2008 Woodie Awards
Letter to the Editor
Issue date: 2/25/08 Section: Opinions
Dear editor,
As the war in Iraq enters its sixth year on Mar. 20, everyone should reflect on the continuing American occupation. The surge has become an escalation as we learn that troop draw downs have been postponed indefinitely. Though the majority of Americans continue to be against the continued occupation, we struggle to find ways to end it. Especially as students, we find it hard to believe that we can do anything to end the war. But using the idiom, think globally, act locally, we can realize that there are ways to help bring this war to end here on our own campus.
One main way is to struggle against UIC's complicity in the war machine, a machine that includes recruiters for the war and research for the increased power of weapons: for example, the research being done by Prof. Erricolo with Raytheon Missile Systems. As with all research, this research could be used for other purposes, yet with Raytheon as a corporate partner, it is obvious that the ultimate goal of this research is to improve missile targeting technology. The grant for this war research is set to expire in June. Students for a Democratic Society (sds) at UIC is calling that the grant not be renewed. Ending this research, in addition to dozens of similar ongoing campaigns across the country, will help to end the war.
Do your part to end war. Speak out against war research at UIC. Join us in protest on the anniversary of the war. On Mar. 19, the anti-war movement on campus will rally in the Quad. Later that day we'll march to the city-wide rally at Federal Plaza in the Loop. Then on Mar. 20, we'll protest against war research on campus, gathering in the Quad at 12:30 p.m.
Ryan Donnelly
UIC Students for a Democratic Society
uic-sds@yahoo.com
As the war in Iraq enters its sixth year on Mar. 20, everyone should reflect on the continuing American occupation. The surge has become an escalation as we learn that troop draw downs have been postponed indefinitely. Though the majority of Americans continue to be against the continued occupation, we struggle to find ways to end it. Especially as students, we find it hard to believe that we can do anything to end the war. But using the idiom, think globally, act locally, we can realize that there are ways to help bring this war to end here on our own campus.
One main way is to struggle against UIC's complicity in the war machine, a machine that includes recruiters for the war and research for the increased power of weapons: for example, the research being done by Prof. Erricolo with Raytheon Missile Systems. As with all research, this research could be used for other purposes, yet with Raytheon as a corporate partner, it is obvious that the ultimate goal of this research is to improve missile targeting technology. The grant for this war research is set to expire in June. Students for a Democratic Society (sds) at UIC is calling that the grant not be renewed. Ending this research, in addition to dozens of similar ongoing campaigns across the country, will help to end the war.
Do your part to end war. Speak out against war research at UIC. Join us in protest on the anniversary of the war. On Mar. 19, the anti-war movement on campus will rally in the Quad. Later that day we'll march to the city-wide rally at Federal Plaza in the Loop. Then on Mar. 20, we'll protest against war research on campus, gathering in the Quad at 12:30 p.m.
Ryan Donnelly
UIC Students for a Democratic Society
uic-sds@yahoo.com
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 3
Kevin Schneider
posted 2/25/08 @ 1:47 PM CST
Ryan,
Any research done with companies like Raytheon yields important scientific achievements. Can't you see that any technological advance can be used for any purpose? UIC is an education and reserach facility. (Continued…)
ryanfromsds
posted 2/25/08 @ 6:58 PM CST
Kevin,
I see you spend a good deal of your time on this website attacking people. Probably sitting in a hopefully nice and comfortable armchair. I also don't have a basement, sorry. (Continued…)
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