Somewhere deep in the halls of the College of Engineering at the University of Arkansas there’s a lab designing nuclear weapons.
It’s true. We know it because of a publication recently released by ICAN:
“Schools of Mass Destruction: American Universities in the US Nuclear Weapons Complex”
ICAN is the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons. They published this volume in Nov 2019, so it’s not totally out of date. Go to page 31 to find one brief listing of the University of Arkansas as part of a collaboration with the Kansas City National Security Campus, operated by Honeywell Federal Manufacturing and Technology, a well-known weapons manufacturer.
Honeywell has initiated at least ten “Master Collaboration Agreements” with universities since 2015 “to facilitate closer collaboration on research and development of new technology to meet national security needs.” The nature of the UA contract doesn’t seem to be detailed in available public listings.
Who are the Arkansas scientists selling their souls to a nuclear devil?
Tomorrow BTW, is the day the new global ban on nuclear weapons goes into effect. It’s now been signed by 86 nations and ratified by 51 around the globe, but not the United States, or any of the other 4 nuclear nations. A call to end the nuclear madness that we still refuse to acknowledge – in spite of clear evidence of the terrifying potential of nuclear weapons even to nations who possess the weapons .
A quick internet search provides detailed information on the fascinating history of how the world came together to stop nuclear weapons, especially this particular treaty. Wikipedia has a good, succinct overview of the story here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_on_the_Prohibition_of_Nuclear_Weapons
At this point in time it’s critically important, after the past four years of craziness, that the nuclear nations deal with this issue. It’s likely that the tension out of the Trump presidency have created so much distrust that stepping back will be a challenge. But there will never be a time when some would-be hegemon won’t be a threat. The Trump era is over, and it’s time to begin re-engaging with the United Nations and other nations of the world as a rightful partner in democracy and peace, rather than threatening all these things, as that president was wont to do.
What business does our flagship university have swimming in this dangerous steaming caldron? You can join others ready to challenge leadership of UA on this fools’ mission. Tomorrow, Friday January 22 at 11:00 am, in front of the Student Union, there will be an actual in-person rally to ask the university to withdraw from this master collaboration agreement now. Bring relevant posters encouraging wisdom and withdrawal – not name calling – and prepare to safely social distance as we make our concerns known. Masks are required.
This project is not in keeping with the university’s mission to build a better world. Here is the university mission. Where does this noble statement allow our scientists to stoop to creating weapons of mass destruction capable of ending life and civilization?
University of Arkansas — OUR MISSION
The University of Arkansas is determined to build a better world by providing transformational opportunities and skills, promoting an inclusive and diverse culture, nurturing creativity, and solving problems through research and discovery, all in service to Arkansas.
Since 1871, our fundamental purpose as a land-grant institution and state flagship remains unchanged — to serve the state of Arkansas as a partner, resource and catalyst by:
- Providing access to a comprehensive and internationally competitive public education and fostering student success across a wide spectrum of disciplines.
- Utilizing research, discovery and creative activity to improve the quality of life, develop solutions to the challenges we face and drive the state’s economy.
- Contributing service and expertise through outreach, engagement and collaboration.
Our mission provides a broad outline of the work required to achieve our vision – that the University of Arkansas represents the best of public higher education, advancing Arkansas while building a better world.
Peace friends, you know how all our heart-goals have taken a beating over the past four years. A world of peace and justice on a thriving home planet, among people and communities empowered to build a world we truly want to live in and pass on to our children, has seemed ephemeral at best. Now that a moment arrives when those dreams can once again be summoned from the dark closet where we may have laid them, we need to reactivate our peace imaginations again. It’s time, and it’s necessary.
Networks of people and groups across the country are calling today for notice to be taken of this hopeful moment where we face a choice for life or death. Please join us on Friday to open this powerful local peace issue up for thoughtful, honest review.
1 comment