Vandalism prompts questions of culprits' motivation

ally, just letters in the parking lot;' Hodgeman said in an article in Eastem's student newspaper. "I could tell that they spelled 'Eastern University."' similar confusion, saying, "Complitated emotions, including resentment, are experienced by dead soldiers' families who do not support war in Iraq; some say they wanted to be part of peace protests, but did not want to show lack of support for troops."

According to the same article, it cost Eastern between $3,000 and $4,000 to replace the stolen letters.

"I think the protest was good They went about it peacefully and respectfully. The students were exercising their constitutional right to free speech," Iadarola said.

Krista Mickalowski

One aspect of the protest that Mickalowski would disagree with, was that it was conducted respectfully. "I was disgusted when the protest happened on campus, not because they were protesting, but because they were doing it in such an inconsiderate manner," Mickalowski said.

She felt as if the demonstrating students were mocking the soldiers. "It is one thing to have a peaceful sit down or a march around school. It is another to lay on the ground mimicking the vie- rims of war." Mickalowski said.

Agreeing with Iadarola on the subject of confusion among the protestors, she said, "I think people are too quick to protest before knowing the facts about something. People think with their own emotions before rationally weighing out each side and learning other people's perspectives."

Mickalowski believes that a "distinct line" exists between those who know the issues and those who do not. About Iadarola's time as a college student, Mickalowski "thinks that [they] were much more passionate about serving as well as protesting. The protestors then really had their facts straight and believed in everything they were protesting."

If the opportunity arose for her to protest, she would do it in a way that was inoffensive and not hurtful toward other people. "I would maybe have a prayer service or an educational seminar. I wouldn't lay on the ground pretending to be heroes of war who were killed for the very people laying there."