UD Shows its True Colors, Brings in Iraq Expert
Bennett Rawicki
Issue date: 11/13/07 Section: Commentary
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In the aftermath of a week rife with controversy over the visit by Cindy Sheehan, the foundation of UD has not changed. Tensions flared and emotions ran high, but outside the online battlefield of Facebook posts and school-wide emails UD held true to its core belief in the merits of reasoned discussion. And unfortunately, most of the school missed it.
Academic freedom shined Thursday, from the Art Village. The remnants of the enthralled crowds from earlier in the day took their seats to consider the Iraq War with the help of an expert on foreign policy, Dr. John Lenczowski. Dr. Lenczowski's credentials needed no questioning: he served as President Reagan's advisor on Soviet affairs and founded a premier foreign policy graduate school in Washington, D.C.
With insightful analysis he delved into the failings of Iraq War policy, explaining that the U.S. came in with only a military strategy and forgot the importance of political tactics. The disregard for an ideological battle in Iraq left many Iraqis ignorant on American intentions in their country. Dr. Lenczowski exposed that many Iraqis thought the U.S. military was an invading instead of a liberating army for almost a year. This example and the lack of understanding of how to deal with the tribal and religious differences have created a situation of political gridlock in Iraq.
Dr. Lenczowski proposed that America change its definition of victory in Iraq to one of military ends, and then leave. No one in attendance marched out in disgust at the professor's departure from the Bush Administration's "stay the course" policy. The UD students acted as expected when faced with an opposing viewpoint: consider it thoughtfully and wait to ask questions.
The speech continued, stating that a military solution seems the only achievable objective if more aggressive political tactics are not employed. The political tactics suggested ranged from financing moderate Muslim magazines that advance freedom and peace, to educational campaigns teaching Iraqis about the benefits of their new government, to changing the terms used to describe terrorists. Dr. Lenczowski explained that even just the alteration of the term jihadist with its connotation of martyr to the Arabic word for wrongdoer (mujrim) would have a profound effect on the romanticized view a suicide bomber.
The enlightening talk concluded with an extended question session where any student could stand up and directly ask the speaker to clarify his views. This free flow of questions and answers allowed for true exploration of the Iraq War issue, and Dr. Lenczowski's eloquent responses furthered the educational atmosphere.
This open discussion on the Iraq War imparted a glow on those in attendance which will shine longer than any controlled, flash in the pan event. True knowledge was garnered on Thursday, like a nugget of pure gold hidden in a pile of pyrite. University of Dallas is that pure gold in the hollow world of higher education, and events like Dr. Lenczowski's solidify its value.
Academic freedom shined Thursday, from the Art Village. The remnants of the enthralled crowds from earlier in the day took their seats to consider the Iraq War with the help of an expert on foreign policy, Dr. John Lenczowski. Dr. Lenczowski's credentials needed no questioning: he served as President Reagan's advisor on Soviet affairs and founded a premier foreign policy graduate school in Washington, D.C.
With insightful analysis he delved into the failings of Iraq War policy, explaining that the U.S. came in with only a military strategy and forgot the importance of political tactics. The disregard for an ideological battle in Iraq left many Iraqis ignorant on American intentions in their country. Dr. Lenczowski exposed that many Iraqis thought the U.S. military was an invading instead of a liberating army for almost a year. This example and the lack of understanding of how to deal with the tribal and religious differences have created a situation of political gridlock in Iraq.
Dr. Lenczowski proposed that America change its definition of victory in Iraq to one of military ends, and then leave. No one in attendance marched out in disgust at the professor's departure from the Bush Administration's "stay the course" policy. The UD students acted as expected when faced with an opposing viewpoint: consider it thoughtfully and wait to ask questions.
The speech continued, stating that a military solution seems the only achievable objective if more aggressive political tactics are not employed. The political tactics suggested ranged from financing moderate Muslim magazines that advance freedom and peace, to educational campaigns teaching Iraqis about the benefits of their new government, to changing the terms used to describe terrorists. Dr. Lenczowski explained that even just the alteration of the term jihadist with its connotation of martyr to the Arabic word for wrongdoer (mujrim) would have a profound effect on the romanticized view a suicide bomber.
The enlightening talk concluded with an extended question session where any student could stand up and directly ask the speaker to clarify his views. This free flow of questions and answers allowed for true exploration of the Iraq War issue, and Dr. Lenczowski's eloquent responses furthered the educational atmosphere.
This open discussion on the Iraq War imparted a glow on those in attendance which will shine longer than any controlled, flash in the pan event. True knowledge was garnered on Thursday, like a nugget of pure gold hidden in a pile of pyrite. University of Dallas is that pure gold in the hollow world of higher education, and events like Dr. Lenczowski's solidify its value.
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