| OCR Text |
Show Friday, February The Daily Utah Chronicle - Page Five 15, 1991 Decision to fight in Gulf made with historical consideration Alexis de Toqueville said, democratic nations, each "Among new generation is a new people." Regardless of your opinion on the war in the Gulf, Jan. 16, 1991 will be a day long remembered it will mark the end of the Boom Generation and the christening of the "(yet to be labeled)" Generation. We are the youngest members of society to remember with nauseating VietnamYuppieBaby clarity the previous generation, which means we have the greatest responsibility to the future. Why nauseating? There are countless essays on the "Me" lifestyles, the philosophy and "get-rich-quic- k" notably the breakdown of respect for the republic's institutions (not that it was wholly unwarranted however). Why responsibility? It may come as a surprise to some, but the rights we enjoy in the country, rights that get more luxurious every generation, are nor are they not will be our It air. thin supported by do work of the to "hard duty freedom" as our beloved troops are demonstrating in the sand, seas, and skies of the Middle East. Even before this crisis began, student activism began approaching the late'60s level. Of course the war will only increase awareness and concern for the nation exponentially. Mercifully, drug abuse in the middle class was proclaimed virtually extinct last month. (Not Francis J. Szollosi that our drug problems are over by any means, but we've come far since 1985 when drug use was at its zenith.) In the Feb. 18 edition of Newsweek, there is a story reporting that confidence in the military among citizens our age is at a high. Probably the greatest changes lie in the quest for racial harmony. Sure, "hate" crimes seem more prevalent, but behind the hype "by the media and true racists, is the post-Vietna- m assumption that prejudice and (iiscrimination aren't being tolerated anymore. Bravo! Find me another country where the desire for racial equality is pursued more vigorously and with the government's consent over the past 150 years! Let me comment on the war briefly: "War is tragic," Thucydides wrote in the 3rd century B.C., "but to submit to the dictation of other states is worse. Freedom, if we hold fast to it, will ultimately restore our losses, but submission will mean permanent loss of all that we value." Interestingly, he even takes a shot at the ancient anti-wfaction; "To you who call yourselves men of peace, I say: You are not safe unless you have men of action on your side." Harsh, ar Chronicle Guest Columnist yet more than a tad applicable to the present situation. The women and men of "action" and "peace" in 1991 share quite a salutatory trait, that is, respect and love for our brothers and sisters wearing the good uniform. Much can be made of the resurgence of this trait, having escaped the American psyche in the horrible Vietnam conflict. The logical progression of this sentiment is "Whether that policy is going to solve this country's problems, or this one, we will unite together in the bonds of patriotism and solve them." Sounds elementary, yet I'll wage that it has all but been forgotten in recent political memory. I had the historic opportunity to witness Congress debate the war, in person, back in the middle of January. The men and women on the floor wrote their own speeches, sincerely discussed all angles to this monster and voted by both their own analyses of the conflict, and the honest resoluteness that can only happen in a democracy such as ours. Everyone there felt the intensity of and the responsibility to history; emotions ranged from frantic confusion to supreme confidence. The eloquence and sympathy of debate was unprecedented in mine and many of their lifetimes. Walking out of the Capitol that Saturday afternoon, I knew that if Saddam didn't pull out, there would be a horribly destructive war, and that war would be right. I had my doubts, but as Voltaire said, "Doubt isn't a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd." President Bush couldn't be certain that sanctions would either succeed or fail, but you must admire the man for not waffling on his early August statement on the Iraqi invasion, "This will not stand." I also knew that there would be much for my generation to do to rebuild, not necessarily the Middle East, but ourselves and our country. "Ourselves and our country," that is how I think future historians will judge our generation. We the (new) people can achieve if we carefully study the founder's thoughts and actions while applying them to 21st century America. We should set out to embark on challenges like a national service, even a reasoned debate on the topic would be a fine start. We should listen to other folks opinions with critical respect, and look for other ways to form intelligent ideas on topics. (For instance, when a middle aged person condemns you for supporting the war because, "You're just a child," retort, "A central tenant of the'60's generation was not to trust anyone over 30. Do you mean the 60's campus protestors were ignorant children, too?") We should demand of our elected leaders, both on campus and off, -- honorable and responsive representation, and should demand stop to trivializing negative advertisements and single- - issue special interest groups. Yes, we a should get involved in politics, at the very least, seek readily available vote information and conscientiously. Father of the conservation effort. President Theodore Roosevelt once said, "As soon as any man says of the affairs of state, 'what does it matter to me?' the state may be given up as lost." Consider that carefully. If you dislike fragmented and divided government that can't seem to deal with the problems of society, then break the popular and disruptive cycle of split-tickvoting and, egads, vote straight-tickethereby creating a mandate for honest change. Francis J. Szollosi is a freshman majoring in mass communications. et t, Hest Sis if le fell xll? Thank you Utah Holiday magazine readers for naming The Training Table Restaurants, "The Best Of The Best," in a recent reader's Restaurant Poll.f grab your friends and come enjoy what many have said are Now the "best hamburgers in Utah." Imagine your varietiesfrom !(SQi choice of seventeen delicious, to our Green CM Burger the hearty to the one that made us famous... The Bleu Bacon Burger. hot Experience The Training Table's fresh, crisp salads, creamy versions soups and tasty sandwiches. ..includi ng three great tasting of And our special grilled chicken breast fillet. don't forget our great French fries and crispy onion rings... the possibies...at The Training Table! Imagine OPEN FOR LUNCH & DINNER 7 DAYS mEOUT HWNTMffl SALT LAKE A WEEK AVAILABLE KHALI HUMAY 6957 South State 4828 Highland Dr 809 East 4th So. (Creekside Place) 272-739- 355-752- fNovember, 989 Utah Holiday Readers' Restaurant Poll |
