Students assemble at MSE to reflect on war

Johns Hopkins University students gathered on the lawn outside MSE Library on Wednesday for "A Time of Reflection" to discuss the repercussions of the war in Afghanistan and the tragedies of Sept. 11. The forum, sponsored by JHU for Peace, focused on opposition to U.S. policy regarding the war against the terrorism. Among the topics discussed were the effects of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, the role of the military and the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. The forum also addressed the issue of censorship in America. The purpose of the discussion, cited in an informational bulletin, was to "generate thought and dialogue about the situation."

A range of speakers, including current students, alumni, faculty and members of the Johns Hopkins community, shared their opinions on the U.S. war against terrorism. One of the main concerns was the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. Some argued that the tragedies of Sept. 11 have blinded the public to the suffering that afflicts the people of Afghanistan. One speaker criticized the U.S. military action as an act of terror, stating that the bombing of Afghanistan has cut off humanitarian aid and left millions of Afghani refugees starving.

Many argued that violence would not stop terrorism in America and that war should only be an option after peaceful alternatives have proved ineffective.

Frances Gage, a Johns Hopkins alumnus, said, "War must only be an option if a state or people face annihilation." Gage and others cautioned that U.S. military strikes could prove ineffective in halting terrorism and further exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.

Members of JHU for Peace distributed informational bulletins outlining the effects of U.S. bombing and the effectiveness of food drops in Afghanistan throughout the discussion.

Another one of the major issues discussed was the growing concern over censorship in America. Doug Basford of the Writing Seminars Department criticized the effects of the growing nationalist sentiment, saying that those who oppose the war in Afghanistan are labeled as "na?ve, stupid, and conditioned by an un-American impulse." He argued that in many cases these dissidents are viewed as "being on the side of terrorists" and that their views are not heard.

This opinion was confirmed by other speakers, who discussed the problem of criminalizing dissent in favor of a unified public opinion. Speakers also discussed concerns over the U.S. Patriot Act, signed into effect on Oct. 26. The bill increases the scope of federal authorities, permitting the FBI a greater degree of surveillance and expanding the range of arrest warrants. Many view this bill as a sacrifice of civil liberties, concerned that the government may abuse this new spectrum of power.

Those who participated in "A Time of Reflection" remarked that they were very pleased with the turnout for this program. Basford remarked that an event like this provides an avenue for opposing voices to be heard and offers a different point of view for those who have not yet made up their minds about the issue.

Gage, a member of JHU for Peace, said, "We wanted to break the silence. It creates a community that didn't exist before Sept. 11.