Opinion

Needs of people being ignored

Samira Zaidi
Opinion Columnist

On my way home from UH the other day, I drove under a bridge, and my eyes caught something surprisingly out of place.

Hanging above the bridge was a banner that read, "No blood for oil."

I guess I was only surprised because I never would have imagined it hanging there by its lonesome -- I have only seen it being carried by anti-war protesters.

But one thing is certain: It shows that the public refuses to be silenced. Whether it is written above bridges and on bumper stickers or cried out in rallies and protests, popular sentiment is being heard.

Recent polls have made loud and clear the high number of American people who are strongly opposed to any military action against Iraq, especially without U.N. backing.

Nonetheless, our fearless leaders have begun to beat the war drums and say that, even if the world is not with us, we will go forth.

U.N. Security Council members France, Russia and China have made their opposition known to any strike that may be proposed, and have called for more time for weapons inspections to continue.

And while many of us are still reeling in Bushis State of the Union aftermath, I thought I might bring up a point I found quite interesting.

In an attempt to draw more applause and standing ovations from his puppets, President Bush made clear that "… The gravest danger facing America and the world is outlaw regimes that seek and possess nuclear, chemical and biological weapons."

I guess Saddam Hussein doesnit fit in that category, since he really isnit running away from anyone and still manages to stay in power; why, he certainly has been beating around the Bushes.

A statement like that couldnit have only been meant for "outlaw" states like Iraq and North Korea; it must have also included countries that have actually used these sorts of weapons -- not once, but twice?

And what about the fact that the United States gave Iraq the capabilities to create a biological warfare arsenal, handing them botulism toxin samples on a silver platter; or that they funded Iraqis weapons program during the Iran-Iraq war of 1980?

As more than two-thirds of Americans are holding their ground to oppose military action, they are making a strong point: Americans are not going to sit back and watch their "elected representatives" take action out of their interests alone.

When are political leaders going to learn that spouting patriotic rhetoric just to muster public support isnit really going to work?

You canit say, "Weire winning," eat a slice of apple pie and expect the people to hoist you on their shoulders and sing, "For heis a jolly good fellow."

If weire winning, why is this country still suffering from unemployment, corporate greed and scandals, poverty and a poor health care system? 

Billions of dollars are being pumped into military spending and exploring the moon when here on Earth we could certainly use those billions to feed, nurture and educate.

This is the government that is of the people, for the people and by the people -- yet it seems as if the only people who matter are those on Capitol Hill.

Needless to say, it is the masses who make a change, a point and a difference. As long as they continue to stand up for their ideals, the state of the union will improve.

Zaidi, a senior communication major, can be reached at greeneggs334@hotmail.com.