Political activist to speak about terrorism, war

Until today, anti-war sentiment has generally only been visible by the tents in Dunn Meadow. It is taking on a different face this afternoon through Howard Zinn, a long-time war activist. He will speak on "Terrorism, War and Resistance" as part of Union Board's lecture series. The renowned historian, retired professor of political science, former Air Force bombardier and current political columnist of Progressive magazine will speak during a free event at the Buskirk-Chumley Theatre at noon. Zinn and members of No Sweat!, a campus organization dedicated to fighting oppression and improving workers' rights through activism, said he will furnish a unique perspective in the United State's ongoing war on terrorism.\n"What I may be able to offer (students) is information they don't have," Zinn said. "One, about the human damage we have done in Afghanistan. Two, about the history of American foreign policy, which has been disastrous for other countries and the United States."\nMembers of campus organizations echo Zinn's sentiments.\nMike Englert, community member of No Sweat! and the board director for the Center for Sustainable Living, said the press has mostly shaped war attitudes and that he's looking forward to hearing an alternate viewpoint.\n"I want to hear anything other than what mainstream corporate media is telling us," Englert said. "I really don't have any faith or trust in mainstream media these days. I think they're all being filtered heavily."\nEnglert played a key role in bringing Zinn to Bloomington through No Sweat!, which has been integral to the event's planning. To pay for the event, No Sweat! members raised $2,000 through fundraising, along with $6,000 provided by Union Board.\nZinn will have about an hour to speak on topics including the immorality of war and terrorism. He said he will also discuss his evaluation of U.S. foreign policy.\n"They (U.S. government) have no sense of right and wrong, no intelligent approach to what is happening in the Middle East," Zinn said. "They don't understand that you can't defeat terrorism by using force or by using terrorism yourself."\nSenior Bennett Baumer, No Sweat! member, thinks analysis of U.S. foreign policy will be a component of Zinn's lecture today. \n"I think it's important to engage in discussion of America's foreign policy because in the past it might not have seemed so relevant to people," Baumer said. "But I don't think anyone can deny the weight of foreign policy on the world now."\nHighly acclaimed international folksinger David Rovics will perform before Zinn's lecture. He is known for writing about struggles of various people around the world.\n"His lyrics are so powerful," No Sweat! treasurer and junior Megan Hise said. "He writes about a lot of things people don't necessarily know about."\nBetween Zinn and Rovics, Englert is hoping for a large turnout. He is expecting a full-capacity crowd this afternoon.\n"I'm hoping that there are a lot of students who have an open mind who are willing to listen to an alternative viewpoint," Englert said. "I'm hoping there are students who will want to come with an open mind."\nDoors open at the Buskirk-Chumley Theatre -- located at 114 E. Kirkwood Ave. -- at 11:30 a.m. Rovics will perform shortly after noon, and Zinn will speak at 1:15 p.m. A question-and-answer session with the audience will follow the lecture.