Turnstile

by Abhinav Aima

I am appalled at the misdirection of U.S. policy in two areas this week and surprised that the incidents have not been able to get a rise out of an otherwise intelligent student body.

Perhaps the Bush-Clinton loyalty feud is stopping some people from examining this administration's policies with an open mind.

The recent declaration of oil exploration rights in Alaska is nothing short of a stepping up of the war by the colonizers against the natives. The motives, we have been told, are economic and outweigh the environmental concerns. However, the motives for the systematic genocide of native Americans were always economic. How can anyone seriously expect a reconciliation of pride among native Americans when such blatant repetition of the history of destruction of the native culture is calmly reinforced, with little opposition from most American citizens?

No one even is considering the rights of the Alaskan natives to decide for themselves the best way to preserve their habitat, just as the rights of the natives were of little consequence over two hundred years ago. Surprisingly, such overbearingly racist actions can be approved with little opposition in the America of the 21st century.

The other action, currently being debated in the U.S. Congress, is the denial of payment of back-dues - $582 million - to the United Nations till such time that the U.S. is reinstated on the Human Rights Commission. How can any American expect to be taken seriously when supporting "democracy" if the U.S. uses economic pressure in the United Nations to reverse a democratic decision? The U.S. ran in its pool and asked for votes to be placed on the Commission; it lost. By using the monetary dues as a way of pushing the United Nations around, the U.S. Congress is sending a clear signal to the world - screw democracy. American interests come first, always, and by any means possible.

Abhinav Aima is a graduate student in the E. W. Scripps School of Journalism. Send comments to aa342389@oak.cats.ohiou.edu.