Staying informed about the war in Iraq

By Nicole Harris

After watching television for an hour, I can discuss a variety of things with you. I can tell you, in detail, that Britney Spears was released from the UCLA psychiatric ward. I can give you a dissertation on the writers' strike, discuss Shaq being traded to the Suns, and I can even give you a full breakdown of the presidential candidates and the 2008 primary.

But I cannot give you an update on the war in Iraq.

It's really the same old story: The media covers what they think will sell, and we sit back in disgust (yet private pleasure) as we are updated, minute by minute, on our favorite sports star, presidential candidate or celebrity scandal.

We're accustomed to finding the information when we want and where we want it, either by television, Internet or our Blackberries. Yet as CNN reports on the latest "slip of the lip" that Bill Clinton made, United States soldiers are fighting and dying in Iraq and Afghanistan, which you'll have to stay tuned to the end of the broadcast to hear about.

Of course, paying attention to events going on in our society is important. Yet, we are fighting a war that, in almost five years, has claimed 3,963 lives and wounded 28,773 soldiers. And while the death toll in December was the second lowest since the war began, troops are being moved to Afghanistan and an increased surge in troops is planned for 2008.

Instead of paying attention to what is going on overseas and why, people are clinging to their uneducated anti-war, President Bush-hating claims, or, on the polar opposite side, sticking by the government's actions and resting all hopes on the 2008 presidential candidates without even knowing why. It's great that the candidates all have plans for Iraq, but waiting an entire year for political change to occur is entirely unacceptable.

Political affiliations aside, it's time that we get educated and focus on changing the policy affecting the war in Iraq, instead of just letting it play out. We can gripe all we want about how we shouldn't have gone into Iraq, but the fact is, we can't change what has already happened. We're there, and now it's time to devote ourselves to coming together as a country to persevere through this conflict.

The only way that this is going to happen is if we stop placing more value on which celebrity is in rehab this week and place more emphasis on U.S. foreign policy.

So how do we go about achieving this? Talk is nice, but it doesn't get anything accomplished without action. As much as one may hate to admit it, the media does have an incredible influence on politics. Because of this, we need to demand change and refocus our energy toward the war. Write letters, turn off FOX or CNN when Paris Hilton's latest antics are discussed and stay tuned when information comes on about the war. Nielson ratings really do matter.

As trite as it may sound, get involved. You hate the war and Bush? Fine, but write letters to Congress or protest. Think Bush is doing a good job and we should just give the government more time? That's fine, too, but then get involved in community action groups to support the war effort.

Regardless of your opinion, it's time to share your voice. After all, the Super Bowl may be the talk of the week, but the repercussions of the war will follow us the rest of our lives.

Nicole Harris is the opinion copy editor for The Santa Clara.