War or peace? Bomb Iraq or keep searching for nuclear weapons? Use military force or negotiate? This seems to be the topic of every political discussion, but I have yet to encounter a person who has a strong opinion either way, myself included. There are obvious advantages and downfalls to each situation, and no clear solution in sight.

Times like these make me either want to refer to the simplistic grade-school mentality of, “Why can’t we all just get along?” or become a recluse in the foothills of Canada with the company of my 17 cats until this political situation culminates, or blows over.

However, there exists a group so adamant about its anti-war protests, its members are willing to die for their cause. Human Shields, a U.S.-originating group of roughly 60 volunteers, ranging from a 19-year-old factory worker to a 60-year-old former diplomat, are assembled for the sole purpose of trekking through Iraq and positioning themselves in highly populated areas in hopes of preventing the United States from using military force via bombs.

While this seems like a novel idea, and I highly admire the effort, I can foresee some predicaments the Human Shields might have forgotten to work out before embarking on a suicide tour across the Middle East.

The most important of these oversights is that this has all happened before, with devastating consequences. According to CNN, in 1990, and precluding the Persian Gulf War, Iraq seized thousands of Western hostages and placed them in strategic sites to act as, you guessed it, human shields. Peace-loving figures such as Jesse Jackson and Muhammad Ali did so much as to travel to Baghdad in December of 1990 to beg for their release, and four months later the hostages were all liberated safely, but not without extenuating effects. Upon return most victims suffered from some form of post-traumatic stress or depression.

I am wondering why the Human Shields think they will be immune from a similar fate. Political figures probably won’t be as quick to defend them since they voluntarily put themselves in danger. And with the times becoming a giant ironic recurrence of the Persian Gulf War, within the scope of Saddam Hussein’s reign is almost certainly the last place I would want to be.

The Human Shields also argue they are putting themselves in the shoes of Iraqi civilians by living in their cities and going on hunger strikes. Kenneth Nichols O’Keefe, leader and founder of the Human Shields, quotes, “We will run the risk of being maimed or killed, but it is simply the same risk that innocent Iraqis will themselves face.”

They face these risks because they have no choice; given the chance, I’m sure they would jump on the first boat out of there and never look back.

Human Shields also have exceptionally outrageous goals. As of now, they are 60 strong, composed of activists from the United States, Canada and Europe. While journeying through highly populated and politically charged countries such as Turkey and Jordan, they plan to rally an extra 10,000 volunteers with only two double-decker buses and a white peace flag.

Maybe the objective of the Human Shields is the most extreme. “What we are intending to do is to make it politically impossible for President Bush and Tony Blair to have this war,” explained Joe Letts, father of four and proud Human Shields member.

When we were nine and our parents and teachers boosted our confidence by telling us we could make a difference and change the world, I don’t think they meant make yourself into a moving target in enemy countries. But this is exactly what the Human Shields are trying to do —change the world or die trying.

Finally, I question the underlying motives of the Human Shields’ founder and coordinator, Nichols O’Keefe. Though a former U.S. Marine and Gulf War veteran, he has renounced his U.S. citizenship. He claims his war experience left him disillusioned and is now an advocate against foreign intervention. He also wants to return to Iraq in hopes of apologizing to the Iraqis for his actions during the Persian Gulf War.

This guy just might be a few bricks short of a full load, and the last time people followed a leader like him they were looking to rendezvous with the Hale-Bopp comet.

In conclusion, Human Shields have an intense way to protest war, but are not without weaknesses. Hopefully as an American public, we can be better informed and come up with some sounder ways to have our voices heard.

Ashley Pierson is a senior in finance from Forest City.