Newspapers / Brevard College Student Newspaper / Dec. 10, 1990, edition 1 / Page 1
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CLAEJON Brevard College, Brevard, N.C. Monday, December 10, 1990 Volume 58, Number 5 Majority oppose war but willing to fight by the Editors with Clarion staff reports The beginning of a new semester at Brevard could mean the beginning of a frightening chapter of American history. On Jan. 15, the first day of classes at BC, the United States could con ceivably be at war with Iraq. That's the United Nations deadline date given to Saddam Hussein to get out of Kuwait. How do BC students feel about this? Based on a survey taken by Clarion staffers, a majority of BC students are against the U.S. going to war in the Middle East. 61 percent of those polled said they were against the U.S. taking military action, while 27 percent said they were in favor of attacking Iraq now. Another 11 percent said the U.S. should go to war only as a last resort, or, as freshman Dana Macnamara commented, "only if it will be a war of reason and not of pride." From Dec 4-6, Clarion staffers interviewed 124 students, which is 16.5 percent of the BC student population of roughly 750. When asked "If you were drafted, would you go?" 57 percent said they would serve if called, while 42 percent said they would refuse to go — including five students who responded with the Vietnam Era "Hell no, we won't go!" According to the survey, BC students are split almost 50-50 over their concern about the draft. When asked "Are you worried about the draft? 64 students answered "yes" and 60 said OR 6AGHOAO: BREVARD no. Out of 119 students answering Hostage friends freed, BC f - ■' j tent thinkmc Upon neanng b rvr*.k is oDtimisitic bi another question, 69 said they arc per sonally affected by the developments in the Middle East," meaning they have loved ones or friends in the Middle East, or friends and family in the military in the U.S. who might be sent. The students responded with a variety of answers to perhaps the most important question: "Why do you think we're there? , ,, Fully 38 percent said they thought the US. role in the Middle East was to help secure world peace and to stop aggression. In the words of Jose Llasa, "Our troops are there because of the American awcsome-fixing-everything- intcmational policy." Another 23 percent said U.S. sent troops to protect the oil interests and the U.S. economy. Sophomore Michael VanVuuren said he thinks the U.S. is there because of "gas, national pride. Big Brother policy, boredom, and the defense budget" Sophomore Rick Redmond, who will be shipping off with the U.S. Navy in January, said the U.S. presence served to: "defend the balance of world economy, stand against blatant aggression and cnhance the defense of our allies." Other answers given for why the U.S. is in the Gulf Crisis: 10 students listed "Bush’s policy." seven listed "U.S. pride and/or position," six listed "to protect our nation," five called it "American inter ference, three said it was to boost the U.S. economy, and three more said they either didn't know or didn't care. One even said Uncle Sam was there to "stop Communism." Seven other students said they thought there was "no good reason" for the U.S. being in the Middle East. Not only are students who arc here on this campus exposed to this crisis in the Middle East, BC alumni are participating in Operation Desert Shield. In response, leaders on campus arc in the process of organizing a campus-wide "care package" collection drive for items needed by alumni serving in Saudi Arabia. Collection boxes will be placed about campus at strategic sites. Items neededT»y the uoops include: t)attcnes, flashlights, upes, papcrback books, razors, shaving cream, mirrors, soap, stationery, pens and pencils, playing cards, board games, crossword puzzles - and most of all, letters from home. Perishable items arc not encouraged. Watch for announcements on the matrix board and on the kiosks. The Clarion poll was an unscientific survey conductcd during lunch and supper in the A.G. Myers Dining Hall. by Libby Enloe Clarion Co-Editor For the past three months, Brevard College freshman Derek Bauer religously has kept himself informed as to the unfolding events in the Middle East. Now finally, Derek can unfold himself. Derek, who lived two years in Kuwait, has 17 close friends who, as of Thursday, were held hostage in Iraq. When Derek first heard the news that the hostages would be released , I went outside and screamed," he says. "At first I didn't believe it and then 1 was so excited I thought I was gonna bust," says Derek. " I kept thinking about seeing everyone's face again, he says "People 1 haven't seen, and also it was people 1 didn't know if they were gonna live, and if 1 was ever gonna see them again." For Derek, whose family got out five days before Iraq invaded Kuwait, the last three months have been like "hell..." he says. He continues, ... it s like every day that went by, 1 fell hkc there's this this rope (inside me) and it gets twisted tighter- and now that this has happened," he says, ';.ts come unwound.-l didn't even realize untjl it happened how tight and dc’ad I d felL Upon hearing the good news Thursday, Derek phoned three families (the Fullsomes, in Doylestown, Pa., the Charltons in Fla., and the Rodriguezs in N.M. All three of whom Derek knew in Kuwait) who had loved ones held as hostages and human shields in Iraq. "Mrs. Fullsome," says Derek, "she and Keith, her son, had been crying all morning. It was like some big Christmas present if it works out. The Rodriguezs, they said, they'd beileve it when they see it, because Saddam (Hussein) has not been known to keep his word...and the Charltons, they just Derek is optimisitic but cautious about the future of the crisis in the Gulf. He says, "1 think if he (Saddam) lets the hostages out and keeps his word, 1 think maybe he'll pull out...maybe." He continues, "But !'m angry, 1 mean angry's not the word for it I'm mad as hell at Saddam Hussein." he says. "He's killed a lot of Kuwaitis and Arabs, and if he docs pull out, 1 wish he'd die. 1 wish they'd kill him. "1 don't want us to go to war." says Derek, "but 1 want him to go on worid trial like they did all the Na/is. I mean, 1 hate him."
Brevard College Student Newspaper
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Dec. 10, 1990, edition 1
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