A telecommunications professor with experience in Iraq warns that military intervention against Saddam Hussein may cause more harm than good.
"This is not a John Wayne world, so if we act like a gunslinger who can control anything, we are going to get ourselves into trouble," said Phil Bremen, professor of telecommunications.
Bremen periodically covered the war between Iran and Iraq overseas as an NBC correspondent from 1982 through 1986.
Bremen said, during the Iran-Iraq war, President Reagan felt Iran posed a bigger threat against its neighboring country of Iraq. Reagan chose instead to help Iraq by supplying the country with intelligence and satellite information.
While in the Middle East, Bremen said he had passports for both countries, so he traveled between the divided nations with few problems.
"While I was in Iraq, I learned of the fear Iraqis have toward their leader," Bremen said. "But because they feel Hussein is their only choice, they have made no efforts to change the regime."
Bremen said the Iraqis wanted to oust Hussein, but supported him and chose to fight only because - if they didn't - they would be killed.
"They know he is a ruthless man, but he is one of them, and sometimes you want people like that to go to battle," Bremen said. "Though they do not trust him, they do not trust us either, and people tend to stick together in time of war."
If an attack was to occur, Bremen said Bush may be rushing into something with too many consequences.
"The president has not given us a solid reason why war is necessary," Bremen said. "Though he said there may be an underlying reason that he has not released yet to the public."
Bush plans to continue his campaign against Iraq with a speech Thursday focused on ridding Hussein of weapons of mass destruction in the foreign nation.
Bremen said if Bush were to force military action, Iraq could easily be destroyed as a country - but Hussein could present more difficulty.
"Osama bin Laden had a weak government, which the military easily toppled," Bremen said. "But the United States still does not have him, and Saddam's government is much stronger."
Bremen said he feels the most patriotic thing for people and the government to do would be to ask the right questions and consider if an attack is in the best interest of the citizens. He also encourages individuals to question whether a war will bring forth an outcome that is wanted and whether or not it is the most important item on our country's agenda at the current time.
"If we were to go to war, the Muslim world would feel pressure to stand up against the United States," Bremen said. "(This) could create more terrorism."
He also said Hussein's easiest target would be Israel, which would incite more violence and set back the peace process between the Israelites and the Palestinians.
"When you upset an applecart there (Iraq), your apples can roll many ways," Bremen said.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
