Editor,
I have been against the Iraq War from the start. I think it's a disaster that's been horrifically mismanaged and was executed with disgusting dishonesty, and I'd like nothing better than for it to be over.
Despite my great disdain for the war, though, I was dismayed to learn that GPSA had passed a resolution calling on Congress to demand immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq. GPSA is not composed of foreign policy experts, and its implied certainty of the appropriateness of immediate withdrawal from the situation is arrogant and na've.
I recognize that the knee-jerk reaction against the cronyism and incompetence of the Bush administration's policies is to demand immediate withdrawal, but such a perspective is as foolhardy, overly simplistic and lacking in critical thinking as the administration's initial march to war in 2003.
Further, GPSA is wasting its time. Members may feel that they are doing something positive to help the nation, but this act will have absolutely zero impact on policy. Ultimately, it does more to create an illusion of action than enact real change.
If GPSA is serious about doing something, perhaps it should think about the main reason we entered this war in the first place - oil. Sizeable portions of the world's declining oil reserves are located in Iraq and neighboring Saudi Arabia, Iran and Kuwait. Since the U.S. lifestyle is utterly dependent on oil, we entered an unethical and tragic war. Instead of passing empty resolutions, why doesn't GPSA try to attack our foreign policy problem at its root and decrease energy consumption at UNM? Why don't they demand that leaf blowers be replaced with rakes, that building lights are turned off after hours rather than left on 24 hours a day, that buildings be heated less in the winter and cooled less in the summer, and that the incredibly inefficient, continuously running shuttle system be downsized or eliminated?
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GPSA might actually have a chance of making some meaningful and helpful changes in these areas, and it would be setting a good example for individual students and for other institutions. So the ball's in your court, GPSA. It's easy to write a meaningless resolution that most students will agree with. Why don't you try doing something that takes real courage and might be unpopular but that would actually help our energy and foreign policy problems? Let's see you demand that UNM eliminate the rampant energy waste of the shuttles, leaf blowers, lighting, heating and cooling, effective
immediately.
Josh Tybur
UNM student
