Daylong forum examines Iraq from all sides

It’s all over the news and running through our minds. Are we going to war? And why? Dialogue on the issue is divisive and confusing; even our lawmakers don’t seem to have all the answers.

The Temple Issues Forum Debate and Discussion Club (TIF D&D) will present an all-day discussion series, titled “Invading Iraq: Preventing or Creating a Catastrophe,” today from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Shusterman Hall.

“The subtitle of this forum is not an exaggeration,” said speech communications professor Herb Simons. “Everyone acknowledges the risks of miscalculation.”

Like last year’s daylong forum on the September 11 attacks, the discussion series aims to illuminate and explicate concerns about the potential for war from all points of view. Experts will examine news media coverage and commentary, explore cases for and against invasion of Iraq, and assess projected consequences of imposed regime change.

At 10 a.m., Patricia Bradley of Temple’s journalism department will moderate an analysis of news media coverage and commentary by Dick Polman, political reporter/ analyst for the Philadelphia Inquirer; Daniel Chomsky, visiting professor of political science; and Mark Sacharoff, a professor emeritus of English and long-time peace activist.

Moderated by debate team co-captain Ndidi Anyaegbunam, the next panel, at 11:30 a.m., poses the question, “Has the case for invasion been convincingly made?”

Defending Bush’s strategy will be Jonathan Tobin, executive editor of the Jewish Exponent, and Col. Alan Stolberg of the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle. Opposing it are the political science department’s Craig Eisendrath and Joseph Schwartz.

At 1 p.m., panelists will focus on the aftermath of a possible invasion. Political science students and TIF D&D members Laura Handel and Chanel Dennis, who helped organize the event, will lead the discussion through topics such as regime change and nation-building.

Joining them in this discussion will be panelists Arthur Schmidt from the history department, and Joachim Rennstich from the political science department.

The event is open to the public and all students are encouraged to attend. After each panel presentation, the discussion will be opened to the audience, and from 2:30-4 p.m., the floor will be open for any questions or additional discussion.