The Trojan Horse

“OK EVERYONE … QUIET DOWN … AND HAVE A SEAT!” roared Peter Ryan, VP of Academic Programs at Mid-State Community College. “We have some important and exciting news to share. I called this meeting to let everybody know about a great opportunity we’ve been given. The college will be starting an interesting new program at this location within the next two or three months. I’m excited to report that we have been selected to host an International training program that will train hundreds of Iraqi soldiers in the English language and in Western customs. Our Grants Department has been working feverishly to secure this program and the sizeable government grant that goes along with it.” Andy and Lindsey, who had been employed by this small southern college as instructors in History and Physics, sat with their colleagues in the college’s auditorium when the announcement was made. Dr. Ryan continued, “in addition to their training, there are other specifications to this contract. The Iraqi soldiers will be given certain special privileges along with diplomatic immunity. They will be allowed to practice the customs of their native country and their particular religion while they are in the U.S. with no interference. The training will last for several months and will include several different groups over several years.” “Why here?” a concerned voice asked as the crowd began to murmur.

“The United States will be selling several military aircraft to Iraq as a part of our efforts to strengthen the relationship between the two countries and to assist them in creating an Air Force. A condition of the sales agreement is that the pilots and the support personnel for this particular aircraft will be trained here in the States.” “But why our school?” another concerned voice said as the murmuring got louder. “OK, let’s calm down! Our school’s Administration requested the program and the sizeable grant that goes along with it; and we got it. As you know enrollment has been down for the past couple of years so we decided that this would be a great way to utilize our faculty and bring in some badly needed revenue,” Dr. Ryan replied as he walked from behind the podium. “I personally am very proud of this opportunity. We were selected from hundreds of applicants. This program will bring a lot of resources to the College and much needed income to our town with the housing needs and the food that will be required for these foreign students.” “And it’ll bring terrorists and murderers to our country and our community,” Andy said as he stood up. “How is the government going to insure the security of our school and the community?” “Now hold on. Let’s not get over zealous. These will be Allied soldiers coming here so there shouldn’t be any problems! You have nothing to be afraid of!” Dr. Ryan replied as he tried to quiet the murmuring.

“Yea I know about ‘friendly Allied soldiers’. My best friend from High School was shot in the back by a ‘friendly Iraqi soldier’ while in the ‘safe zone’ over in THEIR country, and now we want to bring them here?” Andy said as he sat back down in his seat.

“Listen! The Iraqi government as well as our own government has assured us that these student-soldiers will be checked out completely and we will also have one of our own staff check them out. It’s going to happen whether you like it or not, so if you can’t deal with it, you might just want to LEAVE! And I’d like to see YOU, Mr. Andrews, in my office!” Dr. Ryan said as he stormed off the stage. “Well, I guess Dr. Ryan didn’t like your comments,” Lindsey said as she stood up. “No, and I’m not through yet!” Andy said as he got up to leave.