By James Riswick
Staff Writer
In this year’s first Graphic, I wrote an article about the possibility of an American attack of Iraq and how international support was needed to go through with any such action.
That opinion really hasn’t changed much since then, but I thought I’d update and clear some things up. And please stay with me here, I promise not to be too bleeding-heart liberal.
Now, whether you agree with the war or not, let’s face it people, this is not going to be a war, it’s going to be a one-way attack by the United States on another nation. A stealth bomber is not exactly facing much of a challenge from a bunch of Iraqi guards in a 30-year-old Soviet tank. Blaring some Metallica over loud speakers would probably make them wave white flags in fear of the American war machine.
So this will be an attack, not a war, but that’s OK. Yes, people will die and it will probably set a bad precedent for the future, but in the end, ousting Saddam from power will be a good thing. Besides, the United States is going in no matter what at this point. Why keep dilly-dallying around it when the Bush administration has no intention of not attacking Iraq?
I think the biggest problem I have with this “attack” is how many people around the world are starting to completely dislike the United States. Sure, many from around the world already thought of Americans as a little arrogant and self-centered, but it wasn’t at this level.
At the same time, I find it sad that suddenly it’s fashionable to hate, yes hate, the French. Sure, I don’t like frogs legs or Citroens, and I’d rather not wake up for French 152 in the morning, but why do Americans now hate these people? Just because they don’t want to attack Iraq with us? If the United States is going into Baghdad anyway, why are people so upset that most of the world isn’t on the bandwagon?
The United States is acting like a spoiled child who isn’t getting his way. Just take the petty “freedom fries” and “liberty toast” debacle. Ooh, we really stuck it to the Frenchies there. Score one for the good guys … right.
Meanwhile, I’ve heard some American students here in Europe say they refuse to go to France or Germany because they don’t support the U.S. attack on Iraq. Passing up what could be a once in a lifetime opportunity because of this silly little war, er, attack, is frankly stupid.
They’ll be able to say someday that they missed the Eiffel Tower because of a war which will have about as much historical remembrance as the War of Austrian Succession.
As the British minister to Europe Denis MacShane said last week, “When the Iraq crisis is over, the United States and the European Union will still be there.”
It’s not worth alienating many of our allies, or hating decent people just because they disagree with this attack or because fries are named after them.
— Do you have another view on if and how the United States should go to war? E -mail James Riswick at jriz29@hotmail.com.
March 20, 2003