Letter to the Editor
To the editor:
The League of Women Voters sponsored a wonderful program on a recent Friday evening at Lawrence High School with a diverse cross-section of our community presenting various perspectives on the War with Iraq, as well as the road that brought us here. Well coordinated, to allow ample time for people in the audience to ask questions and express their opinions, the program never got out of control, although it was clearly better attended by those who were strongly opposed. Sensitivity to the support that we share with the troops and their family was touched upon, which brings me to some other observations and ironies that should be noted.
First, as I approached the entrance to the high school, there stood a family of four, almost as greeters at wedding: a mother, with a Marine emblem proudly above her heart, a smiling senior veteran, a father with a military cap on his head, and a young boy in fatigues at his side, holding a Marine flag. I approached them and asked if they were here for the event, to which the father answered that they were outside, standing in support of our brave soldiers, overseas. They have a friend there, and the mother spoke of how her son would be graduating and entering boot camp. I enjoyed talking with them, as I too share family ties with a brother who fought in the first Gulf War and a father from World War II. Although impressed with the statement that they were making, they confided that I was the only one to ask them why they stood outside; to which I replied: perhaps you should come in and listen, and if so moved, share your concerns with the others.
There are many ironies in life. To sit in a public school listening to a panel of two students, a veteran, a Muslim father, a former participant in the construction of a military city in the Middle East, a school board member’s husband and a peace movement leader, I marveled at the diversity here. Such diversity is lacking in the upper echelons of the two warring nations in this conflict. In Iraq, Saddam is surrounded by military advisors and here in America, the government is run by professional politicians primarily from one profession (legal). Ironically the dictator/military state is receiving a military assault as the world has ever seen, and the debates and the decision to wage war have caused civil strife here. Somehow the phrase of "reaping what one sows" comes to mind.
Yes the ironies abound. In America the right to prayer is frequently challenged in the schools, and in many middle-eastern countries, the schools are run by their religion, teaching almost exclusively of faith and little of the sciences, math and arts that surrounded us last night. There is little chance of women voters to assemble such an event in Iraq, for women cannot vote; in fact, the very idea of any public/private "league" is often grounds for death.
If we are ever to understand the events that brought us to these days, perhaps we must begin with recognition of the ironies that surround us, take stock in the opportunities to assemble in peace, and encourage others to join in the discussion and debate, putting aside the protests, be they silent or violent.
Victor Murray
Melvina Drive
Lawrenceville