By Zubin Bagai
In today's politically charged world, it is extremely hard to differentiate between all the different spins. News media has come under much scrutiny as of late, as it has been seen as becoming extremely polarized. Thus, it could be said that we live in a fog; where we have an idea of what is in front of us, but we really are not sure.
The U.S. political system is a representative democracy, or a republic. In this system, elected officials represent the interests of their constituents. However, because of information being sensitive, and lack of access to war zones like Iraq, it is duty of these representatives to use this special knowledge to make decisions for us, based upon our values.
However, this system is flawed from the top down. When our representatives give false information to their constituents, they essentially manipulate the public into a false sense of reality. Thus, if the war in Iraq is seen as progressing smoothly, where change for the better is happening, the public will be support the effort and allow the government to operate as it desires.
A Senator returned from the Iraq war zone, claiming that walking through the market was like strolling through a market back home. Mock media like the "Daily Show" and "Colbert Report" jumped on the ridiculousness of such a statement immediately.
The solution to this problem is that we as actors in this country need to listen to those who have been there; those who have no agenda, but to educate. One such person is Phil Lynch, who headed the team of U.S. attorneys that aided in the Saddam Hussein trail. A man who is said to be an embodiment of the "American Dream": A poor kid who excelled in the top of his high school, to continue on with an amazing college career at West Point. Today, he is a successful attorney for the Department of Justice.
He has been characterized as a generous person who has a genuine concern for human beings. For example, Phil Lynch will be giving a lecture on campus next week on his experiences in Iraq and the Saddam Hussein trial, which he is doing pro bono, that means free!
Lynch will be able to provide first hand experience about the state of Iraq in the early years of the war, such as explaining the conflicts that erupted. Many have wondered why this war has gone so badly, and the simple answer is, because this shit is complicated! It my hope that access to person such as Phil Lynch, a person who is here to educate, with no personal agenda, a person who has experienced being escorted by armed military guard, will give me a clearer perspective on the world.
Phil Lynch will be speaking on Wednesday Nov. 7, 2007, 7:30 p.m., BC 310.
Zubin Bagai is a senior electrical engineering and philosophy major
