War and Peace- Students' Views
How do students on La Salle's campus feel about the war?
La Salle University senior Joe Gauger gazed pensively at the ceiling of the commuter lounge in La Salle’s student union. He now knew how difficult a decision President Obama faced on whether or not to send 40,000 additional American troops to Afghanistan. Absentmindedly running his fingers through his hair, Gauger answered the proposed question with a hint of hesitation. Despite being one of the more politically well-informed students on La Salle’s campus, Gauger could not reach a decision on whether he supported or opposed additional troops.
“I’m ambivalent about it,” Gauger said, adding, however, “I don’t think it’s worth it to fight a war in retribution if it’s not going to make America more secure.”
Gauger’s particular position echoes that of many La Salle students’--uncertainty.
Briana Randolph, a freshman criminal justice major, wasn’t sure how she felt about the impending troop increase. “[Obama] does a lot of stuff I don’t see,” Randolph said, adding that despite her faith in Obama, she didn’t know what to think about the war in Afghanistan.
Amidst the uncertainty, student views seem split about which way they are leaning with regard to General Stanley McChrystal’s request for more troops in Afghanistan. Many leading officials are as unsure of what to do as college students are. Vice President Joe Biden thinks America should focus its war effort on Pakistan via aerial drones and Special Forces operations.
Many students, though, supported the potential decision to send additional forces to Afghanistan.
Junior political science major David Crowley said a stronger military presence would result in the potential for the Afghan people to forge a strong central government. However, Crowley admitted that a military increase alone would not solve all of the problems in the area. Crowley alluded to the United States being under scrutiny of the rest of the world saying, “Whether we are successful or not will be known for years, depending on how well the Afghan government can control the country when we leave.”
For other students like freshman Bridget Toi, the cause for support was much closer to home.
“I have friends fighting in the war,” she said. “If they’re out there fighting for a cause, then I’m going to support that.”
Students on the other side had equally strong views.
“Isn’t Obama supposed to be bringing troops home?” asked Brett Shepard, a freshman criminal justice major. “I don’t think 40,000 troops are necessary,” he said.
Those against the decision also cited personal reasons. Sean Kennedy, a junior at La Salle, realizes that increasing the troop number in Afghanistan only puts more troops at risk. “I’m worried about my friends,” said Kennedy, who has friends in the Army currently deployed to Afghanistan.
Aside from their particular viewpoint, several students acknowledged the fact that the situation in Afghanistan would only worsen if the United States began to pull out.
“We might as well finish it,” said Sabrina Grafenberg, a sophomore business major. “It’s too late, it’s gone too far.”
Senior history major and future Marine Corps Officer Matthew Gordon spoke critically of the idea to withdraw from Afghanistan. “To back out would be cowardice, counterproductive and give the enemy a sense of accomplishment,” he said.
Patrick Durison, a 19-year-old nursing major from Northeast Philadelphia, attributed the current situation in Afghanistan to political blunders.
“I think it’s a lot of failed politics,” he said. “I don’t feel we should have been involved in the first place, but now since we’re already so involved it’s like we’re stuck now.”
Despite mixed sentiment regarding Obama’s impending decision, students were able to see just how heavily Obama’s acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize factored into the situation.
Regardless of their stance on troop movements, most students were opposed to the Nobel Committee’s decision.
Senior history and English Major Mark Natale had much to say about the issue.
“I think if he sends 40,000 [troops] he should reject the award,” he said. “If Obama wants the prize to be legitimate, it will affect him. Even if he decides that 40,000 troops is the best option for America, it goes against what was in Alfred Nobel’s will – the reduction of standing armies in the world.”
By the same token, however, junior communication major Rich Liebig sees the award as “a sign from Europe that they want this war to end.”
Contributors: Matt Patrick, Luke Harold, Steve Helm, Caitlin Honan, Alex Bourgeois, Dan Brightcliffe, Nick Iuele.
