Students react to first shots

Media Credit: Joe Palmersheim

The war in Iraq began about 8:30 p.m. last night, with air strikes on Baghdad. Students at SCSU seemed almost oblivious to the fact that their country was at war, with TV rooms remaining empty and people going on with business as usual.

But the ones who were watching TV seemed both worried and apprehensive, even though this event was expected to happen anytime after the Wednesday evening deadline Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was given to leave Iraq or face U.S. military action.

"Obviously I'm worried about my parents, because I don't want anything to happen to them," said Megan LaChance, SCSU first year student, "but at the same time I think the Iraqi people should be free because (Saddam Hussein) is so oppressive. At the same time I think we're going about it the wrong way, because from what it seems so far, it's all about Bush and trying to get back for what his father did. He's basically fighting his father's war."

Kara Hjelle, also in her first year at SCSU, was living in Saudi Arabia during the first war. She had a rather unique perspective on the events

"I remember the bomb craters and the damage from the bombs," she recalled of the first Gulf War. Hjelle went on to say that she had an uncle who was in the Middle Eastt in combat.

Most of the students University Chronicle interviewed were too young to remember the first Gulf War in January 1991 or the images from television the first night of the war. For those who did remember, last night's imagery brought back memories.

"I remember the nighttime gunfire," said Dave Mallman, an SCSU sophmore. The night gunfire to which Mallman is referring was broadcast during the first night of the war, taken by a night vision camera, of the anti-aircraft fire over the city of Baghdad.

Students also seemed to speak of the actions approvingly, as if they were just glad to have a clear course of action in front of them.

"I think we're finally doing it," said Setve Mages, another first year student. "We've been waiting for them to go in and get Saddam. I'm just glad they are finally going in there and taking care of stuff. It's cool."

Dave Jones, another freshman, said that he "hoped we wouldn't go to war, but it's happening and there's nothing we can do. Now we just have to support the troops."

When asked whether or not having so much information was a good thing, most of those interviewed said that they approved of knowing what was going on. Others spoke that our enemies could use this information against our own forces, but most simply liked to know what was going on.

"I like the coverage and everything, but I don't think they should capitalize on it so much," Jones said. "It's not a good thing, and it's like their exploiting it I like the information, but I hope it doesn't get too graphic."