The Iraq War Undermines U.S. Solidarity

STAFF EDITORIAL

TESS DONOHOE / SPECIAL TO THE GUARDSMAN

In this war, battles wage on multiple fronts. In this fight, the bursts of shot and bitter taste of wallowing smoke occur not only upon the sweeping sands of Iraq, but also within the executive and legislative bodies of the United States.

The death toll has long since passed the 2,000 mark for American soldiers. That number fails to account for the civilian tragedies forever accompanying violence.

A democrat-sponsored demand for a military de-escalation plan failed to pass the Senate by a vote of 58-40. Instead, that legislative body passed, 79-19, a toothless, bi-partisan resolution designating 2006 as a period to evaluate military withdrawal and the passing of sovereignty to the Iraqi government.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari recently said prisoners in makeshift prisons appeared malnourished and tortured. The Guantanamo Bay abuses continue to smear international opinion of the United States.

But President Bush vowed to veto any bill containing a provision sponsored by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., which details specific rules for the interrogation of terror suspects.

This divide in the government reflects the chasm between the red and blue states. The United States is a population divided within itself — a mixture coalesced into separate factions clinging to stubborn ideologies or compromising with one another toward ineffective ends.

The bickering resembles the first political cartoon published by Benjamin Franklin during the founding days of this country. It showed a snake divided into equal segments above the words “Join, or Die.”
Now, death quietly stirs in the shallows off America’s shores. Waiting.

e-mail: editorial@theguardsman.com

Soldiers Pay The Ultimate Price: A former sailor shares his life and past on the Iraq war

BY NATHAN WEYLAND

NATHAN WEYLAND / GUARDSMAN

I have tried very hard to forget my time in Iraq with the U.S. Coast Guard — not because it was damaging to my psyche, but because I am not particularly proud of that period of my life.

My ship entered the Persian Gulf on Feb. 12, 2003, and left shortly after the end of official (remember “mission accomplished?”) hostilities.

My job was to fix communication equipment and to provide support to other ships in the region. The Coast Guard was there mostly for security and logistical purposes — it is not very good at waging war.

In the evening I saw the oil fires burning in Kuwait, a scant three miles away. I remember helicopters in the air constantly, bringing supplies to the hundreds of ships packed into our tiny corner of the northern Persian Gulf.

At night, we could see the Navy ships on the horizon launch Tomahawk missiles at Baghdad, and then we could go inside and watch them land on CNN. I remember how everybody cheered and hollered at each green glow, as if it were fireworks on the Fourth of July.

I have been an outspoken critic of America’s involvement in Iraq since the first quiet drumbeat all those years ago. Luckily, I have no reason to be ashamed of my role in the war, primarily because I didn’t really do that much. Many returning veterans are not that fortunate, and some paid the ultimate price. Many others will pay the price before the war is over, and for that I am ashamed — ashamed to call myself an American.

e-mail: asstphotoeditor@theguardsman.com

COMING IN

Faculty Poll

Do you expect it to be difficult for students to find jobs in the future?

Yes: 60% (6 out of 10)
No: 40% (4 out of 10)


“In music it depends on the student. There’s lots of jobs if they look for them and have a desire to do them. Mostly in teaching, there’s always a need of good teachers, always.”
Larry Ferrara, music

“Without a high school degree it will be harder ... the probability of having a higher salary is greater if you have a degree ... I think it's important to advance in salary ... if you want to buy a house, it’s going to be hard because they are becoming more expensive, especially here.”
Coni Staff, physical education

ON THE RECORD

Describe your perfect boyfriend or girlfriend.

Jonathan Toite

“Somebody who plays drums better than me … actually just a good drummer … preferably female.”

Paola Cro

“There is not a perfect partner. There are only imperfect people that you have to learn to accept. Somebody has got to love them, so you do.”

Thomas Buckley

“Somebody who will make me think. Kind, peaceful, loveable, loyal, joyful and I guess cute.”

Kayla Bearg

“Someone who grovels at my feet.”

John Buklin

“She should be hot and really nice. Ideally she should be spontaneous and creative, but that sounds cheesy.”

Rio Roth

“Somebody who is a cartoonist and a political activist … and smokes cigarettes.”