I do not consider myself a Democrat, a Republican or a liberal. I’m plain American, and I am very proud to be so, thank you very much.
I vouch for those who represent the best for this country, and yes I admit, I rooted for President Bush to be our representative. But as all this pales in comparison to war, I have hence lost my trust in him.
There is, however, one thing I keep close to my heart, and that is my constitutional right to express my opinion without fear of reprimand. Or so I thought.
My column two weeks ago regarding a comedian’s quip against President Bush apparently caused a stir. But far from opening a barrage against a particular reader, who, too, has a right to express his opinion, I will instead try to defend myself. This time I will not use the guise of a comedian’s act; I will defend my opinion about Bush and war to this reader in as direct a way as possible.
My parents struggled long and hard to bring their son and daughter to a country full of opportunities unlike their native poor and corrupt land what we Americans refer to as a third world country the Philippines. They taught me to love this country, to embrace the abundant freedoms available here. They could have opted to take advantage of government assistance. Instead, they worked hard, long hours, refusing government aid. Although we never became rich by any standards, I was taught to appreciate the fact that a potato farmer in America can become president if he so wished. Of course, in reality, the financial aspect of politics would prevent this, and so I am left to choose between power-driven candidates who only represent a portion of the population.
Still I make do, and so I chose to support President Bush. I had hoped, however, that war would be far from my daily worries, but of course every family shares ideals, and apparently war is a subject that springs up a lot in the Bush family.
Now I have more at stake – I have more than five close family members involved in the military, one of whom is my brother. So I prayed that Bush would have the consideration to make wise decisions – for the sake of affected families.
I understand that going to war is one of the most serious decisions a president can make. However, I fail to see how Bush can think war to be the first and final decision in our fight against terrorism. I thought war was supposed to be a last resort. Can anyone honestly say that Bush has looked at other options beside the U.N. inspections?
And if Bush is so set in striving for justice for 9/11’s sake, despite Bush’s claims, there has been no proven link between Hussein and al Qaeda, then why are we only pinpointing against Hussein? What about North Korea? What about all the other countries that hate us?
This war against terrorism will never end, even if we do “win” another war, because there will always be other scarier, stronger dictators forcing presidents to come up with the same decision. And while we are here ratting against Bush, other third world countries are wondering what we are complaining about; they go through war everyday. And who can we say is to blame?
So while I continue to pay $80 for an expensive comedian, I hope you will forgive me for feeling so helpless and concerned. I long for the days when presidential men will cease corruption and the struggle to be all-powerful, and when women will be equally regarded. Maybe then my father will not be so brokenhearted if I join the war, because as you see, it beats worrying like hell back at home. (This may be hypocritical, but I am not a coward; I have proudly sent my brother off because I know war has no longer become just an option. I’d rather fight beside him then cower behind my president whose own daughters continue to pay for happiness in a bottle of beer.)
And no matter how much you laugh at my reasoning, I will continue to pray for this country to return to the ideals upon which it was founded. If the pursuit of happiness is not to your liking, I will instead pray for freedom from war. Maybe then we could stop worrying about who will strike first.
Jaclyn Roco, a senior journalism major, is editor in chief of the Campus Times. She can be reached by e-mail at rocojax@yahoo.com.
