OCR Text |
Show Views&Op inion Page 12 FROM THE LEFT, Page 11 Monday, Oct. 31, 2011 FROM THE RIGHT, Page 11 rate soldiers — or mercenaries — from American firms such as Xe will continue in Iraq. American troops will still be stationed in the Muslim holy land of Saudi Arabia, home of the holy city of Mecca, which was a reason for the 9/11 attacks. The quagmire of Afghanistan still continues as the longest conflict in which America has been involved. Moreover, "all options are on the table," to use the President's words regarding Iran, as the war hawks eagerly await another round. This questions remains in the back of every person's mind: Should we leave before the country is completely stabilized? Let's not forget the war was a sham from the beginning, and we should not be there in the first place. America cannot be the world's policeman. Our Constitution does not allow it, we cannot afford it and our military meddling in the affairs of other countries breeds resentment and hatred from the people whose lands we occupy. It leads to what the CIA terms "blowback," or unintended negative consequences. The same people who tell us it is a mistake to pull out are the same people who told us that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction, that he supported al-Qaida and predicted the Iraq War would be a "cakewalk," according to Bush's adviser Kenneth Adelman. What makes us think we should believe them now? — Andrew Izatt is a sophomore majoring in religious studies. Comments can be sent to him at andrew.izatt@aggiemaiLusu.edu. of their still-broken country? I believe we are still liable for much of what happens in Iraq. Obama himself recently requested the Iraqi government allow U.S. troops to stay through New Year's and continue stability operations. He knows that complete withdrawal is not ideal for either Iraq or the U.S., so why did he back off his request? He's up for re-election and knows the constituency wants out. Politicians are at our mercy, and unfortunately we refuse to acknowledge the mess we made. Much of the instability that Iraq is currently facing can, in part, be traced back to the carelessness of the U.S. military under the Bush administration. After negligently leaving the door open for insurgents by araie it 4eria( ar(de it diniefeil erild‘4* one 4we(7 930 N. Main Logan, Ut 435.753.9755 You have seen our CARS! Have you seen our DIAMONDS? ( ; not securing Iraq's borders, we might as well have sent opposing forces personal invitations when we completely disbanded the state's military and police forces, kicking 300,000 Iraqis to the curb. My faith in the ability of current Iraqi peacekeeping forces to maintain control is shaky, at best. Since it's our mess they are left to grapple with, we are responsible for seeing that Iraq's forces succeed. This is not to say we should impose ourselves upon them if we aren't wanted. Insisting that we stay, even when we have been asked to leave, would only add to the aura of imperialism that unfortunately surrounds the U.S. at the moment. I do, however, feel very strongly that we should con- tinue to aid Iraqi forces in whatever areas they need. Whether it's financing, arms, training or logistical and technical support, we should assist the transitioning nation however they allow us. If there comes a time when additional men are needed, we should go back. It is a common opinion in the U.S. that what happens beyond our borders is of no concern to us; I find this to be foolish and extremely short-sighted. The world is a much bigger place than we comprehend; the least we can do is pick up our trash. — Mike Burnham is a junior majoring in international relations and economics. Comments can be sent to him at mike.bumham@gmail.com . - FROM ASUSU VIEW, Page 11 GSS is a necessary group for graduate students We have designated funds for fall and spring semesters — first come, first serve — for students to travel to academic conferences. Students must be first or second author on the presentation, as funding is limited. What funding is available should support first and second authors who put the most effort into the research being presented. Importantly, students must apply for funds prior to traveling. It is recommended to apply at least one month before traveling to ensure there will be funds available and your application will be processed in a timely manner. Funds of up to $300 are available up to two times for master's students and up to three times for doctoral students, during the course of your academic career at USU. Research and Projects Grants applications are currently being accepted for fall semester until Nov. 4. This grant is specifically designated for graduate students who are not able to secure grant funding through other means and are in need of funds to purchase materials, etc. Funds do not cover stipends or traveling for data collection, and applications including these items may not be considered for final review. Funding up to $1,000 can be awarded. Applications are evaluated based on scholarly merit and the impact the research will have on society; applications are reviewed by the GSS vice president for Research and a committee of several GSS senators. Enhancement Awards are another type of financial service offered by the GSS. This award is unique, as it is not a research or travel grant. The purpose of this award is to enhance the quality of life of graduate students and thus logically increase their ability to succeed, while recognizing their outstanding contributions. These awards are based on scholarly merit, student involvement and demonstrated financial need. Enhancement Awards total $4,000 for each student selected. The Intermountain Graduate Research Symposium (IGRS) is held annually at USU and is a place for graduate students to present their research at a regional conference promoting a friendly academic environment. This year, IGRS is scheduled for April 5-6, 2012. Graduate students will be judged on their presentation and will be provided an opportunity to review feedback in order to improve their skills and abilities. First and second place winners in each conference session will receive a designated prize. As IGRS is a two-day conference, students have the opportunity to attend multiple sessions and seminars. A small registration fee will be assessed of $25, but it is recommended that graduate students check with their departments and/or advisers to see if this fee can be covered. As you can see, GSS is a valuable and important resource for graduate students on campus. Make sure to connect with the GSS Senator for your college — they are there to serve you. — Kimberlee Taylor is the vice president of research for the Graduate Student Senate. Comments about this column can be sent to statesmanoffice@aggiemaiLusu.edu. THINK YOU'RE A PENNY PINCHER? WATCH AND LEARN. WHO WILL BE THE ULTIMATE CHEAPSTER? Watch our new online video series premiering November 8, 2011 to see the crazy and creative ways that people save money. Ten contestants from Utah and Idaho will put their penny-pinching skills to the test. Only one will win the Cheapster title and the $10,000 grand prize. SEE WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT AT FACEBOOK.COM/CHEAPSTER.TV. Ela J . • TM PRESENTED BY ZIONS BANK® Member FDIC |