The Highlander

This academic year has been filled with major events throughout our nation and the world. As we reach this critical juncture, let us renew our commitment to make that positive impact on our uncertain world.

The Regis mission statement begins as follows: "Regis University educates men and women of all ages to take leadership roles and to make a positive impact in a changing society." Although many entered this university with a clear idea about their major and direction in life, it is highly probable that some adjustments would be made along the way. The core liberal arts idea of exposing students to a wide variety of disciplines has consistently displayed its value. Regardless of specialization the university strives to teach critical thought. Are students able to develop a point of view and can they defend it? From my perspective the effect that courses throughout the University have on developing student's ability to communicate those views in both written and oral formats has been invaluable.

As we prepare to contribute to our changing society, we were reminded at the beginning of the academic year just how rapidly it can be altered. The effects of last year's hurricane season have been absolutely devastating. The process of rebuilding will require a sustained commitment of manpower and resources. The current Mayoral Debate in the City of New Orleans reminds us of the burden and opportunity of leadership. According to the Associated Press, Mayor Ray Nagin secured 38% with Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu carrying 29% which will force a runoff on May 20. Whoever is successful will lead one of the largest urban reconstruction efforts in our history as New Orleans continues to deal with its post-Katrina reality.

International Arena

The tragedy experienced along the Gulf Coast triggered a fierce debate about race and class issues. Other developed nations, particularly those with extensive welfare states, criticized American capitalism as it allowed segments of its citizenry to be left behind. The devastation brought significant support from countries that ranged from Kuwait to Spain.

On the September 25 episode of Meet the Press, David Brooks of the New York Times told Tim Russert that, "This was the most anticipated natural disaster in American history and we failed on every single level." The rapid reaction that is needed in order to manage a crisis situation was woefully lacking.

Katrina and its effects also impact the way many people viewed our ongoing efforts in Iraq. Joseph E. Stiglitz, a Nobel laureate in economics, is a Professor of Economics at Columbia University and was Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers to President Clinton. He conducted a study with Linda Bilmes, a Budget expert and lecturer at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard. The study was released in January and as the Christian Science Monitor reported; the total cost of the war could exceed $2 trillion dollars. Due to operations overseas, the American Gulf States had National Guardsmen deployed and not able to fill their duty of responding to this national disaster. Much of the response to issues of budget and manpower was understandably emotional, but the situation offers critical insights.

The lessons of not only Iraq and Katrina, but Afghanistan as well, are that no significant decisions of government can occur in isolation. The recent public opposition to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has brought the argument back that the U.S. shifted its focus from the Al-Qaeda Network in Afghanistan to Saddam Hussein's Iraq. In Time Magazine, Marine Lieutenant General Greg Newbold expressed his frustrations with Secretary Rumsfeld's Pentagon; frustrations that led to his early resignation four months prior to the March 2003 start of Operation Iraq Freedom. He writes, "I now regret that I did not more openly challenge those who were determined to invade a country whose actions were peripheral to the real threat-Al-Qaeda."

This weekend saw the release of another video of Osama Bin Laden, broadcast this Sunday on the Arab Satellite Network, Al-Jazeera. Judy Pasternak of the Los Angeles Times writes, "In the new tape, however, he said the Western public shared responsibility for the actions of their governments because they 'are renewing their allegiance to its rulers and master'€" an apparent implication that civilians could be targeted." The last video of Osama Bin Laden was released in January. It is a reminder of our failure to capture of kill the Al-Qaeda leader. "Frankly, I'm very dissatisfied that we haven't brought him to justice, and I think it has to be a top priority," Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, told CNN.

While intelligence analysts were analyzing the Osama Bin Laden video, significant political action was taking place in Iraq. John Negus of the Financial Times writes, "With the selection of Islamist leader Jawad al-Maliki as prime minister-designate, Iraqi politicians face the task of putting together a national unity government in a country where both state and society are frayed by months of sectarian violence." U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Kalilizad told CNN on Sunday, "The problem that Prime Minister Jaafari ran into was that the Kurds and Sunni Arabs rejected him. These two groups have welcomed Mr. Maliki." He will spend the next month preparing a cabinet that must be approved by the Parliament. The move represents a significant hurdle overcome, but the "long hard slog" continues. On Wednesday April 19 Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice addressed the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations.

She said, "Americans must be prepared for violence to continue in Iraq, even after a government is formed. There will be no Iraqi equivalent of V-E Day or V-J Day," Rice said, referring to the days of Victory in Europe and Victory in Japan in 1945. Successful counterinsurgency is the aggregate of many efforts meeting the economic, political, security, and social needs of the civilian population.

Outlook

The world we are faced with is a demanding one. It is important to realize with challenge comes opportunity. The university continues to take steps to ensure students understand our changing global reality. The Study Aboard program continues to grow in the number of options it offers. More and more interdisciplinary and team-taught courses are offered to test student's abilities. Regis has brought in people of great experience and expertise to address the university. Just this spring we had former Polish President Lech Walesa. The pace of this world is great, but their will consistently be places for people of can think "outside the box" and make things happen. Take advantage of the opportunities that the University has to offer. Dayton Memorial Library is a great place to start in order to understand the uncertain world that you will be called upon to serve.

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