California University students voice support for soldiers
CALIFORNIA – While most California University of Pennsylvania students seem to prefer peace to war, students say they fully support the American soldiers facing a war in Iraq. “People shouldn’t criticize the war, because there are thousands of soldiers over there and they are over there for us, so to criticize their efforts, that’s not right,” said Melissa Salisbury, a freshmen from Eighty-Four.
Salisbury has friends serving in the military overseas. She said she is worried about them and supports their efforts, although she doesn’t agree with President Bush’s decision to go to war.
“I don’t think war is necessary. I think we could have settled this another way. I don’t support the war, but I definitely support the soldiers,” said Polly Penich, a Cal U freshmen from Carmichaels.
Salisbury and Penich both agree that although some people do not support Bush’s decision to go to war, Americans should refrain from “bad-mouthing the president” during such a critical time.
On Monday, President Bush said the United States will go to war with Iraq unless Saddam Hussein flees his country within 48 hours, an ultimatum Hussein rejected Tuesday. Bush issued the ultimatum after the United Nations refused to back his bid for a resolution to sanction military force. Now, Bush will move America toward war, accompanied by Britain, Spain and Australia.
Bush warned Americans that terrorists may strike in retaliation, and the government put the nation on orange alert, or “high risk” status.
As Cal U students buzzed around campus Tuesday, they were eager to talk about Bush’s decision to attack Iraq. While most students voiced opposition to the war, their reasons varied.
Many students said they don’t support war with Iraq because they believe the reasons behind the war have been distorted. They said that since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and the search for Osama bin Laden, most Americans don’t even know what the issue is with Iraq.
“I don’t think anyone really knows why we’re going to war,” said Johnny Gallagher, a senior from Pittsburgh.
Gallagher said he has come across many fellow students who do support war with Iraq, but he said he doesn’t believe those in support of the war know what it is they are supporting.
“People for the war don’t have any idea what they are talking about. People think Arab countries are all one country. People are scared and they just want to lash out.”
Maria Wilkerson admits that she is scared and believes that America has no choice but to go to war.
“I think they’ve killed our innocent people and we have to do something about that. I find most people are in support of peace, but I’m afraid that something might happen here,” said Wilkerson, a junior from Donora.
Some students said they just don’t believe war is necessary, while others find it hard to support war when the United States doesn’t have backing from the United Nations.
“I don’t believe all the options for diplomacy have been used to the full extent,” said Heath Vavrek, a junior from Carmichaels. “We spent 60 or so years building the U.N. after World War II for world unity. We have used the U.N. in every conflict since World War II, and now, since they have not backed us, we’ve kicked them to the curb, so to speak. Now the U.N. is useless to us because they don’t agree with us. I think this is the start of dangerous policy.”
Vavrek said he is also reluctant to support a war when allies like France and Germany refuse to ally with the United States on its efforts against Iraq.
“We’ve had great relations with Germany, Russia and France, but now, since they are not backing us, we want to rename French fries and send back the Statue of Liberty. That’s all just ridiculous,” Vavrek said.
Some students say they don’t see the immediate threat of Iraq.
“They say (Hussein) had these weapons of mass destruction since ’91, but he’s never done anything about it. He hasn’t used them, so why do they feel the need to do something about it now?” said Lisa Moore, a freshmen from Herminie, Westmoreland County.
Some students said they don’t agree with the war because they don’t believe the president’s reasons for fighting it.
“I think it’s all over oil. They won’t tell you that, but that’s what it is,” said Brandon Dade, a junior from Brownsville.
“The whole thing is a bunch of B.S., especially when your own allies don’t want to support you. We should have X-ed (Hussein) out the first time. I’m starting to think (Bush) wants to live out his father’s presidency. This is personal. If Iraq has weapons of mass destruction, we gave them to them,” said Robin Brown, a senior from Pittsburgh.
Senior Nate Brown said he doesn’t support the war and feels that while the president concentrates on Iraq, there are other, more threatening countries he should be concerned about.
“I think North Korea is a bigger threat to us than Iraq. Now, if something pops off from them, we’re going to be in trouble. I don’t think we can fight two wars at the same time. We can’t afford it,” said Brown, a junior from Homewood.