Volume CXXXII, Number 8 November 8, 2002 f

What do Bowdoin students think about war with Iraq?
SARAH BRUSS AND ROSALIND MAY
CONTRIBUTORS

Take a few minutes to look at YOUR opinions concerning the possible war with Iraq.

This survey was distributed to 400 randomly selected students through campus mail on Monday October 21, 2002. Results were collected in a box placed in Smith Union until October 23. Out of 400 surveys distributed, we received 85 responses. Thank you to all of you who took the time to respond.

We conducted this survey with a few goals in mind: First, to give students the chance to make their opinions heard, second, to measure the feelings of Bowdoin students in regards to a possible war with Iraq, and third, to encourage discussion on the possible war with Iraq. Take a look at the results!

The results show that more than half of Bowdoin students disagree with a war with Iraq. More women than men disagree with a war. More Republicans than Democrats support a war, but opinions on the war are not completely linked to party affiliation. If you would like to see more results please contact either of us at sbruss@bowdoin.edu or rmay@bowdoin.edu.

Your comments:

"I believe that the US government has the best interest of its people in mind as it discusses the possibility of war in Iraq. Despite the obvious personal grudges that the current administration holds against Saddam Hussein, I believe that if an attack is to take place, it will be to eliminate a present or future threat against the United States."

"If Iraq does have weapons of mass destruction, attacking them will only give them reason to use them… People's mothers, fathers, children, and friends are not just "collateral damage." There is no justification for civilian casualties, which will occur if there is a war. Most likely, half of such deaths will be children. The proposed war is motivated by oil and Bush's re-election and is a shameless display of U.S. arrogance."

"In order to [have] real peace, peace that people respect and are willing to defend, sometimes you need to go to war. "Peace protests" accomplish nothing and have obscured the true meaning of the word "peace."

"Peace… but why? Not going to war for the wrong reasons is just as bad as going to war for the wrong reasons."

We know these questions and results are a simplified way of addressing the multi-faceted issue of war with Iraq, but make this a springboard that leads to conversations and discussions all over campus! Please come to an informal forum on the possibility of war with Iraq at 8 p.m. Wednesday, November 13, location TBA. Come with questions, opinions, thoughts and emotions or just come if you want to listen to what other Bowdoin students think about war with Iraq. All are welcome and encouraged to come, whatever your views.