In this issue.... High School Discussion Group this Saturday, Two Days Short of Deadline 8th Grade Resolutions Are Arriving New Poll

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High School Discussion Group this Saturday, Two Days Short of Deadline

Rarely has there been an opportunity for people to discuss an impending crisis than this coming Saturday when we have our next Gateway Model U.N. Discussion group. One commentator recently stated that he has not been so scared since the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. A key difference is that the missile crisis was not telegraphed in advance. President Kennedy maintained his normal schedule in advance of taking action (although he did cancel a speaking engagement at Westroads Shopping Center in St. Louis [now the Galleria] three days before his announcement. We were told that he had the flu and since he was frequently sick, we believed it.) The current crisis is very different; the president is telling the world in advance that he is going to take military action. The U.S. has taken military action numerous times since 1962, but never before as the party that fires the first shot. This adds another dimension to our fear; not only will there probably be war, but the U.S. will be perceived by many as the aggressor. It will also be acting against the will of the United Nations. How risky can things get?

What we discuss on Saturday will not be frivolous; it will not be a contrived crisis; it will be the real thing. We are fortunate enough to live in a country where we can freely discuss our ideas, share our feelings, and try to effect public policy. None of us has a corner on the wisdom necessary to figure out how to handle this dilemma. Leadership and citizenry both require an ability to and willingness to listen to others. If we are truly listening (absorbing what others have to say), we are humble enough to allow ourselves to have a doubt or two about our own opinions. On Saturday, let us engage in the kind of open dialogue that President Kennedy encouraged among his peers in 1962. With the help of other concerned citizens, he was able to avoid war and creatively find a solution to a difficult dilemma.

The high school discussion group will be this Saturday morning, March 15, at Crossroads School (map below) from 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM. If you come to just one Model U.N. event all year, this is the one we recommend most. The stakes are the highest. We encourage you to exercise your rights as a citizen. You can be a provider of knowledge as well as a learner from others.

The poll that we have this week is much related to the current crisis. You may well want to check that out as well. There is also a discussion forum related to the poll where you can offer your comments.

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday at Crossroads!

• Map to Crossroads School

	8th Grade Resolutions Are Arriving
We want to thank all of the 8th grade teachers who have submitted resolutions from their students. Bobbi Clemons and Abbey Hatcher have been very busy putting them into the proper format. We now have five of the six resolutions for the March 26 session posted on the web and in the mail for teachers. Please feel free to E-Mail us with suggestions for improvements to resolutions. One of our key goals is to eliminate errors of omission prior to the sessions. In particular, we want the resolutions to include modes of funding and accountability. If you notice key omissions, please let us know. Thanks again to all the 8th grade teachers who have been so cooperative! • Index to Resolutions for 8th grade Model U.N.

	New Poll
Last week's poll revealed that 86% of our respondents opposed the use of torture by the U.S. with captured prisoners. This week's poll is rather lengthy and will require special thought. We hope that you are willing to give it a try. A question that has been raised recently with the prospect of a war with the U.S. and Iraq as the major players is, "Is this a just war or is it just a war?" The term "just war" reflects a theory that was first developed by St. Augustine in the fifth century and expanded upon by St. Thomas Aquinas in the 13th. For a war to be considered just, it must meet the following criteria: 1. Have a just cause, meaning that it confronts a danger beyond question. 2. Be declared by a legitimate authority acting on behalf of the people; be driven by the right intention, not ulterior economic or other motives; be the last resort. 3. Be proportional, so that the harm inflicted does not outweigh the good achieved. 4. Have a reasonable chance of success. With this in mind, which of the following best describes your view of the "just war" theory and the prospect of American military action against Iraq? 1. I accept the "just war" theory and believe that U.S. military action would meet its criteria. 2. I accept the "just war" theory but DO NOT believe that U.S. military action would meet its criteria. 3. I accept the "just war" theory but AM NOT SURE whether U.S. military action would meet its criteria. 4. I DO NOT accept the "just war" theory and I support U.S. military action against Iraq. 5. I DO NOT accept the "just war" theory but I DO NOT support U.S. military action against Iraq. 6. I DO NOT accept the "just war" theory but AM NOT SURE whether I support U.S. military action would meet its criteria. 7. I don't know whether I support the "just war" theory. 8. I'm simply confused by the whole thing. There is also a discussion forum on the intranets site where you can expand your thoughts on the "just war theory" If you have thoughts that go beyond the strict confines of a poll, please join in the discussion. • Link to Poll

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