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Show AggieLife Wednesday, April 14, 2010 Page 7 Reflections: The reality of the War on Terror ar? What war? Who has time to worry about at Qaeda when your home is in foreclosure, the AIG guy stole your bonus money for himself and grandma has no health insurance? How about rising college tuition? I'm sure we all identify there. Daily, the American population is reminded by necessity of the struggles it currently faces: the recession, a partisan Congress, the collapse of many American industries (including newspapers) and, of course, the exquisite health care mess. I would argue, however, that very few of us are reminded daily of the reality that we are in two extremely expensive wars in the overseas countries of Iraq and Afghanistan. Can you point out these countries on the map? Your answer may tell you how far removed you really are. Do you know the U.S. casualties? Same thing applies. So I think many of us would agree the war(s) are not on our personal agenda - of course when I say us, I include all U.S. lawmakers. But they should be. W Here's why: U.S. casualties in Afghanistan since the 2001 invasion: 952. U.S. casualties in Iraq since the 2001 invasion: 4,394. Total cost of the Iraq War: $860 billion. The U.S. predicted deficit for 2010: $1.35 trillion. Perhaps Congress thought it could call 1800-debt-relief when it agreed to the war. Oh, right we did call! China sure has our back. Why the war in Afghanistan isn't working: Besides that the U.S. cannot financially afford the wars, the bigger question looms large: is it actually working? I am not a war general, nor the president, nor a soldier. However, I am a citizen who has done my research. I say the war is not working, and it is not a necessity. Afghanistan is a tribal state. It always has been. It has been occupied by Russia, Britain and now the U.S. We cannot change the minds of the people of these countries with coercion. Ultimately, they must decide the kind of country they want. As Americans, I think we falsely base our idea of the U.S. as liberators in all situations from our history. But Iraq and Afghanistan have their own history and perceptions. They see us as an occupier, not a liberator. No matter how well-intentioned we are, the complexity of the situation married to the fact that we kill civilians does not paint us as liberators. We cannot win the trust and foster hope of the people with firepower. In fact, we drive many to join al Qaeda. If al Qaeda isn't seen as the occupiers and we are, "Houston, we have a problem." According to Barber, every time we kill a civilian in the Middle East, we create 10 new terrorists. I am not a mathematician, but those are some overwhelming odds. A wonderful analogy was given by Barber: "It's like an elephant who goes into a chicken house where there's a fox loose, and he thrashes around to kill the fox, and he may even get the fox in the end, but half the chickens are dead when he's done. You can't have an elephant there." I do think that the situation calls for action, but firepower only fuels the problem. Of course I do not believe we should have turned our backs after the 9/11 attack. However, was invasion the best option? I believe the war on terror can be more successfully fought in other ways besides militancy. Alternatives to militancy: Many, if not all, of the things I suggest are being implemented in the invaded countries. However, when Westerners are the implementers, and Westerners are the militant occupiers, it is hard to create trust and a positive image of the non-military do-gooders. Winning the trust of the people is more than any firepower can accomplish. Education: I believe that this should be the No. 1 priority in these countries. The total adult literacy rate in Afghanistan is 28 percent. Primary school attendance is 61 percent. The gross national income (this reflects the average income of a country's citizens) for Afghanistan is $250. Education will do two important things: first, it will provide people more opportunities, a better income and a more secure life, and I believe less people will have reason to join al Qaeda. Secondly, educating the people on their rights as humans, the propaganda used by terrorists, and they will learn empathy for themselves by learning of the reality of their situation. The empowerment of education is real and life-changing, and is the way to bring enlightenment to the people of Iraq and Afghanistan. Women's rights: Afghanistan has a terrible track record of humanitarian rights for women. The youth female literacy rate is 18 percent. The prevalence of contraceptives is 10 percent. Secondary education attendance for females is a mere 33 percent. Honor killings are still prevalent. The U.S. News and World Report reported in 2008 that since 2003, nearly 50 women have conducted suicide attacks in Iraq. These things are unacceptable. Until the women of Iraq and Afghanistan receive their humanitarian rights, these countries will not be at peace. Women's rights must be part of the education process. Humanitarian aid: There are few resources for the people, including water. Twenty-two percent of Afghanis use improved drinking water sources, and 30 percent of the population uses improved sanitation facilities. Life expectancy in Afghanistan is 44 years. Children less than 5 years old suffering moderately to severely low weight is 39 percent. I believe a healthy population can better mentally and physically fight extremists. Rather than putting our millions of dollars into military money, we should be putting it solely into humanitarian aid. The U.S. promise: If we are attacked (which we hope to high heaven isn't the case) again, the U.S. needs to make clear we will strike hard and fast at the heart of al Qaeda in defense (not retaliation, key here). Pacifism is not realistic in such extreme situations, as many realize, like President Obama. The news industry (aside from a few resources) needs to step up the quantity and the intensity of the coverage. The American public needs to hound the hell out of Congress. Congress needs to get its Vaudeville act together and reduce troops and costs asap. The Pentagon needs to quit pretending they are Domo Arigato, and they have a secret they've been hiding and come clean about the reality of the war (like their extremely modest estimate of the Afghanistan War, $156 billion, I am kind). And President Obama, God bless his most-likely overwrought heart, needs to quit sending troops overseas! Perhaps, we need to re-evaluate our perception as a whole country: forget the Iraqi's and Afghani's changing their mind about us, maybe we need to change our mind about them. As one genius once said, "Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex and more violent. It takes a touch of genius - and a lot of courage - to move in the opposite direction." - Albert Einstein Storee Powell is the senior features writer. Questions or comments can be made at www.aggietownsquare. com. HiFi Diaries showcases talent Friday on the Quad By KELLYN ANDERSON staff writer This Friday, USU students will have the opportunity to hear one of Logan's local bands perform live on the Quad. HiFi Diaries began in 2005, and although other members have come and gone, the band's founder, Chris Jordan, has kept the music going. Self-trained pianist and songwriter, Jordan writes and records his own music, including HiFi Diaries No. 1 hit, "For What It's Worth," which had 8,000 hits on YouTube in the first two weeks. The band normally only performs its own music but will be branching out with some covers this weekend. Selections from Muse, Kings of Leon, and a variety of self-written music will hit the stage, and hopefully give the students a sense of the bands' style. Jordan not only wants to reach the hearts of the students, but put a new twist on an old technique. "I would classify us as piano rock, if that's a style," Jordan says. The band will be performing at noon on Friday, but except for Jordan, the members are temporary. Even though they are leaving Logan this summer, they have enjoyed learning the music and playing together. Aaron Gumucio, senior in graphic design, has known Jordan mutually through the Guitar Club and says it's been fun to jam together. "My favorite part is that I can write my own parts to those Chris has already written. Hove spicing it up," he says. Gumucio also believes in the reality of the few bands that become famous, but still has great goals. "I want to play every show like it's the last chance I'll get," he says. Jordan hasn't had much time to work with the band members but isn't worried. The band gets together to practice every chance they get, but with hectic schedules, it gets a little crazy. "The guys are super talented, so it's been great so far," Jordan says. Jordan has had a lot of time to practice his stage presence, including opening for Kalai, Sherwood and Ryan Shupe. Jordan markets heavily with college students and also has a following on YouTube. He is confident in his abilities, but enjoys all the feedback he can get from listeners. "Come support your local band, you won't be sorry," Jordan said. Jordan started playing piano at a friend's house in fifth grade when he was bored. When he showed interest in piano, his mother got him into piano lessons, but he fought the teachers every time. Not understanding the "rules" of music, he would improvise on every song he could. Jordan did not understand why he would want to play someone else's music when he could play what was in his head, so he taught himself to play by ear, and went to work on his writing. Now he has written dozens of songs, including hits like "For What It's Worth," "I Heart You" and, a favorite of many followers, "The Stagecoach Letters." Jordan is currently working on a second music video for his song "Whatcha Gonna Do," putting even more time and effort into it than the first one. The first video has a huge demographic, has fans on every continent and is still getting hits on YouTube. This new video is projected to widen that demographic even farther, and will hopefully spur into a full-blown album. Jordan got the inspiration for his first 12 songs from a bad breakup years ago, but writes happy songs as well as sad. "I know it sounds cliché to write music from a breakup, but honestly, life is a cliché," he says. Bikes: Club making its debut continued from page 5 fied they are, not because they're "riding around with chains" and they're going to "whack you if you don't respect" them. When they pass, he wants people to say, "There goes the Aggie Angels." Everyone is welcome to join. They are not discriminatory toward any bike, as long as it has a motor. Even faculty, staff and people from the community can join. "The whole point of the club is to create unity ... here at USU and hopefully in the community," he said. The primary task of the club is to ride together. "I ride my motorcycle a lot alone, and it's not as exhilarating as it is riding with a group. It's kind of addicting. It's like a high," Crossen said. The Aggie Angels are planning their first ride for May 1, and they will be going around Cache County and then grabbing some steaks and fries to eat afterwards. They also plan to ride during the summer, and in the fall they plan to do a charity ride called the Teddy Bear Run. "The Teddy Bear Run is kind of fun," Crossen said. "Everyone puts a teddy bear on the back of their motorcycles, and stuffed animals." He said everyone pays $2 to go on the ride, and all the money is donated to a charity. The run is pretty common in places around the U.S. If you want to be a part of the action, just e-mail the Aggie Angels at aamc@aggiemail.usu.edu . They will be having their opening social April 17. -i.buddaaniemaiLusu.edu LOCAL BAND HIFI DIARIES will be performing at noon on the Quad this Friday. The band normally only performs its own music but will be performing some covers during the event. CODY GOCHNOUR photo In addition to tackling his songwriting, Chris also balances a job in marketing, finishing the house he built and building parts and designs for his auto design company. "Someday I hope to devote more time to the band, really get the word out there. But right now, there's so many things going on in life," he said. A huge supporter of HiFi Diaries, and long time friend Brad Neumann believes in the band's potential. "They've got catchy stuff. It's so easy for their music to get stuck in my head, and then I can sing it all day," he says. Pie Rush illeditesday With students reaching the last leg on the semester journey, some time to get away from classes and relax is extremely helpful for studying, and "Day on the Quad" is the perfect way to get the motivation to pull through these last few weeks. HiFi Diaries encourages students to come enjoy food, relaxation, and great music. The band energetically believes in the power of the students, and especially in the power of music. -kellyn.anderson@aggiemaiLusu.edu NEW RESTAURANT Get a FREE slice of fruit or Pie Rush Wednesday' seasonal pie with any purchase.* SAME GREAT FOOD *Free slice of double crust fruit or seasonal pie with any purchase. Dine-in only from 10AM-10PM on Wednesdays. Limited time only. One slice per person per purchase per visit. Valid only at participating restaurants. Not vailid with Sized Right, Price Right, Early Dinner Deals or Pick Three VI Speical. Not vaild with other offers, promotions, or discounts. Tax and gratuity not included. FREE Entre e 4r tz4, with the purchase of a second entree and two beverages Must purchase two adult entrees and two beverages to receive free entree. Not valid with other offers, promotions, discounts or with early Dinner Deals menu items. Not valid with Pie Rush Wednesday. One coupon per person per visit. 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