My school newspaper did a "special" on the Iraqi war today. There was a girl with a "NO WAR" pin on her bag on the cover with the headline "INTERNATIONAL ISSUES INSPIRE ACTIVISM." Already one-sided. It went on to bullshit a discription of black history month. Then, two opposing articles: one pro-war, one anti-war. A few quotes from the anti-war one:
"As of yet, UN inspectors have found no signs of development of weapons of mass destruction...Many people question if we should go to war over a threat that we have no proof exists"
"People are also bothered by the religious connotation that has been given to the war" (Christians v Muslims)
"The war will cause more problems for Iraq than Saddam...Tremendous loss of life, an economic depression, and chaos as the government changes hands" then completely contradicts itself by saying "if it is nearly impossible for Iraqis to buy MILK right now, what will the effects of a war be?" How bout a drastically improved economy in the long run?
"Many believe [oil] to be the true motive behind the Bush administration's interest in war." and supports that statement with a quote from a British mayor: "This war is solely about oil. George Bush has never given a damn about human rights."
So they give a variety of bullshit arguments without citing any real sources. Congratulations, you just wrote the worst article I've ever read.
The paper then covered "The Road to Peace", aka the anti-war demonstrations (ahem), then "Words or War?" complete with an American flag with anti-war headlines of the local newspaper in the stripes and pictures of students wearing headbands with peace signs on them.
Count that up, one pro-war article (and the writer chose to remain anonymous because of harassment he/she would face from anti-war folks) and 4 pages of anti-war arguments. Then they interviewed students around school... Make sure you're sitting down.
"If we go to war with anyone, it should be with North Korea to disarm them."
"Saddam Hussein needs to disarm, but war is not the answer."
"I have a cousin who could possibly be drafted, and an uncle who is in the army."
"I'm in between. I don't want anyone to be forced to fight [draft] and killed."
"Possible war does affect us, especially if they were to reinstate the draft."
"I know several people that are extremely close to me who are top candidates to be summoned and it scares me to no end."
So this proves that the paper is incredibly biased and showed quotes of some of the most ignorant and uninformed people in the school, yet they neglect to ask anyone who's pro-war who's informed.
