East Montgomery - News
War and Politics: Iraq War divides community, candidates
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| U.S. Army soldiers along with Iraqi police officers clear and patrol the town of Aswad in the Diyala Province of Iraq Feb. 19, 2008. |
By MATTHEW HUISMAN
The floor-to-ceiling windows of Raquel Henry’s Lone Star College-Kingwood office are filled with names typed on pieces of paper. The names - about 4,000 of them - are of all the men and women who gave their lives in Iraq. Now, every time she has to go back and make the font smaller because she’s running out of space.
Henry, a professor of psychology, said she started the wall in 2003 as a memorial to those who died. The wall contains names, the dates the servicemen and women died and the place they were killed.
“These are people who died for you and me,” Henry said.
Henry, who has a brother in the Army, said she wanted to raise awareness with the wall and invoke discussion among the students.
The Iraq War, already in its fifth year, remains a hot-button issue for local voters, area elected officials and presidential candidates alike.
the right thing to do
Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) promises to start removing some of the troops from Iraq shortly after taking office. Obama said the withdrawal would last until summer 2010.
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) said he would like to bring the troops home soon, but he has no immediate plans to do so.
Local people have expressed frustration with trying to find a reasonable solution to end the war.
“It’s important that our government takes all the appropriate steps to protect our citizens,” said New Caney High School teacher and Atascocita resident Deitra O’Neill. “Nobody likes to go to war, but you can’t let evil forces take over.”
“I don’t think anybody has an idea what to do about the war,” Andrew Grant, a student at Lone Star College-Kingwood, said.
“The most important thing is to end the war as soon as possible, and that includes violence.”
Grant said he supports McCain because he said he feels Obama’s exit strategy is too hasty.
Clyde Barber, of Splendora, echoed Grant’s concern about an exit strategy. Barber, an education student at LSC-Kingwood, said he feels it’s necessary to stay in Iraq until the job is finished.
Vera Adams is a teacher at Timebers Elementary who lives in Humble and knows the realities of serving in the military well. Her late husband served in Vietnam and retired as a master sergeant with the Air Force and her two sons, Jerred and Alphanso, both Humble High School, graduates have served in Iraq.
But with a son in the Marine Corps, Jerred, and another in the Air Force, Alphanso, Adams says she stays away from war politics.
“To be honest I stay away from that,” she said. “ I think with two boys serving in the military it’s hard to keep up with that and as a mom I really don’t want to know. I know they are out there to serve their country, but I think the hardest part is waiting for a phone call to hear what has happened.”
Adams, though, says she will vote in the presidential election for the first time.
“I just felt it was time and needed to,” she said. “ I’m looking more toward Obama. I’m just gonna take a chance with him.”
THE POLITICAL DIVIDE
The issue of the war in Iraq divides politicians, often down party lines, with Democrats generally against and Republicans typically in favor of the war. Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX) serves on the Foreign Affairs Committee and Terrorism Subcommittee and said that an immediate removal of forces would undermine the work that has been accomplished there.
“A mandatory arbitrary deadline for withdrawal doesn’t make any military sense,” Poe said. “When the Iraqi people are ready to take control of their own country, I think that would be a success.”
In addition to serving on the committees, Poe has made several visits to Iraq and Afghanistan. His latest visit to Iraq was in April of this year when he visited Camp Victory.
“The real concern in Iraq is Iran,” Poe said, “and their presence by sending money, people and small arms into Iraq.”
Poe said he views Iraq as an essential part to maintaining peace in the Middle East.
“The world threat is Iran and we have to be aware of that,” Poe said.
Democrats opposed to the war in Iraq support a calculated withdrawal of troops and would ensure the Iraqi people are in place to take over their own government.
While there is support for the war, there is also strong opposition. Locally, Congressman Gene Green (D-TX) said he is opposed to the war.
“In hindsight we shouldn’t have gone to war in Iraq because we know that there were no substantial weapons of mass destruction,” Green said.
“Iraq was an economic basket case.”
Green also mentioned the cost of the war for the American taxpayers.
“We have spent an average of $10 billion a month over five years, which is about $600 billion,” Green said. The congressman added that he thinks the Iraqi people are ready to take over their own country after the bureaucracy which formerly existed was eliminated with Saddam Hussein’s expulsion of power.
“We should get out as quick as we can,” Green said.
reaction at home
While the war is a major issue this election, many people aren’t impacted by it locally, so for them it isn’t important.
Stephen Davis, a history professor at LSC-Kingwood, said that oftentimes the effects of the war are not directly felt at home because Americans are detached from the military. According to Davis, since the U.S. military is a volunteer army, it impacts families less than if there was a draft.
“Nobody is really worried about it since there is no threat of enlistment,” Davis said. “There is a case to be made to reinstate the draft.” Davis said the draft policy would keep leaders from becoming reckless and decrease the likelihood of a long-term American military commitment.
“This is a war that never should have been fought in the first place,” Davis said. “The candidate that can get us out sooner, to me that’s the superior approach.”
Raquel Henry agrees with Davis.
“Right now as it’s going on, we are not sacrificing at all,” Henry said. “It’s so easy to ignore it when it doesn’t affect you.”
Henry, though, stressed the importance of realizing the hardships the troops face.
“I think you can be against the war and support the troops,” Henry said.
Support for the troops
Norman Macey, the commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4816 in Porter, said that the one shared idea among the veterans is their support for the troops.
“Everybody supports the troops and will do so as long as there is one service person over there,” Macey said.
Macey, who served in Vietnam in 1969 and 1970 as a marine, said he was bothered by the number of tours of duty the soldiers were completing. Macey said it might be time to bring some of the troops home, but did not know when and how to pull out. He said that the troops serve unconditionally and that it shows great character.
“When the call comes and the fight is warranted,” Macey said, “it’s our duty to do our part and step up.” Macey said that he was confident McCain could handle the Iraq War better than Obama due to his military service.
Locally, Blue Star Moms Houston, a support and service organization, allows mothers who have children in the military or who are veterans network. Their monthly meetings provide an opportunity to share the latest news and to give support for the troops by sending care packages or knitting helmet liners.
President Susan Lunson, who has a son preparing for his third deployment to Iraq and a daughter in the Navy, said that this is not an organization that just sits and worries about their children.
“It gives us an outlet to do something productive,” Lunson said. “It feels like we’re contributing, making a difference.”
The Houston chapter started four years ago with about 30 members. Today, the organization has about 150 members, according to Lunson.
“We share a bond with any other mother that has a child in the military,” Lunson said. “We’re very passionate about our childrens’ choices to serve this country and the military.”
As military and civilian casualties in Iraq have decreased over the past few months, the Army has seen a slight increase in recruits, according to Jay Thompson, a public affairs specialist with the Houston recruiting battalion. Thompson said that there were 32 contracts signed in the area over the past three months.
“We find that citizens in this area are patriotic and desiring to serve in the community or the military,” Thompson said.
The devotion to the troops is what motivated Henry to start the wall. She said that she would change the font as long as she could.
“If McCain wins the election,” Henry said, “I’m going to need another office.”
Where the candidates Stand
Barack Obama
Remove one to two combat brigades a month over the course of 16 months, ending during the summer of 2010.
Maintain a residual force to conduct targeted counter-terrorism missions and to protect American diplomats and civilians.
No permanent base in Iraq.
John McCain
Advocates continuing the surge strategy of sending more troops.
Does not want to keep troops longer than necessary.
Cannot say when a withdrawal will occur.
This story is the first in a series leading up to Election Day, Nov. 4, that will look at the major presidential issues from a local perspective. As the series continues, we want to hear from you about your thoughts on the war in Iraq or any other issue you think is important. Send your thoughts by e-mail to observereditor@hcnonline.com.
Henry, a professor of psychology, said she started the wall in 2003 as a memorial to those who died. The wall contains names, the dates the servicemen and women died and the place they were killed.
“These are people who died for you and me,” Henry said.
Henry, who has a brother in the Army, said she wanted to raise awareness with the wall and invoke discussion among the students.
The Iraq War, already in its fifth year, remains a hot-button issue for local voters, area elected officials and presidential candidates alike.
the right thing to do
Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) promises to start removing some of the troops from Iraq shortly after taking office. Obama said the withdrawal would last until summer 2010.
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) said he would like to bring the troops home soon, but he has no immediate plans to do so.
Local people have expressed frustration with trying to find a reasonable solution to end the war.
“It’s important that our government takes all the appropriate steps to protect our citizens,” said New Caney High School teacher and Atascocita resident Deitra O’Neill. “Nobody likes to go to war, but you can’t let evil forces take over.”
“I don’t think anybody has an idea what to do about the war,” Andrew Grant, a student at Lone Star College-Kingwood, said.
“The most important thing is to end the war as soon as possible, and that includes violence.”
Grant said he supports McCain because he said he feels Obama’s exit strategy is too hasty.
Clyde Barber, of Splendora, echoed Grant’s concern about an exit strategy. Barber, an education student at LSC-Kingwood, said he feels it’s necessary to stay in Iraq until the job is finished.
Vera Adams is a teacher at Timebers Elementary who lives in Humble and knows the realities of serving in the military well. Her late husband served in Vietnam and retired as a master sergeant with the Air Force and her two sons, Jerred and Alphanso, both Humble High School, graduates have served in Iraq.
But with a son in the Marine Corps, Jerred, and another in the Air Force, Alphanso, Adams says she stays away from war politics.
“To be honest I stay away from that,” she said. “ I think with two boys serving in the military it’s hard to keep up with that and as a mom I really don’t want to know. I know they are out there to serve their country, but I think the hardest part is waiting for a phone call to hear what has happened.”
Adams, though, says she will vote in the presidential election for the first time.
“I just felt it was time and needed to,” she said. “ I’m looking more toward Obama. I’m just gonna take a chance with him.”
THE POLITICAL DIVIDE
The issue of the war in Iraq divides politicians, often down party lines, with Democrats generally against and Republicans typically in favor of the war. Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX) serves on the Foreign Affairs Committee and Terrorism Subcommittee and said that an immediate removal of forces would undermine the work that has been accomplished there.
“A mandatory arbitrary deadline for withdrawal doesn’t make any military sense,” Poe said. “When the Iraqi people are ready to take control of their own country, I think that would be a success.”
In addition to serving on the committees, Poe has made several visits to Iraq and Afghanistan. His latest visit to Iraq was in April of this year when he visited Camp Victory.
“The real concern in Iraq is Iran,” Poe said, “and their presence by sending money, people and small arms into Iraq.”
Poe said he views Iraq as an essential part to maintaining peace in the Middle East.
“The world threat is Iran and we have to be aware of that,” Poe said.
Democrats opposed to the war in Iraq support a calculated withdrawal of troops and would ensure the Iraqi people are in place to take over their own government.
While there is support for the war, there is also strong opposition. Locally, Congressman Gene Green (D-TX) said he is opposed to the war.
“In hindsight we shouldn’t have gone to war in Iraq because we know that there were no substantial weapons of mass destruction,” Green said.
“Iraq was an economic basket case.”
Green also mentioned the cost of the war for the American taxpayers.
“We have spent an average of $10 billion a month over five years, which is about $600 billion,” Green said. The congressman added that he thinks the Iraqi people are ready to take over their own country after the bureaucracy which formerly existed was eliminated with Saddam Hussein’s expulsion of power.
“We should get out as quick as we can,” Green said.
reaction at home
While the war is a major issue this election, many people aren’t impacted by it locally, so for them it isn’t important.
Stephen Davis, a history professor at LSC-Kingwood, said that oftentimes the effects of the war are not directly felt at home because Americans are detached from the military. According to Davis, since the U.S. military is a volunteer army, it impacts families less than if there was a draft.
“Nobody is really worried about it since there is no threat of enlistment,” Davis said. “There is a case to be made to reinstate the draft.” Davis said the draft policy would keep leaders from becoming reckless and decrease the likelihood of a long-term American military commitment.
“This is a war that never should have been fought in the first place,” Davis said. “The candidate that can get us out sooner, to me that’s the superior approach.”
Raquel Henry agrees with Davis.
“Right now as it’s going on, we are not sacrificing at all,” Henry said. “It’s so easy to ignore it when it doesn’t affect you.”
Henry, though, stressed the importance of realizing the hardships the troops face.
“I think you can be against the war and support the troops,” Henry said.
Support for the troops
Norman Macey, the commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4816 in Porter, said that the one shared idea among the veterans is their support for the troops.
“Everybody supports the troops and will do so as long as there is one service person over there,” Macey said.
Macey, who served in Vietnam in 1969 and 1970 as a marine, said he was bothered by the number of tours of duty the soldiers were completing. Macey said it might be time to bring some of the troops home, but did not know when and how to pull out. He said that the troops serve unconditionally and that it shows great character.
“When the call comes and the fight is warranted,” Macey said, “it’s our duty to do our part and step up.” Macey said that he was confident McCain could handle the Iraq War better than Obama due to his military service.
Locally, Blue Star Moms Houston, a support and service organization, allows mothers who have children in the military or who are veterans network. Their monthly meetings provide an opportunity to share the latest news and to give support for the troops by sending care packages or knitting helmet liners.
President Susan Lunson, who has a son preparing for his third deployment to Iraq and a daughter in the Navy, said that this is not an organization that just sits and worries about their children.
“It gives us an outlet to do something productive,” Lunson said. “It feels like we’re contributing, making a difference.”
The Houston chapter started four years ago with about 30 members. Today, the organization has about 150 members, according to Lunson.
“We share a bond with any other mother that has a child in the military,” Lunson said. “We’re very passionate about our childrens’ choices to serve this country and the military.”
As military and civilian casualties in Iraq have decreased over the past few months, the Army has seen a slight increase in recruits, according to Jay Thompson, a public affairs specialist with the Houston recruiting battalion. Thompson said that there were 32 contracts signed in the area over the past three months.
“We find that citizens in this area are patriotic and desiring to serve in the community or the military,” Thompson said.
The devotion to the troops is what motivated Henry to start the wall. She said that she would change the font as long as she could.
“If McCain wins the election,” Henry said, “I’m going to need another office.”
Where the candidates Stand
Barack Obama
Remove one to two combat brigades a month over the course of 16 months, ending during the summer of 2010.
Maintain a residual force to conduct targeted counter-terrorism missions and to protect American diplomats and civilians.
No permanent base in Iraq.
John McCain
Advocates continuing the surge strategy of sending more troops.
Does not want to keep troops longer than necessary.
Cannot say when a withdrawal will occur.
This story is the first in a series leading up to Election Day, Nov. 4, that will look at the major presidential issues from a local perspective. As the series continues, we want to hear from you about your thoughts on the war in Iraq or any other issue you think is important. Send your thoughts by e-mail to observereditor@hcnonline.com.
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