Through the blinding entity we call ‘patriotism,’ American citizens are being duped into an immoral war with Iraq.

I do believe that disarmament is the single greatest goal humanity should strive toward. But disarmament should not be selective, with mid-major powers (Iraq, North Korea etc…) being opposed so vehemently for daring to be like America and our thousands of nuclear weapons. Iraq and North Korea seek power equal to that of the U.S., China and Russia. Yet we’re stopping them for such immoral (if not evil) actions. What an indictment of our own immorality!

The morality of weaponry shouldn’t be determined by your state affiliation, but rather by your humanity. Either weapons are permissible, or they’re not. America’s ‘big stick in the name of peace’ policy wallows in the pits of its own hypocrisy. If we can have weapons, anyone can have them. Universal disarmament is the only answer, and if that’s too impractical given human nature, then arm everyone. That is the price of consistency.

Regrettably, America’s egoistic ethic won’t allow for such a radical position. It has always been the position of our government that foreign nations disagreeing with its foreign policy are either immoral or stupid. We seem to value human life in direct proportion to where you were born and how deep your capitalistic veins run. American imperialism wishes that others be like us, but below us. One nation, under none! And we promote freedom? For us perhaps, at others’ expense.

As a side note, many of you are Christians. I urge you not to fall into this patriotic, manifest-destiny-laden trap. I believe God deals with humans (HIS creation), not ‘king and country,’ [OUR (quite ugly) creation]. If you believe that in Christ all of humanity is redeemed, then pledge your loyalty to God through humanity and not America.

Any war is a human tragedy, and our preventative maintenance can never justify it. There is power, indeed virtue, in pacifism. Al-Qaeda was different. We responded; we did not initiate. I ask that you oppose this war. We will not allow the triumph of violence in the affairs of men!

Zachary Shaner
junior Bible and Spanish major from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho