A panel discussion on the hot topic of a possible war with Iraq turned tense when students began catcalling and interjecting their opinions during a discussion in the University Center. Tuesday’s event left students both for and against the war dissatisfied.
Some students left early in protest of the panel’s format and makeup, saying it was unbalanced and that their voices were not being heard.
“I was interested in the opinions of the speakers,” Randy Bagay, a junior biology major said. “The opposition to the war may have been a bit unprepared and a bit too liberal in their opinions.”
The panel was made up of two University of Memphis professors and two law students. Kenneth Holland and M.A. Zaki are both professors with The University’s Political Science Department. Lola Afobali is a freshman law student and Andrew McGarrity is a junior law student.
Panelist had five minutes to express their viewpoints, followed by a debate within the panel. In discussion, the four debated the various points of the war such as U.N. backing, why military action is closer for Iraq than North Korea and whether a United States-led war is the only answer to the problem.
Zaki said while Saddam Hussein must go, he must go according to international law under the United Nations. Since the United States has been the staunchest supporter of the United Nations, it should continue in this vein by leaving Hussein in their hands.
“It has to be done within the framework of the U.N.,” Zaki said. “Without the U.N., the world will be in chaos.”
Afobali said she is against the war in Iraq due to her humanitarian beliefs. She said she does not think the children of Iraq should suffer, and that she is against killing millions of innocent people in a war.
“I believe that we have power as students to voice our opinions and protest this,” she said.
On the opposing side, Holland said Secretary of State Colin Powell made a compelling case last week. He said Iraq is in violation of U.N. Resolution 1441, a resolution that tells Iraq to account for biological and nuclear weapons and adds that there will be serious consequences if they do not.
“Iraq has failed to comply,” Holland said. “Now is the time to act.”
Holland also said Iraq is known to harbor terrorists.
McGarrity said Hussein has deceived the United Nations for decades and been given ample time to comply with the 17 resolutions that have been passed. In addition, Hussein has killed his own people as well as people from surrounding nations.
“I want peace. President Bush wants peace,” McGarrity said. “But I’m afraid the repercussions will be great if we don’t act now.”
“Saddam Hussein has shown a willingness to make war against his own people,” Holland said. “We have to limit his ability to wreck havoc.”
The panel used written questions from the audience during the question and answer session to discuss the sensitive topic in an orderly manner.
However, this was not satisfactory for a few students who wanted to question the panel directly and protested the moderator grouping and summarizing their questions.
“I didn’t think it was a very balanced panel,” Jeremy Draper said. “I wanted to see what opposing sides said, and they pretty much just said for war, like I am.”
Draper, a junior pre-med biology major, said he wished the United States had taken care of Hussein in the early 90s.
“Now we need to go quickly and try to limit the civilian casualties,” he said. “If we wait longer, it will just get worse.”
