Medal of Honor recipient Tibor Rubin

Tibor Rubin today and back then.

Every once in a while, I'm reminded of what a proud thing it is to have been part of the U.S. Army.

From Military.com: Extraordinary Heroism: Tibor Rubin
From Stars and Stripes: After a half-century, Korean War hero is awarded the Medal of Honor

Obviously, Mr. Rubin didn't have the Medal of Honor in May 2000, so I don't know if he was at the Korean War 50th Anniversary celebration in Seoul, but if he was, I wonder if I saw him when I was a driver-escort for MoH recipient COL Lew Millett.

27DEC15 add: RIP.

- Eric

The importance of Narrative or Yes, the Pro-Defeat crowd does worry me.

Kris of "Reflections of a Libertarian Republican" is one of the few who see the threat that I see. He reacts to the Sept 24 anti-American rallies in his blogpost Anti-War Rally in D.C.: Speakers Label Bush "War Criminal"; Call for Impeachment:

The massive scale of the rally was an indication of how much angst there is in the country, as well as an indication of how much hatred there is of the Bush Administration with its approval ratings around 40 percent. A head-in-the sand response from Republicans is inadequate. The opposition is very motivated.

Also read Christopher Hitchens' article: Anti-War, My Foot.

For a democratic society, the Narrative is immensely important in shaping collective action and promoting the collective will. The anti-American propaganda and psy-ops machine scares me - more so when the voice of support, the 'Why We Fight' message, is deafeningly silent in America. Since September 18, 2001, the day I attended the ISO meeting in Hamilton Hall that proclaimed 9/11 as their opportunity to resume the anti-American "revolution", I've been scared. From 2001 to 2003, I tried to make Students United for America that voice of support on campus and it was successful as a beacon of support. SU4A (now 'suA') has since changed to a non-confrontational format. They're not alone. These days, every qualified source of pro-mission support on campus stays quiet to avoid the pain of squaring off against the well-financed, unscrupulous, unregulated and aggressive pitbull guard dogs of the ISO.

The trend seems to be for the majority of mission supporters, both the ones I know personally and the ones I read on the blogosphere, to attempt to dismiss or minimalize the anti-American entities who are operating openly and professionally within our country and on the global market. Is that by strategy or are their heads buried in the sand? It would be nice to believe it's strategy, but I go with the latter. It seems almost to be a wilful denial of events. It smacks of the same boxed-in mentality that led ROTC supporters in Spring 2005 to believe lack of attendance at the pre-vote ROTC events boded well for us. When I warned them that the absence of senators was a bad sign for us, they couldn't understand. Not to mention that the majority of the same set of ROTC supporters failed to produce a basic level of activist support, things as simple as sustained postering and tabling, despite their promises and despite the fact they only needed to commit themselves for less than a month - the "sprint" to the senate vote. It draws from the same boxed-in mentality that even today, after all we've been through together, dismisses the ISO and fails to recognize their global threat, strategy and mission. Worst of all, despite my prodding, they seem to have abdicated their place - their voice - as campus entities to project support for our nation's missions and our champions. Unlike my side, the ISO truly understands what it means to "think globally and act locally". Their pro-defeat Narrative has spread far more pervasively in our society than most on my side will admit.

On September 11, 2001, I promised myself I would do something, and I chose socio-cultural reform of society via a grassroots movement at Columbia. I sacrificed a large part of my academic potential at Columbia in order to create a vehicle for pro-American, pro-mission, pro-military support. If I could do it over, I would stay within myself and join ROTC or re-enlist with the Reserves. I would abandon this university to its reductive yet arrogantly self-satisfied vision of itself, and do what everyone else does here - get out of Columbia with whatever I can get for myself. No SU4V-SU4A-suA, no ROTC movement and by extension, no CMS and MilVets.

Is this blogpost an overdose of angst and an inability to see the forest for the trees? Maybe, but from where I sit (the Lehman library computer lab in the International Affairs Building, thanks for asking), I feel an awful lot like I've lost my personal battle to reform the hearts and minds of my generation and to steel my people against a passionate, cunning and hungry enemy. I tried and I just wasn't good enough.

- Eric

Where can you find encouraging news from Iraq? Try these sites.

These weblogs are a good place to start looking for encouraging news from Iraq.

Michael Yon's reporting from Iraq.

Arthur Chrenkoff's "Good News from Iraq (and Afghanistan)" series.

The successor to Chrenkoff's blog, Good News from the Front.

A blog from Iraq by Iraqis, Iraq the Model.

- Eric

10/3/05 update: Charlottesvillain, a team blogger on Tigerhawk's blog also recommends Major K, an S2 officer in Iraq, and Training for Eternity, a chaplain's blog, for news from Iraq.

My 9/11 Anniversary at Columbia

Pictured is the sun dial on College Walk, Columbia University, a traditional platform for student speeches, bedecked today for the 4th anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001.


That's me on the sun dial this morning. Butler library is in the background. I had on the FDNY cap I bought after 9/11 and wore for most of my freshman year.

Thanks to Chris Higgins, the current President of Students United for America, and David Mazzuca, the current suA VP, I was able to read the names of the 9/11 killed from the sun dial this morning. Chris' dad is FDNY Lieutenant Tim Higgins, who died in the line of duty 4 years ago. As SU4V's ExecVP, I helped Jen Thorpe organize our 1st 9/11 anniversary events at Columbia, and I was part of the first anniversary name reading. If I graduate on time, today's name reading will be my last participation in a 9/11 anniversary as a NYC college student.

I was fortunate enough to be reading the names as our chapel bells tolled for the 1st Tower collapse. I saluted the American flag on Low plaza as the bells tolled again for the 2nd Tower collapse. The salute was for, first, our firefighters and police who died as heroes on 9/11, and then for all our champions at home and overseas who have been sent into the fight since that day.

Vaya con Dios, nuestros campeones.

- Eric

MilVets at Columbia Activities Day Fair

That's Jim, the MilVets Secretary and a former Marine. Pictured is our group's information table at the Activities Day Fair on College Walk, Columbia University, Friday, September 9, 2005.

- Eric

My mission for Students United for America

In the 2002-2003 academic year, I wrote this Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.) for Students United for America to compensate for our antiquated Mission Statement (archived), which had defined the group as a reaction to the attacks of September 11, 2001. The original mission statement expressed a noble goal, but one unsuited to a long-term organization with a broader agenda. This FAQ's purpose was to define our transition from Students for Victory (SU4V) to Students for America (SU4A). Enjoy.

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Students United for America at Columbia University
Frequently Asked Questions, Spring, 2003.

“Let us stand with a greater determination. And let us move on in these powerful days, these days of challenge, to make America what it ought to be. We have an opportunity to make America a better nation.”

- Martin Luther King, Jr.

1. What does your group stand for?

The Students United for America (SU4A) does not confine itself to any single ideological, religious or political affiliation. The SU4A is defined, instead, by its core values, the guiding principles of Patriotism, Unity, a stronger, better America, and the conviction that diversity is America’s great strength.

2. What is Patriotism?

In the SU4A, our personal conceptions of Patriotism are as unique as our members. Each in our own way, we are dedicated to the welfare of our country and the American people. Patriotism is not, as it is often characterized, unconditional or blind support for the American government and its decisions. We firmly believe that it is our duty as Columbia students to critically explore the best ways to ensure America’s future, even if that means we disagree with our government.

3. Why did your group form and what purpose do you hope to achieve?

The group began after the terrorist attacks of 9/11 as Students United for Victory (SU4V), a grassroots effort by Columbia students to promote the solidarity of all Americans in supporting our country’s efforts to defend the American people from terrorism at home and abroad. We are committed to supporting America’s fight against terrorism for the duration.

But more is needed from us. 9/11 awakened us to the dangers and challenges confronting America in an increasingly complex, uncertain world. As Students United for America, we embrace our shared responsibility to the American people. We expect that, guided by our core values, our experiences in the SU4A will prepare us for our future role as leaders of our nation.

4. Is your group affiliated with any other organizations?

The SU4A is an official member of Columbia’s Student Governing Board. While the group does not maintain a permanent affiliation with any other student or ex-campus organization, we often cooperate with other organizations. In the past, we have co-sponsored events with the University Chaplain, Counseling and Psychological Services, the Columbia University College Democrats, the Columbia College Republicans, the Columbia College Conservatives Club, the Columbia Political Union, the Federalist Society, the Columbia Anti-War Coalition, the United States Military Veterans of Columbia University, the Columbia Alumni United in Support of America, the Princeton Committee Against Terrorism, the Foundation for the Defense of Democracy and the American Civil Liberties Union.

5. Who is eligible to become a member?

Any member of Columbia College, Barnard College, the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, Teachers College, the School of General Studies, any Columbia graduate school, and affiliated faculty is eligible for membership. All people, including those not affiliated with Columbia University, are welcome to attend our events and contribute to our efforts.

6. What kind of people should join the SU4A?

We take great pride in the political, ethnic and religious diversity of our members, and we encourage independent thinkers to join us, no matter where their beliefs fall on the traditional political spectrum. We hope to attract people who feel, as we do, that we have a greater responsibility to our country and to the American people.

7. What are some of your accomplishments?

Our past events include the Rally for America on Dec. 7, 2001, the Civil-Military Affairs discussion with invited military students and Columbia student leaders on Feb. 9, 2002, the Concert for America on March 27, 2002, the ImagineNY workshop on April 20, 2002, the Return ROTC forum on April 28, 2002, the Rebuild New York forum with ImagineNY and Team Twin Towers on Sept. 10, 2002, the Arts Miles Murals Project on Sept 11, 2002, the 9/11 Reflections Room on Sept. 12, 2002, the annual “First Monday” forum with the ACLU on Oct. 7, 2002, the Muslims Against Terrorism forum on Nov. 7, 2002, the Democrats’ Iraq debate on Nov. 24, 2002, the CPU Iraq debate on Nov. 26, 2002 and the Support Our Heroes project. The SU4A has been featured in publications such as the Columbia Spectator, the New York Times, the New York Sun, and the Stars and Stripes.

8. Does your group support military action?

Unfortunately, resorting to military action is at times necessary, and we support the measures that are necessary to combat threats to our nation, including terrorism and the threat of terrorism. With heavy hearts, we accept that those measures will necessitate placing the soldiers, marines, sailors and airmen of our nation’s military, as well as forces at home such as our police and firemen, in harm’s way. We firmly believe, however, that military action should be applied only with utmost wisdom and that military action by itself is not sufficient to resolve the dangers and challenges facing our nation.

9. What are your future goals?

In our own community of Columbia University and on a national level, we will continue to use our standing as students to practice the ideals represented by our core values. We will expand on existing initiatives such as the revitalization of New York City since 9/11, our support of our nation’s fight against terrorism, and our on-going campaign against racism and prejudice. In the best traditions of our university, we will academically address possible improvements to current national policies and issues that affect the fate of the American people, including but not limited to prejudice and human rights. We will promote rational dialogue on campus in place of combative rhetoric and build cooperation among hitherto alienated student organizations. Perhaps our most exciting initiative is the campaign to change Columbia policies that currently victimize ROTC and the military on campus.

10. Where can I learn more about the SU4A?

The SU4A’s official website can be found at http://www.columbia.edu/cu/su4v/.

Feel free to contact President Jen Thorpe (*@columbia.edu), Executive Vice-President Eric **** (*@columbia.edu) or Public Relations Vice-President Scott Zakheim (*@columbia.edu) to find out more about us.

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Also see: Victory & Peace Statements by Students United for America

- Eric

Eric's MilVets shout-out to Shane Hachey

Nicholas De Genova famously called for the "fragging" of US troops and a "million Mogadishus" in a Columbia faculty anti-war demonstration on March 26, 2003. Needless to say, his incitement angered US military veterans in the Columbia University community. The United States Military Veterans of Columbia University (MilVets), comprised of undergraduate and graduate students and university employees, sent this letter to university officials demanding a meaningful institutional response, to include a public apology from De Genova. [Of course, the university refused to make any such request of him, and the professor stood by his call for murder. And why shouldn't he have? After all, Columbia Professor De Genova continues to teach students at Columbia today.]

Who is Shane Hachey? Columbia General Studies class of 2004 and current student at Harvard Law. He's the fellow MilVets member who worked with me late into the night and the next day to write and refine the final version of the letter. It's fine work, a true team effort. Shane has my respect, and he deserves a heck of a lot of credit that he doesn't receive in the letter itself. In my blog-world, Shane gets it. Enjoy.

Read the 04APR03 MilVets letter to Columbia University protesting Professor De Genova's actions here.

- Eric


9/12/05 Update: My thank you to Shane has been edited, thanks to the feedback of 2 of my fellow Columbia milvets. I'll just say, beware the negative spotlight, especially when it's unnecessary and unintentional.