About 25 students and community members attended a forum held Wednesday at Memorial Union to discuss the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11. UW-Madison political science Professor Donald Downs and local historian and activist Dr. Allen Ruff engaged in a formal debate over the U.S. military response and other possible, more effective steps that could be taken.
In his opening statements, Ruff emphasized the importance for America to look at the history which provoked the events of Sept. 11. He criticized the U.S. government for not properly informing its citizens of this longstanding history.
\Our national leadership has given us nothing but the most simple explanations, but it is important, when placing blame, to acquire the historical facts,"" Ruff said.
Ruff said if Americans knew this history, they wouldn't so avidly support military action.
""I would contend, if the government were to give us a real analysis of the situation, then public opinion and support would quickly erode,"" Ruff said.
Downs said the U.S. military action is both necessary and appropriate.
""The American scope of actions against Afghanistan is valid and proper,"" Downs said. ""Unfortunately sometimes war is necessary and justifiable as long as it is waged correctly.""
A panel of six UW-Madison students, however, expressed concerns that war is not the proper solution.
""I am not a pacifist,"" Ruff said in response. ""The question here is can a military solution be the solution to terrorism. A military attack on a place like Afghanistan will ensure the continuation of the cycle of state aggression, retaliation and retaliation, etc.""
Each speaker was then asked what he thought would be the best way for the United States to proceed. Downs, said he felt this to be a war of self-defense, and said it is necessary for us to use military and civil tactics.
""It is imperative that we wage this battle on as many fronts as possible. This is partly going to be a battle to win the minds in the Muslim world,"" Downs said.
Ruff said that he thinks it is more important for the United States to address the root problems causing the attacks. Ruff addressed several issues, including arms trades in the Middle East and lack of cooperation with international laws, as areas to which the United States needs to look to truly end terrorism. Military action, he emphasized, will neither be an effective response to this event nor will it end all terrorism in the world.
