COLUMN Vermont Views Fear of War Strikes a Chord Close to Home

Author: Liz Lathey

In light of the protests at Ari Fleischer's talk at Mead Chapel, the prospect of a war with Iraq is on everyone's mind. The state of Vermont, with its typically liberal attitude, seems to have a definitively anti-war stance, as proven by the fact that all three of its representatives in Congress voted against a resolution that would allow President George W. Bush to take military action in Iraq if he deems it necessary.
As a Vermonter, I hold many of the same views as much of the state — that a war is not in the best interests of the United States. However, due to our relatively small contingent of representatives in the Congress, it is difficult for Vermonters to make their opinions heard. Nonetheless, this does not stop them from speaking their minds.
Vermonters with whom I have spoken have all been vehemently anti-war, which I have noticed to be a trend in people's opinions from other parts of the country as well. It seems, perhaps, that the liberal opinions of Vermonters are spreading to the rest of the country, as so much opposition to a war has come forth.
If there is a war with Iraq, no doubt there will be protests against it in this state as well as in others. War does not seem to be something that is very popular right now. I have not heard anyone give support for the war, whether their views are typically liberal or conservative. And it is not only the war itself that people fear. The effects of the war will be very costly to the United States, since our armies will have to stay in the Middle East to maintain peace between Iraq and Iran and also to seek out and destroy caches of weapons of mass destruction. Finally, American troops will have to assist in the democratization of the country. All of this seems an impossible task to many, particularly given an economic crisis that has hit Vermont particlarly hard recently.
Perhaps Vermonters have many of the same views because of the state's liberal policies, or perhaps we have absorbed an influx of new liberal voters recently. Perhaps, too, Vermonters feel the burden of economic and social issues at home, and are afraid of possible terrorist repercussions. Maybe these people have just thought logically about a war with Iraq and decided it is futile.
Whatever the case, it seems that many other parts of the country have done just that, and maybe soon the Bush administration will hear their voices as well and think about what the citizens of this country want to do, rather than what our leaders want to do in an election year. Does this not make sense considering our leaders are supposed to be representing our opinions?