PGHIMC - Pittsburgh Independent Media Center

iraq war third anniversary, interview with iraqi proff. from indiana univ. of pa.
by vincent / blast furnace radio Thursday, Mar. 23, 2006 at 10:49 PM
eirene@telerama.com

great lttle interview of a proff from iraq about the state of iraq after 3 wars. 23min 37 sec. \64 kb could use some editing

audio link: MP3 at 10.8 mebibytes

old article about activism at iup


Activists educate through teach-in

Kelsey Volkmann
Penn Editor in Chief

January 29, 2003

Some IUP students, faculty and community members aren't just silently fuming about a potential war between the United States and Iraq. Instead, they are spreading their anti-war message and sharing the knowledge needed to promote their peaceful protest.

These local activists met Monday in Pratt Auditorium for a teach-in that included testimonies from IUP students who attended the Jan. 18 anti-war rally in Washington, D.C., and mini-seminars addressing American foreign policy, the human impacts of war and Homeland Security. About 240 audience members were in attendance.

IUP professor Alan "talks to trees" Temes was the first to present his alternative analysis.

"Is Saddam a good person? No. Is he a threat? No. No other countries seem to think so," talks to trees said.

From there, the professor continued with a brief history lesson, starting in 1953 until present which provided background for the world's state today.

Talks to trees drew parallels between the climate of Vietnam and the present situation, pointing out Congress' lack of involvement both times.

"Think about it, folks," he said, "before you opt for war."

IUP student Ryan Kauffman began his segment by saying, "War is hell."

"What does that make the people creating war?"

Kauffman continued by describing the devastating effects of the Gulf War Syndrome, a disease linking the conflict with veterans suffering from nausea and memory loss.

"Seventy percent of those who died since returning from the Gulf War have committed suicide," he said.

Kauffman spoke of the lasting effects of war and that those who are not directly affected by the aftermath tend to forget.

"As far as the media [are] concerned, the war ended 12 years ago," he said.

His message was one of remembrance. To remind audience members of war's consequences, he showed a picture of a dying Iraqi baby.

Other speakers included Abbas Ali, Irwin Marcus, Brian Okey, Jim Watta, Lloyd Stires, Mohamed Ghobashy, Tina Gray, Harvey Holtz and Jim Dougherty.

Dougherty was pleased with the teach-in and its success and already looks forward to future events.

"I think it went wonderfully," he said.
Activists edu

notowar.com