News & Events 2002-2003

Dr. Bronner and His Case Against War with Iraq

Dr. Steven Bronner (right) has dinner with Dr. Marty Miller and students before his Skeptics appearance.

Dr. Steven Bronner, professor at Rutgers University, spoke about his case against going to war with Iraq on January 28th in Armstrong-Hipkins Center for the Arts as part of the Society of Skeptics lecture series.

Having just returned from Baghdad as a member of “US Academicians Against War,” Dr. Bronner shared his insights and feelings about the consequences of going to war with Iraq. Although he genuinely liked most of the people he met there, he said that Saddam Hussein’s fascist regime was not a “nice regime.” Hussein’s image, used as propaganda, was displayed throughout Baghdad, instilling a fear in its people. Dr. Bronner said that having the opportunity to meet and get to know the many Iraqis he encountered really put a “face on war” and humanized it.

Dr. Bronner’s opinion to not wage war with Iraq was highlighted by the possible consequences of such an event – possibly over 500,000 deaths and 3-5 million refugees. He stated that there is no proof of Iraq’s involvement with Al Quaeda and believed that war with Iraq would bring on an increase of terrorism against America and our allies. Dr. Bronner felt that a policy of containing this tyrant (boycott of military sales, continued monitoring, etc.) will work just as well as the Cold War containment of Stalin and his successors. Saddam Hussein is a regional threat, but we have the means to stop Iraqi aggression without resorting to an invasion.

Distinguished Professor of Political Science and Comparative Literature at Rutgers, Dr. Bronner won “Teacher of the Year” honors at Rutgers a few years ago.

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