By Anai Rhoads

January 12, 2002


I do not know of many Arab or Muslim Americans who do not feel somewhat out-of-place
residing in the US with the constant propaganda and rhetoric thrown at viewers on a
daily basis by our media. Its misguided purpose is only good at is promoting an
unpleasant experience of alienation which has shown to express hostility.

The aftermath of 9/11 wrought terror on innocent lives of those living in Afghanistan. US
and UK troops killed well over 3,000 civilians by December of 2001 alone. This number
does not include the millions displaced, wounded and left without food/water. The
statistics are staggering. The task of cleaning up is still yet incomplete in Afghanistan.

While the "War on Terrorism" continues to unfold, yet another war is on the horizon -
Iraq. After 12 years of sanctions - depriving the people of Iraq the much needed
medicine, water and other necessities that we here take for granted - the US has
decided that now is the perfect time for an attack. How many will die in the war against
Iraq? We already know it will cost the American taxpayer 200 billion dollars - this without
financial support from other countries. And how much will it cost when its all "over". That
is a figure no one has right now because what Iraq will need after this war will be
without a doubt massive. Recession? It will get worse.

There is absolutely no hard evidence that Iraq had anything to do with September 11th,
or that Iraq has or is even currently building weapons, but these are the only theories
that the US is hoping will justify an attack. If this war was planned around the days
following 9/11, many Americans would have supported a war against Iraq - while the
feeling of solidarity, patriotism and paranoia was high.

One cannot deny Saddam is an evil dictator, but he most certainly is not an autocrat. His
power is limited and lacks the strength it once did before the sanctions. Not to mention,
an attack on any arab state by Saddam would ultimately push him out of power.

And what does Saddam thrive on? Power.

Removing Saddam from power may or may not solve Iraq's problem. The method of
action in his removal by the US is disturbing, costly, lacks humanity and may be viewed
by some as terrorism in itself. As the broken record goes - Lift sanctions and get UN
inspectors back to monitor facilities.