Joiner Center Sponsors Address by Congressman Frank Speaking on War

By Leigh DuPuy

"A year of inspections…cost less than one day of war," said Barney Frank in his address to concerned members of the university community on February 21. The congressman, representing the Fourth Congressional District of Massachusetts, discussed the politics surrounding a possible war against Iraq in an address sponsored by the William Joiner Center for the Study of War and Social Consequences.

Displaying a temerity for which he is well known, Frank opened discussion by explaining why he believes the current administration is being dishonest with the American people. He disagrees with both rationales for a war against Iraq; it will neither stimulate the economy nor put an end to a serious threat to the United States. s

Instead he discusses what he believes to be the motivating worldview of the Bush administration in which "America owes the world a muscular, assertive presence." Aggressive unilaterism is critically important to Bush and his presidency, Frank explains, noting the philosophical similarities between the president and Ronald Reagan.

While agreeing with assessments of Saddam Hussein's brutality, Frank believes there are other ways to restrain him than going to war. "The Iraqi military has one-third the strength it had in 1991. Their capacity has been diminished. This is not a ‘war or nothing' situation."

To those who say Hussein has provided supplies to terrorists, Frank replies that there is zero evidence that the Iraqi leader has transferred any destructive material to terrorists.

"It is a political climate that has changed drastically as the average American is frightened in a way they haven't been since the darkest days of World War II," Frank said.

Frank believes only sustained intervention, such as continued inspections, will help assuage the situation in Iraq. "Episodic political interventions are doomed to fail," Frank said.

The congressman answered various question and answers from the riveted audience and offered his opinion of the efficacy of recent peace marches throughout the country. "Demonstrations in themselves do not mean much to elected officials, though they do help to empower, energize, and organize public opinion." He advised people to write to their elected official, threatening to take away their vote if he or she does not heed public protest.

Image: Frank has been a member of Congress since 1981 and currently serves on teh Select Committe on Homeland Security (Photo by Harry Brett)

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