News by Erin Cady "We need to count the cost of such an action, and I don't think we as a nation are ready to face those consequences."

Back to Table of Contents | Back to Main Index Previous News | Send mail to The Voice Students disagree about war On Oct. 16, President Bush signed a congressional measure giving him authority to wage war against Iraq. He has not yet gained full backing from the United Nations. Students and faculty show a range of opinions on a potential war against Iraq. Thirty-nine percent said they support the United States declaring war on Iraq. "As much as I don't like sending our own soldiers into war, I think it's essential to national security and safety," senior Jeffrey Shane said. "There is a strong suggestion in the Senate that Saddam was selling nuclear weapons to the Taliban. [Hussein] is a threat to the free world and democracy." "I think they should have finished it 10 years ago," said junior Jeremil Pajel. "I don't want to be nuked first. Action is better than no action because we've already gone through all the other channels, such as diplomacy and inspections, but nothing has worked." "The longer we wait to attack, the stronger they will be when they attack somebody," sophomore Stephen Bohner said. "They're a Muslim stronghold for terrorists." Twenty-six percent of students and faculty oppose war with Iraq. Senior Jesse Calvert said, "I don't think there is enough evidence to go to war. Bush hasn't made his case yet. It would be unwise to go to war at this time." "I don't think going over there and killing all those people because of a few bad organizations is a just cause," freshman Melissa Phifer said. Sophomore Aubrie Woods, whose family is on home assignment from the Middle east, opposes the war. "It would make it very hard for my family to go back to the country as missionaries," she said. Many students at MBC said war is inevitable. Five percent of those polled feel the United States should eventually take action but should hold off until the nation is more prepared. "We need to count the cost of such an action, and I don't think we as a nation are ready to face those consequences," Dr. Richard Calenberg said. "But the consequences of not taking action could be much worse." Dr. Wayne Strickland said, "I think we need to give the United Nations time to impose a new resolution on Iraq to give us unlimited access to their secure sites." Seventeen percent of participants said they were uninformed on the current debate over war with Iraq, and 13 percent were undecided. This poll of 54 MBC students and faculty was taken Oct. 4-8. The students and faculty were randomly picked at the cafeteria and other campus locations. Seven professors were among 23 women and 31 men who participated. Back to Table of Contents | Back to Main Index Previous News | Top Of Page Send mail to The Voice| Journalism department website © 2002 The Voice. No part of this publication may be reproduced in written or electronic form without prior written consent from the journalism adviser of Multnomah Bible College. All rights reserved.