Last week, I was returning from a month-long research trip to Mexico just as Congress voted to give President Bush unprecedented powers in pursuing a war against Iraq. The experience was instructive. The most telling reaction in Mexico was to Bush's speech in which he said, "If you're not with us, then you're against us." Over and over again, unprompted, Mexicans from all walks of life repeated this phrase. Their outrage was palpable. How could a government be so arrogant, so self-righteous? How could the U.S. deny any country the right to disagree? The Mexican response is probably typical of many countries right now. If we continue to pursue a unilateral war against Iraq, we risk losing the respect and support of people worldwide. We also risk facing an even broader coalition of hate and despair directed against the U.S. There are many reasons for opposing a war against Iraq. The following are just a few: The war is a distraction from the inability of the current administration to address corporate malfeasance and from its abysmal performance in dealing with economic problems before and after Sept. 11. The war seems motivated more by oil interests than by a genuine concern for national security. No compelling evidence has been provided that Iraq poses an immediate threat, yet the extensive oil connections of Bush, Cheney and their cronies are well known and cause for great suspicion. The war is a pathetic attempt to build upon Sept. 11 fears and rally electoral support for Republicans. Without broad support from the U.N., the war is likely to further destabilize the Middle East, create more desperate enemies and lead to a dangerous escalation of generalized war and terrorism. Even though the Congress recently voted to support a war, I urge all of you to communicate your opposition to anyone who will listen and to thank those Congresspeople who opposed the measure. The Republican administration must be made to understand that they will suffer a huge political defeat for this ill-advised campaign against Iraq. For our children, and our children's children, say "Not In Our Name" to the plans for war.
Associate professor of education
