THE STORY TO REMEMBER
War in Iraq and the fall of Saddam Hussein
With the country still reeling from the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks and the continuing war in Afghanistan, much emphasis was placed by the administration of George W. Bush on the interests of national security.
In 2002, the focus of the new War on Terror was placed with Iraq and dictator Saddam Hussein’s regime. Saddam was charged with failing to comply with United Nations Resolution 1441 that prohibited Iraq from developing long-range missiles and other weapons.
The case for Iraq built after stubborn exchanges from both the Bush administration and that of Saddam, who continuously denied his country was in possessions of such weaponry. The term "weapons of mass destruction" became much of the charge against Iraq.
Bush repeatedly stressed America would not hesitate from pursuing military action to disarm Iraq if U.N. weapons inspectors were not permitted to continue their work.
Despite claims from inspectors that no such weapons had been found, Secretary of State Colin Powell presented evidence to the contrary at a U.N. Security Council meeting, including a now-famous vial of anthrax.
On March 20, 2003, the United States and its allies – a "coalition of the willing," as President Bush described it – invaded Iraq to disarm the country, free its people and
end Saddam’s support for terrorist activities around the world.
After securing various Iraqi locations and putting Saddam on the run, President Bush declared "Mission Accomplished" and the end of major combat operations in Iraq on May 1.
The move would haunt Bush as a rising insurgency hindered efforts to stabilize the country.
In the early hours of Dec. 13, 2003, US troops targeted a town near Tikrit, Saddam’s birthplace.
Operation Red Dawn was successful in the capture of the deposed president leading to the now-famous utterance "Ladies and gentleman, we got him."
Though insurgencies and attacks on coalition troops have waned since a controversial troop surge in 2007, greater focus has once again been placed on ground operations in Afghanistan.
There have been 4,367 confirmed U.S. troop deaths in Iraq since the operation began six years ago.
TOP STORIES
SARS
It is unfortunate that for many years, our decade has been dogged by pandemics that we didn’t see coming.
The first reported case of SARS appeared to be from China in 2002, but the virus did not gain much notoriety until it spread to other countries.
According to The New York Times, SARS was first identified by the World Heath Organization’s Dr. Carlo Urbani.
He diagnosed a 48-year old businessman with the symptoms who had traveled from China. Urbani, due to his contact with the businessman, later died March 29.
The Times reports SARS spread to thousands within the first six months – a number tame in comparison to what we know about swine flu today.
Due to the increased scrutiny and continual updates about the virus from the health community, the virus was reduced in severity in June.
The outbreak and containment of SARS would forever change the way the world community responded to potential medical threats, priming ways for better communication and spread of intelligence in the wake of the upcoming bird and swine flus.
Space Shuttle Columbia tragedy
The potential for danger in any attempt at space exploration is great.
NASA’s attempt to explore the universe led to terrific discoveries but also the loss of brave astronauts who sought to help further mankind’s knowledge of the cosmos.
In 2003, the seven crew members of the Space Shuttle Columbia lost their lives during re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere.
The mission wasn’t anything special – a routine science mission with the idea of conducting experiments unable to be performed here on Earth.
During liftoff, however, a piece of thermal insulation foam from the ship hit Columbia’s wing, creating a small hole.
It would be this hole that caused the crew to perish. Due to the incredible heat of reentry, flames were able to enter the shuttle through the exposed part of the wing created by the debris.
The ship disintegrated over Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas. Memorials in honor of the astronauts have been placed in Arlington, Va., and on a landing site on Mars.
Other news
California elected the Terminator, Arnold Schwarzenegger, as governor after a special recall election ousted former Gov. Gray Davis. Schwarzenegger now known as "Governator."
Madonna, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera kiss at the MTV Video Music Awards in a scene that would later be replayed countless times on next-day news shows, talk shows and more.
NEWS AT WVU
– President David Hardesty predicts 5 percent tuition increase for 2003-2004 school year.
– West Virginia University debuts biometric security system.
– The FBI begins investigating damage made to a Morgantown mosque. The incident was later deemed an accident, with wintry weather likely a factor.
– Residents evacuated from four-alarm fire at Stadium Apartments.
– Student Recreation Center celebrates its millionth customer.
– Computer equipment stolen from the Creative Arts Center.
– Students protest the treatment of migrant farm workers outside Taco Bell on Patteson Drive.
– West Virginia University coaches fear Title IX changes could have negative repercussions on athletics.
– Voting online for student government elections deemed a success.
– "America’s Most Wanted" host John Walsh speaks as part of the University’s Festival of Ideas series.
– Supporters and protestors of the War in Iraq demonstrate at the Mountainlair and Woodburn Circle.
– Plans are announced for The Square at Falling Run, a "student-friendly village" located across from the Life Sciences Building and the College of Business and Economics.
– Students assigned to Sterling Ridge appointments as part of overflow housing for student residents.
– College Republicans hold rally outside Woodburn Circle to support the troops.
– West Virginia University President David Hardesty announces financial assistance to recently freed prisoner of war Jessica Lynch.
– A new women’s studies degree sparks debate as there is no male equivalent offered on campus.
– Five athletic programs are cut in the wake of Title IX – the rifle team, men’s tennis team, men’s cross country team and men’s indoor and outdoor track teams.
– Students in Sunnyside celebrate "Beerfest," featuring alcohol, live-music and appearances from the police.
– Study Aboard programs to China canceled after SARS outbreak fears.
– A coffee shop is planned inside the College of Business and Economics building.
– Student Health Service increases its fee from $5 to $10.
– Alumni Stuart James and Dave Taylor submit photo from Iraq posing with the Flying WV flag in front of a tank in Baghdad, Iraq.
– Three year leases for Sterling Ridge, Pierpont and Summit Suites Apartments are approved.
– Online billing becomes available through STAR system.
– Explosive item is detonated inside basement of University Ave. sorority house. The explosive was later found to be a homemade firework.
– More professors adopting Mountaineer Information Xpress e-mail system into their coursework.
– Automatic scoring systems installed at Mountainlair bowling lanes.
– Faculty Senate consider reducing the amount of total course hours students can have per semester.
– High speed Internet connections become available to residents of Pierpont and Summit Halls.
– Expanded computer lab in Bennett Hall opens.
– Increased interest in a game against Virginia Tech causes faculty to be considerate of absences on Gameday.
– Students rush-field after game. Some 100 fires are set across Morgantown in reaction to the win.
– Strikes across Kroger stores in West Virginia cause local businesses to increase deliveries.
– Five students expelled, four suspended and 20 face disciplinary action after Virginia Tech game.
– Milan Puskar, co-founder and chair of Mylan Pharmaceuticals, donates $20 million for athletics and academics. Funds will go to help build a soccer stadium and to remodel the Coliseum.
Top 5 Movies (IMDB)
- $377m "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King"
- $339m "Finding Nemo"
- $305m "Pirates of the Carribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl"
- $281m "The Matrix Reloaded"
- $242m "Bruce Almighty"
Top 5 Songs (Billboard)
- Beyonce Ft. Jay-Z – "Crazy In Love"
- Outkast – "Hey Ya"’
- 3 Doors Down – "Here Without You"
- Beyonce ft. Sean Paul – "Baby Boy"
- Kelly Clarkson – "Miss Independent"
BY THE NUMBERS
$1.56 per gallon of unleaded gasoline
1 comments