The Face of Heaven So Fine

Before we touched it, we charted it. Before we charted it, we named it. Before we named it, we looked up to it. And we always will. Humans have gazed above and sought to learn more about the massive abyss that looms over us—space—and the gas and particles that sprinkle the sky with stars. Although we know that risks abound with any exploration of this magnitude, tragedies as a result of space journey become no less poignant when they occur.

The heartbreaking loss of Space Shuttle Columbia over the skies of Texas this Saturday was a graphic illustration of what happens when our dreams dissolve into frightening nightmares. But we must not let this unfortunate disaster make us afraid of dreaming ever again....

But even with the fortitude to continue on in spite of tragedy, America pauses in the journey to mourn the heroes we have lost. And we do not lament alone, for this was an international tragedy. The hauntingly horrid vision of the Columbia’s archangelic descent was seen around the world....

The pain is also felt deeply here at Harvard, for a certain kinship is shared amongst those—be they students at desks or astronauts in space—who devote their lives to the brave pursuit of knowledge....

Let us hope that the same need we feel to grieve together as one remains with us as we move forward, unified and determined to touch even more stars. While we have yet to name each and every star in the spaces above, we do know at least seven....

—Feb. 5, 2003

Unilateral War Is Wrong

Over the weekend, the Bush administration signaled its intention to proceed with military action in Iraq in the very near future....

Given America’s position in the global war on terror, its interest in promoting stability in the Middle East and its stated aim of helping the Iraqi people, war at this time seems contrary to America’s goals. We oppose unilateral military action in Iraq.

Much of the rhetoric advanced by war’s proponents rests on the premise that our efforts at “liberation” will lead to a more democratic Iraq; but this is overly optimistic. Installing the mechanisms for democratic government in Iraq—whose infrastructure will have been decimated by war—requires an enormous commitment. But after its failure in Afghanistan, we doubt the Bush administration’s will to follow through....

Going to war in Iraq also puts at risk the success of our broader effort to combat al Qaeda worldwide. Beyond the shift of resources and attention from our anti-terrorism campaign to our anti-Iraq campaign, initiating an unpopular military conflict in Iraq may alienate crucial allies necessary to the capture of terrorists....

Finally, acting in the face of U.N. disapproval undercuts the foundational purpose of the organization itself, as outlined in its charter: “to ensure, by the acceptance of principles and the institution of methods, that armed force shall not be used, save in the common interest....”

Had broader international support been assembled, military action in Iraq may have been more palatable. The goal of disarming a dangerous tyrant is a worthy one, and bringing relief to a nation crippled by totalitarianism is a noble objective. But given the lonesome international situation in which Bush now stands, we cannot support the President’s plan for war.

—March 19, 2003