Persevering in the War on Terror

Written by Vice President Brian O'Donnell

     President Donald Trump’s recent decision to increase U.S. involvement in the war in Afghanistan has been met with a large amount of criticism and skepticism. Understandably so. Many Americans are tired of spending money and losing the lives of fellow countrymen for a seemingly endless conflict. After all, we have committed nearly two decades and over $1 trillion without success. I too find the situation frustrating, though I support our efforts in the region. Others think the decision is simply an attempt to redirect attention away from the chaos that the administration has faced thus far. But perhaps we are looking at this decision the wrong way. Perhaps we are so blinded by our perceptions of President Trump’s decision making on so many other issues to see that he made a rational decision in this scenario.

     Many of the President’s actions thus far have been about doing what he promised to do during his campaign, regardless of whether his advisers and long-time policymakers agree or not. In this case, he showed he was willing to take advice. During the campaign, he argued for withdrawing from Afghanistan altogether, having tweeted about it on multiple occasions. Now, he is admitting that that would’ve been a mistake. This willingness to listen to military leaders who have many years of expertise fighting terrorism in the region is a welcome sign. I am hopeful that he will continue to surround himself with experts and heed their collective wisdom and experience in the future.

     Not only is this decision a change of pace for the President’s decision making, it is also the right move for our country and the world. We as a country only had two realistic options: withdraw or escalate. The Afghan government only controls about 60% of its country and the Taliban is making noteworthy gains in reestablishing itself. Our current strategy is clearly not working and though neither option was desirable, withdrawing would have been worse. The reality is that there are 20 terrorist organizations operating in Afghanistan, the nation in which Al Qaeda members planned the terrible attacks of 9/11. Withdrawing our political and military support for a government that is struggling to maintain its grip can only make the situation worse. We’ve already seen what can happen when terrorists are allowed to operate without resistance. We’ve invested too much money and lost too many lives to watch our efforts go to waste. This does not mean that we should pursue victory with reckless abandon. We absolutely need more support from NATO and the regional powers, especially Pakistan. However, the plan that President Trump laid out is a reasonable step in the right direction towards pushing back against terrorist’s recent gains.

SMU concedes, returns displays to Dallas Hall lawn

Written by Kylie Madry

After controversy erupted last week when SMU told Young Americans for Freedom that their annual 9/11 memorial would no longer take place on Dallas Hall lawn but in Morrison-McGinnis park, the university has agreed to return all displays to the traditional location on the lawn.

In a press release from SMU, officials and student leaders worked together to achieve a revised display policy.

Going forward, displays in the historical location on the north end of Dallas Hall lawn will last one day. Displays of up to three days, like many in the past (including Mustangs for Life’s anti-abortion display), will now be located at the south end of Dallas Hall lawn.

This way, the unused end of the lawn can be used for other purposes while displays are being held, the release says.

The university intends to revise a new display policy, this time consulting with student government and other campus leaders.

“I thank the students from across campus who came together in the spirit of mutual respect and civil discourse to achieve this outcome,” President R. Gerald Turner said in the release. “Throughout these discussions, students have expressed their commitment to freedom of expression – a value the University shares.”

SMU caught widespread ire after a number of outlets picked up an open letter penned by student organizations, calling the university out for suppressing campus speech after the display policy was unexpectedly changed over the summer.

This policy required all displays, including the 9/11 memorial and Mustangs for Life’s anti-abortion display, to be moved to MoMac park. The policy also stated that the university aims to avoid “messages that are triggering, harmful, or harassing.”

An SMU spokesman later said that the policy language hadn’t gone through the proper vetting process. At this time, it’s unclear who added the phrasing.

A day after the open letter, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called on R. Gerald Turner to return the 9/11 display to its “appropriate and traditional place of honor” on Dallas Hall lawn.

Turner responded to Abbott, saying the governor had been given “incorrect information” about the school’s display policy.

Abbott’s office did not immediately respond for comment Wednesday evening.

Student organizations respond to new Dallas Hall Lawn display policy

Last week, Young Americans for Freedom submitted a use of grounds request for its annual 9/11 Memorial display, which consists of 2,977 American flags that honor the lives lost that terrible day. The response they received is the reason for this letter.

The response stated that our University has changed its policy on Dallas Hall Lawn displays, which are no longer permitted and are to be conducted in MoMac Park from now on. While we understand that displays are still permitted, this new location is far less prominent than the iconic Dallas Hall Lawn, which thousands of students, faculty and local residents pass by every day and serves as the heart of our campus. This is disappointing considering that the purpose of the many displays that our organizations construct is to generate respectful, diverse dialogue so that our campus will be a center for thoughtful and engaging discussion that inspires and informs the ‘World Changers’ we are all striving to become.

What is even more concerning is the language that was used in the new policy. It read: “The University also respects the right of all members of the community to avoid messages that are triggering, harmful, or harassing.” This statement has implications that are very dangerous to our university’s academic environment and echoes similar statements made by universities
across the nation. Places like UC Berkeley, Middlebury and Evergreen College have effectively shut down free speech on their campuses. Freedom of speech is one of the most important of the inalienable rights of our nation. It has proven to be a fundamental prerequisite to democracy and freedom throughout history. People absolutely have to have a right to their own opinions, but this does not come with a right to be shielded from opposing ideas, especially in an environment dedicated to the learning, sharing and developing of new ideas.

A flag memorial to honor those who lost their lives in the events of 9/11, or displays promoting the education and discussion of the pro-life, pro-choice movements among SMU students must not be viewed as attacks on others. In choosing to view these displays as such, SMU is deviating from its call as a center of higher learning. Its' mission is to be a place where
ideas are challenged and intellect thrives, not a place to hide or silence alternative points of view. If SMU chooses to limit students’ rights to challenge and discuss the ideas and values that are fueling the creation of World Changers, it is indoctrination, not education, that will be taking place on our campus. We are witnessing the degradation of the mission of higher learning at universities across the country because of policies like this.The question we ask is this: how can students change the world if they don’t have the opportunity to share and express their closely held values and beliefs?

We, as student leaders of this University and whose student organizations promote messages that have a right to be seen and heard, urge you to reconsider this restrictive and destructive policy.

Sincerely,

Drew Wicker, President of College Republicans

Cecily Cox, Co-President of College Democrats

Matthew Lucci, Co-President of College Democrats

Julia Cantu, President of Feminist Equality Movement

Daniel T. Rosa, President of Mustangs for Life

Heather Hall, President of Turning Point USA

Grant Wolf, Chairman of Young Americans for Freedom