News

War elicits varied viewpoints in campus debate

By Ray Hafner
Senior Staff Writer

In the face of increased bombing attacks on Iraq, UH students proved their diversity Thursday by expressing every possible opinion a person could have on the war.

"Everybody kind of feels half and half," said junior biology student Kim Black. "They support the war because theyire afraid of being bombed, but theyire (also) afraid of bombing innocent (Iraqis)."

The "rally-around-the-flag" effect was in full force, with many students resigned to war and just hoping for the safe return of American troops from overseas.

"They shouldnit be protesting now that we have troops in harmis way," said freshman economics student Neil Biswas, referring to the approximately 300 students who gathered in front of M.D. Anderson Memorial Library for a teach-in.

Biswas supports the war and watched last nightis bombing on TV. He expresses hope that there will be more bombing before American troops are sent in.

Even as bombs fell on Baghdad, some students still refused to give up on diplomacy.

"We could probably figure out a different way to fix it," said Shana Skoronski, a freshman business student. Surprised by the turnout of UH students, Skoromski had with her a copy of a news article about Rachel Corrie, the American activist killed earlier this week in Israel.

"Sheid been trying her hardest just to help people peacefully," said Skoromski, adding that the description of Corrie's bullet-riddled body brought her to tears.

The Israel lobby is strong in the United States, said one Palestinian-American student who wished to remain anonymous. Sporting a shirt that read "Palestinian. American," he said, "Israelis not the only reason; obviously oil is a big part of this."

"Itis idiotic," fine arts junior Larry Hawkins said of the protestors. "They make it look like Bush is greedy when theyire the ones who are greedy. Not to help other countries would be greedy."

Hawkins said the liberation of the Iraqi people is the most important objective of the war.

Many students werenit committed one way or the other.

"I donit know if war is the answer, but we have to do something," said sophomore political science major David Burkley. "We canit allow these forces to go unchecked." Burkley, who also serves in the Student Senate, said he hopes for the most effective and peaceful resolution.

Despite television coverage that showed pro-war and anti-war students yelling at each other, the debates were largely calm, ending with handshakes. Itis doubtful though, that anyoneis mind was changed, noted Frank Sharp, a junior accounting student.

"You can yell back at each other all day, but youive obviously set your views months ago," he said. "No one is going to change your mind."

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