women or children, he has sworn to attack and kill us. All terrorist and those that support them must be taken out of the picture so that they can harm no one else any more. We must also do what we can to help the good muslim's in the world. We must give them hope and a future worth living for.
Name: Shaun Year: Grad Major: English Comments:
I've heard about the anthrax being manufactured. Investigators believe the strand in Florida was created almost FIFTY years ago, in an Iowa lab. Just how someone got a hold of it is beyond me. Frankly, if I were a terrorist, I could think of a lot better places to hit with such a disease than a freaking tabloid. Someone pointed out that domestic terrorist groups, such as the type Timothy McVeigh belonged to, may seize this opportunity and perpeturate such acts, and everybody would instantly blame bin Laden and his crew, and not them.
Name: Jeff Year: Junior/Senior Major: English Comments:
At least they've realized what it is and disease control can deal with it accordingly. And they also realized the disease was most likely manufactured, not natural. So there's certainly something there to think about.
Name: Ms. J Comments:
I think the Radford parent makes a good piont anyway.
Name: Shaun Year: Grad Major: English Comments:
They've had a second case of anthrax down in Florida. More than likely, this isn't related to bio-terrorism. But, there's been a lot of talk about the potential threat of such an attack, but if there was, and the government/CDC was aware it was a bio-terrorist attack, do you think they would tell the public? If they did, no telling the panic that would ensue...
Name: Mr. Id Comments:
Radford Parent's arguments aren't his/her own. I've seen them in several places all over the net...
Name: Radford Parent Comments:
Well, Lets see, Punch One--Our embassies in Africa, Punch Two--USS Cole, Punch Three---World Trade Center. All related to the same guy! We have found that bin Laden had mock ups of LAX airport. Shall we wait for another punch? IT AIN'T GONNA STOP! whether we punch back or not. WE should stand up for what's right,even if there's a cost! When we say we are at war, it means that when one of those low-life terrorist cells are found were gonna go WAX 'em! They and any country that is harboring them have been given fair notice. I for one applaude George Dubya for having the guts (actually I had another word in mind) to stand up for what's right rather than throw some Cruise missles at an aspirin factory and say we did everything we could. I think the "innocent" Afganis will be glad to pay ANY price to get rid of the Taliban! And NO I am not advocating punching back at every Moslem in America. I want to think that most love this country as much as I.
Name: Shaun Year: Grad Major: English Comments:
But punch back at who Radford Parent? >Tons of innocent Afghanis? >Every Muslim in America?
Your comments suggest that there is a set nation to go after, like in World War II. Well guess what? THERE'S NOT! This isn't a war, like WWII per se, it's a war of idealogies. A war between one idealogy that does despicable things in secret and the other who does it out in the open. So unless you have some secret divine insight into who perpretated this for sure, which I doubt seriously you do, please hold off on the punches.
Name:A Radford Parent Year: N/A Major: N/A Comments:
Why should we retaliate
The next time you see someone protesting:
> 1) Approach student talking about "peace" and saying there should be, "no retaliation."
>
> 2) Engage in brief conversation, ask if military force is appropriate.
>
> 3) When he says "No," ask, "Why not?"
>
> 4) Wait until he says something to the effect of, "Because that would just
cause more innocent deaths, which would be awful and we should not cause
more violence."
>
> 5) When he's in mid sentence, punch him in the face as hard as you can.
>
> 6) When he gets back up to up to punch you, point out that it would be a
mistake and contrary to his values to strike you, because that would, "be
awful and he should not cause more violence."
>
> 7) Wait until he agrees that he has pledged not to commit additional
violence.
>
> 8) Punch him in the face again, harder this time. Repeat steps 5
through 8 until he understands that sometimes it is necessary to punch
back.
>
A Radford Parent
Name: Jeff Year: Junior/Senior Major: English Comments:
I'm so tired of the people who think this is going to be World War III and we're all going to be drafted. Number 1, we have everyone and their brother on our side. This is the entire world against individuals. Number 2, we have plenty of people enlisting and we have gobs of reserves. Number 3, this is going to be a very secret and very strategic military operation. The chances of this escalating into a massive war are, at best, minimal.
And another thing. I didn't care too much for Wubba's speech. "You're either for us or against us." I am opposed to war, and therefore I am against the nation? I'll have that conservative twit know that I'm a patriot, not a blind nationalist. I love my country but when I see something wrong with it, I am going to speak up. I am a proud pacifist and I do not support the cycle of fragmentation that politicians such as Wubba revel in. Fat wallets only make empty stomachs, decrepid schools and hospitals and foreign policy that will eventually be something Nixon would scoff at.
Name: Shaun Year: Grad Major: English Comments:
An article on Cnn.com says a senator is calling for a board of inquiry, trying to determine how the attacks slipped by intelligence. First, I want to say that I hope a few there's a few unemployed intelligence agents by the time it's done. The article said the board isn't out to ruin careers, but c'mon-if America supposedly has the best intellgence agency in the world, then how in the hell did something like this slip by? Notice how no one seems to be making too loud a noise about this? How no one is calling for accountability on the part of the CIA? I guess even daring to question our country right now would be considered "unpatriotic."
Name: Alan Comments:
I belive it has been renamed to Operation Enduring Freedom :)
Name: Alan Year: Jr. Major: ADSY Comments:
I've heard some people say, "just bomb em to hell." Referring to Afganistan of course. Such sentiments, in my opinion are misdirected. We (as a people and nation) should be able to distinguish the difference between the act of terrorists, and those of a country. Afganistan is not to blame. Their civilians are as innocent as ours. True, the Taliban may be a big contributing factor relation to Bin laden, but that does not call for annilation of their country. Although the Taliban are the major controlling force in Afganistan, this does not call for action against the country as a whole. As for the option of a military campaign.. Who will you target? Terrorists don't just sit still and wait for the special forces, or cruise missles to find them. They are spread out all over the world. If indeed you do attack or bomb the Taliban, this could just increase dislike for us by those in Afganistan. It has been said that many of them don't even know what's going on, just that the US is targeting them.
personally, I think gathering intelligence is of prime importance. Secondly there should be cover operations to get rid of terrorist cells. Countries such as Afganistan that harbor terrorist will be difficult to deal with, but when dealt with, it should be against the government and those specifically responsible.. not the country as a whole. A bit longer than I expected.. but hey, you wanted feedback :)
Name: brandon Comments:
I believe it's obvious something will arise very soon -- by the sound of Bush's address Thursday night. I am for some sort of retaliation, but I don't think a huge, all-out war is the answer. I trust that our country will make the right decision with that in mind.
Name: Mr. Id Comments:
"Operation Infinite Justice?" Oh please...
