Two Wrongs

I enjoyed the Cairo streets at night. On Mondays after volunteering at a local NGO, my friend Theo and I would wind through the neighborhood on our way home. We discussed many things during these walks, one time we even stopped for tea with a local gate keeper. Another night we spent our walk back discussing Iran's nuclear program. Modesty shrugged for a moment, I believe our conversation accurately represented the debate on this issue. I argued that while there remains some uncertainty, it is reasonable to assume that Iran is developing nuclear weapons - and not nuclear fuel as they claim - while Theo argued, even if they were, who are we to tell them to cease and desist?

Which brings me to a conversation I had last night. I was debating government funded student aid with Dale. I argued that this was an important resource for students who otherwise wouldn't have the means to attend school. Dale argued that if it were not for the availability of these loans, college tuition would be lower in the first place.

Both situations are examples of short term solutions to long term problems (debt ceiling anyone?). I agree, denying Iran its right to build nuclear weapons while we caress thousands of our own is absurd. Yet consider this; it is too late for those with nuclear weapons not to develop them, that ship has sailed. The process for disarmament is slow and delicate, but it has begun and will hopefully continue as the decades advance. However, those who have not yet built their weapons can be stopped before it's too late. This does not have to be an issue of arrogance. Arresting the development of another nuclear weapon, no matter the creator, combats a global threat.

Iran, if you're listening, I can understand your frustration but what I do not like is exercising a dangerous right just because you can. Take a page from South Africa's book and say, yes we could choose to build nuclear weapons but instead we will abdicate our right and choose not continue down this dangerous path. Just because you have the right to own a gun, doesn't mean you should. Certainly the argument that someone else has one so you should have one too shouldn't make it past the kindergarten doors.

In terms of college loans, if the government is responsible for creating a system in which tuition rises artificially, then students need aid more than ever. Sure, I would like to see higher education prices come down significantly, but until then let's not abandon those living in the reality of the current system. More and more we will see our short term solutions be incongruous with our long term goals. This is okay as long as we work to ensure long term strategy. We can hold the flood gates shut with one hand, but let's make sure we are turning off the faucet with the other.