War Resolution Doesn't Speak For All
By Jessica A Hans '03

This past Tuesday, roughly 20% of the Pomona College student body voted in favor of the ASPC's endorsement of an anti-war resolution. Although only 339 students voted in its favor, all 1500 students of Pomona College will now effectively be endorsing a fallacious, poorly worded resolution to the public. By passing this resolution, Pomona is broadcasting a misleading story about its students.

The resolution was a bad idea from the outset. While I truly believe that the vast majority of Pomona students oppose the war in Iraq and the Bush administration, and many agree with the intended message of the resolution, I would have hoped that these students define Pomona as an institution in which all views are welcomed, and diversity of opinion is encouraged. How would the student body feel if the Senate proposed a pro-abortion resolution, or statement favoring the death penalty? Is it really Pomona's place, as a respectable institution of higher learning, to sponsor causes or endorse such complex issues? Pomona should support the invaluable learning experience that results from being exposed to opposing viewpoints. Throughout my four years here, I have always been impressed by the fact that students frequently and compassionately argue about world issues, ethical issues, and political issues. It is more impressive that students enjoy this activity; they appear to be truly interested in the other side of the story. I want to believe that Pomona students still appreciate the diversity of opinion among their peers, yet sadly, the ASPC's endorsement of the anti-war resolution has forced me to reevaluate my observation.

I was happy to meet a student, James Solomon, at the Greenhouse on Monday evening. He was distributing fliers informing us students that we should reject the anti-war resolution on the basis that many of its components were misleading or altogether false. It is quite unfortunate, and embarrassing, that factual information was not acknowledged as being of supreme importance this past Tuesday. Hopefully the outcome of this vote will convince James to publish his fact-based objections. Maybe students will forgive the Senate for being imperfect and simply following their constitution. Maybe students will decide to take collective action against this resolution, and prove that Pomona College should endorse diversity of opinion and factual information.

While I believe there is enough substantive evidence to reject this resolution, I feel the student body should also know that this resolution was created a) to generate a heated controversy among the student body and b) to have the ASPC endorse the anti-war sentiment of one of the student authors. Nate Fisher and Ji Chong, masterminds behind the resolution, undoubtedly got what they wanted. According to Nate, "For Ji, the point was creating hilarious controversy and dialogue, and for me the point was articulating my personal feelings about the war. And it was very gratifying to see my feelings of the war endorsed by ASPC. You can quote me on that." The publication of this letter proves that both Nate and Ji have succeeded in their peculiar venture. While I respect your chutzpah, Nate and Ji, I am disappointed in the student body for endorsing your resolution.