Second in a series of three evening forums that are envisioned for each of the months of January, February and March to explore the War in Iraq from the perspective of Simsbury and Farmington Valley area residents. Each of the forums will consist of panelists who will present a range of positions from supportive of the current policy to opposed to current policy. A moderator will be used to keep the discussing moving forward.

We would like to get a cross-section of area residents to join in the dialogue: public citizens, elected officials, veterans, members of emergency services and especially high school students.

A moderator will record areas where disputes about facts become disruptive so that they can be researched and discussed at a subsequent forum. The proposed agenda for the February 14th forums is as follows:

Second Forum (January 10th 7:30 – 9:30 at Boy Scout Hall, Simsbury)

Statements from each of the panel participants on what are the goals of the current involvement in Iraq are and what the United States involvement should be including:

-What is the meaning of the word “democracy” we use so frequently
-US Support for “democracy” throughout the Middle East
-Definition of the words “Free” and “Freedom” as applied to Iraq
-Terrorism as a “police” problem vs. a “military” problem
-Iran’s right to safe and secure national borders

Questions from the audience will be welcome.

We would like to hear from people that would like to be panelists whether they support the current policy in Iraq or not.

http://www.westhartfordpeace.org/simsbury.html

For an audio of the January 10th Simsbury Dialogue:

http://www.hopeoutloud.org/simsbury_audio.html