Point

Threat demands actions
by Nick Nick Nance

    Over 20 years ago, the Sate Department listed Saddam Hussein and Iraq as financial supporters of terrorism throughout the world.

    Now, we are undergoing years of attacks by those who have been preparing the last 20 years. We must act now.

    The most alarming action to me is what takes place in Israel. We have seen countless news stories of suicide bombings in the middle of heavily populated areas. What we have not heard as much about was what took place after the incident.

    When these 'human bombs' carry out their objectives, their families are rewarded with a monetary bonus from the Iraqi government.

    This blatant support of terrorism by Saddam Hussein is undeniable. Some argue that it is not our problem; it is Israel's. Wrong again.

    In a recent terrorist attack at a school in Jerusalem, five Americans were killed.

    These attacks are intended to harm or kill as many Jews or Americans as they can. We cannot let these actions continue. We will all experience the terror first hand if these actions are not stopped. That is a guarantee a future of inaction will bring.

    In a recent poll conducted for the Star-Telegram, 77 percent of Americans say they support military strikes against any country that harbors terrorists associated with Osama bin Laden and his al Qaeda network. About 57 percent consider Iraq an enemy in the war on terrorism.

    Once Iraq is again able to import modern hardware and, crucially, spares and logistical support equipment, then its military may well be able to re-emerge as a dominant force in the Gulf.

    Iraq has consistently shown its defiance to the world's attempt at regulation of its weapons. After the Gulf War, Hussein vowed to follow the U.N rules. It ended up a short-lived promise.

    "Simply stated, there is no doubt that Saddam Hussein now has weapons of mass destruction; there is no doubt that he is amassing them to use against our friends, against our allies and against us," Vice-President Dick Cheney said during a recent speech to veterans.

    We will continue to see terrorist attacks until the day there is a power change in Iraq. We didn't ask for the problem, but we are stepping up to fix it. Again.

    "Clearly if Saddam Hussein is left in power doing the things that he is doing now this is a threat that will emerge, and emerge in a very big way," Condoleezza Rice told the British Broadcasting Corp.

Counterpoint

War on Iraq un-American
by Chris Taylor

    Although my patriotism is often questioned, I do consider myself an American. And as an American citizen, it is my duty to remain vigilant and critical of my government's activities.

    Currently, there is much debate on whether we should attack Iraq. King George II appears to have already made up his mind on the issue.

    Bush has consulted with White House lawyers and determined that he does not need Congressional approval to wage war against the tiny, oil-rich country.

    Does anyone else find the idea that our president wants to wage war without our approval a little disturbing?

    The Bush administration refers to an attack on Iraq as a 'regime change.' When did we get to decide who is capable of ruling foreign countries?

    Then there is also the scare that Saddam has access to weapons of mass destruction. First, how can we attack a people based on what their leader might do? Imagine if our justice system worked on the same principle. Would we lock up children of single mothers because they might turn out to be criminals? Would we execute gun owners because they might shoot another person?

    A military policy of hit the other guy before he hits you is not going to make us many friends. That's all we need, more angry fanatics who want to smash airplanes into our buildings.

    Second, when did we get to decide which countries are allowed to have weapons of mass destruction? We have them, and we are the only nation in history that has used them against people.

    If anyone could be deemed untrustworthy with such weapons, maybe it should be the United States.

    Perhaps the biggest problem with this war is that it just feels as though the American people are being recruited for a family feud. We are all aware of the first BushÕs problems with Saddam. Many in the current administration think that Saddam should have been dealt with the first time.

    Former U.N. inspectors don't believe Iraq to be a threat. Why not believe them?

    Of course, as all good Americans know, we are right all the time, and we use our weapons responsibly. We arenÕt like them.

    They must be stopped because they are threatening the countries around them with force.

    We are better than that. We would never start an unprovoked war with a weaker enemy just for our own selfish national interests.