Despite the rhetoric of some of our political leaders, there still remains a lack of consensus among the American people, the military leaders and the politicians about going to war with Iraq.

Doubts and questions have led to a swelling of anti-war activism within America and the rest of the world. Recent protests in Washington, D.C., have been the largest since the Vietnam War, with people from all walks of life present–mothers, teachers, doctors, carpenters, students, whoever. The anti-war sentiment is not just confined to longhaired peaceniks or erstwhile hippies–it has penetrated to middle America as well.

There are multiple reasons to oppose war with Iraq, and these concerns have led many to question the drumbeats of war that are being beaten by a vocal few. After all, if our main concern is to ensure the disarmament of Iraq, then that is currently occurring. The United Nations weapons inspectors are in Iraq, and thus far they have turned up nothing.

Not only have they been inspecting, but also, unlike previous times, they currently have unlimited access to all of Iraq’s facilities, including the palaces of Saddam Hussein.

Even before the inspections began, former UN weapons inspectors said that 95 percent of Iraq’s chemical weapons had been destroyed and that the possibility of Iraq having weapons of mass destruction was slim.

Besides, if nuclear weapons in the hands of our enemies are what we are concerned about, then what about that other part of the “Axis of Evil”–North Korea, which has openly admitted to having nuclear weapons?

The other reason put forth for an invasion of Iraq is their support of terrorism. However, despite the efforts of the war hawks, there has been no link documented between Al Qaeda and Iraq. A 2002 study by the State Department found no association between Iraq and terrorist groups. Besides, Saddam and Osama bin Laden are unlikely allies; Saddam is a socialist who hates “Islamicists” while bin Laden thinks Hussein is an infidel.

Last but not least, another reason put forth for invasion and war is the brutality of Saddam. No one disputes the fact that Saddam has made life hellish for the Iraqi people and that his human rights record is one of the worst in the world; however, these issues have never been addressed by U.S. policy. In fact, some of his gravest human-rights violations, like the gassing of the Kurds, occurred while Saddam was a United States ally.

There are many brutal dictators in the world who suppress democracy and freedom of expression; however, we do not speak of overthrowing them. The concept of “regime change” is a grave violation of international law and could lead to a dangerous precedent.

In addition to the lack of a compelling reason to go to war, there are moral, domestic and international problems that might result from this aggression. First, there is the danger to American lives that will result. American troops’ lives will be in danger on the front lines of the war; some estimates have said that as many as 30,000 U.S. soldiers could die.

As if that is not bad enough, a war against Iraq will just provide fodder to the enemies of the United States.

Groups like Al Qaeda will capitalize on the anger and shock that will result from a war to swell their own ranks of terrorists against America. For the safety of Americans everywhere, this war is the worst thing that could happen. An image from the Internet sums it up best–a picture of Osama bin Laden in the Uncle Sam pose saying, “I want you to invade Iraq.”

In addition, war in general raises a variety of moral and ethical concerns that all of us, whatever our religious preference, should be concerned about.

Especially for us, students studying at a Jesuit university, this talk of war should raise moral warning bells. How can the deaths of thousands of innocent civilians be justified? In the era of bombs that kill indiscriminately, can we ever again have a “just war?”

This Sunday, December 8, from 1:30 till 3:30, concerned citizens will gather at Centenary United Methodist Church, at 16th St. and Olive St. downtown, to rally against the war.

There will be speakers, including the former Missouri Lieutenant Governor, music by Javier Mendoza and much more. As students, we should be at the forefront of the anti-war movement.

After all, it is people our age who will be fighting and possibly dying if we go to war. Students of the past have always been at the head of protest movements, and this time should be no different.

So come on Sunday and let the world know that if there is war on Iraq, it is not in our names.

Lubna Alam is a senior studying history.