Be it hereby resolved that the Bainbridge Island community, as expressed through a declaration of its duly elected city council, does firmly and
wholeheartedly believe:
War: No!
War: Yes!
War: Well, maybe yes and maybe no, but certainly not unless diplomatic efforts completely break down, or the United Nations signs on, or a cache of anthrax is found near Baghdad, or perhaps if the price of foreign oil gets unbearably high and we need some new “offshore” reserves, but then again, not if the president is just trying to divert attention from an ailing economy and other
domestic problems. Or maybe we’re just not quite sure…
That is to ask: How, precisely, would we describe islanders’ collective view of our current international crisis?
Truth is, even as we reflexively divide ourselves into pro-peace or pro-war camps, there are countless nuances to the debate over America’s foreign policy and the impending conflict with Iraq. And regardless of our individual views, it is incumbent that we keep the fabric of our island community tight and intact.
So in declining to take a stand on the war, our city council – whether through wisdom or trepidation (or a little of both) –- is making the right choice.
As reported in this issue, the council apparently will not consider a formal resolution against administration plans to wage war on Iraq and topple its government. In a committee meeting Thursday, members cited the desire to represent all island constituents, and questioned the propriety of the council taking a stand on such issues.
While these sorts of resolutions and declarations have a certain emotional appeal to proponents, they are generally on issues extraneous to the city, are divisive, or simply waste everyone’s time. We recall six or seven years ago, the council was asked to consider a resolution supporting the medicinal use of marijuana. The issue turned into a sideshow, with Seattle television crews descending on the council chambers to cover what they misunderstood to be the local legalization of pot. The council chose not to vote on the issue.
More recently, for reasons that elude us now (and probably did then), the council weighed in with a resolution opposing “unfunded mandates” imposed by the state. The resonance of that bold statement could be felt for seconds.
What of the war? It is a matter of profound gravity. And with or without council agreement, all islanders enjoy freedom to speak and act their conscience. Hundreds trekked across the water last weekend for the massive demonstration through the streets of Seattle, while those who support the Bush administration’s policies have participated in gatherings of their own. Several groups hold ongoing observances on Winslow Way. And then there was the excellent Portrait for Peace, much more forceful and eloquent than any governmental pronouncement.
As citizens, we can and should speak for ourselves.
