Would you like to work for yourself?

rJanuary 29, 1991 THE VISTA •

What does American mean?

Before the last word of my comment crossed what you're talking about." They left shortly my tongue, the woman seated across thereafter. from me at a table in University Center I honestly thought about what they'd said. True, turned slightly red and tried to hide the flow of hot I don't have any relatives over in the Middle East. tears running down her face. Her emotion, clearly True, the soldiers are putting their lives on the line. skin deep, was as sensitive as the hair on the back I understood their reasons for supporting the war. of your arms. I had unknowingly rubbed it the What shook my foundation was their calling me wrong way. un-American and saying I had no right to oppose Another woman, seated to the left of the other, the war, and that I didn't know what I was talking sat ramrod stiff, her face color a barometer for her about. anger. To me, being American means having the right They had both asked my opinion of the war in to voice your opinions and beliefs. Whether somethe Middle East. Matter-of-factly I voiced it. Not one else agrees with them or not is unimportant. with malice, not with vehemence, not with As an American, I have the right to my own set of emotion—just told them as easily as I tell my husvalues and to stand-up for them. band it's garbage day. I know as much about the war as they do. As "You have no right to oppose the war," said the much as anyone can know about what's going on woman in tears. "Those men are fighting for lib8000 miles from home. As much as our governerty and democracy. They're putting their lives on ment allows to filter down to the public. the line to make sure we don't lose ours-our way To me, and this is my opinion, it's more unof life." American to oppose free speech and the free flow M Her ire to the bursting point, the other woman glared at me. of ideas than to say, "I oppose the war." Be careful, America. If Americans begin think"You disgust me," she said through clenched ing as those two women do, then hasn't Saddam teeth. "I have a relative over there and I know what Hussein accomplished what Hitler couldn't ... the this war is all about ... anyone who doesn't back destruction of liberty on American soil? President Bush is being un-American ... you don't —Jo Pydynkowsky have any right to oppose the war ... don't know student

Student in favor of war effort

Iam writing in regard to a letter you published My only brother is a staff sergeant in the United Jan. 22, which attacked President Bush and States Air Force, currently serving in Saudi Arhis actions in the Mideast Crisis. The ignorabia. I am very proud of him and support President ance of the small minority which protests this war Bush's decision to use force against Saddam Husis very embarrassing. Do these people have any sein 100 percent. idea what is really going on? Well, it's time to I take these protestor's comments and actions as wake up!!! an insult to my brother, my family and my coun

Yes, this war does involve one of our most valutry. How can any individual claim to support our able resources: oil. Our entire economy evolves troops but not the war? around this resource, as well as the products proPride in your country's armed forces should not duced from it. come with strings attached and stipulations.

Do these protestors also realize the large perTherefore, any protest is unacceptable and disrecentage of this natural resource the entire world spectful to the people who have fought in the past depends upon from this small country called Kuand who are fighting today to allow all of us to be wait? If a man like Saddam Hussein is allowed to able to voice our opinions so freely. maintain control of Kuwait, he will then have a As for you flag burners: I dare you to burn one hand in our own economy. Is that what we want? in the presence of our troops, my family, my

Our troops are not just over there for the ecofriends or myself, not to mention the vast majority nomics of the situation, but also for the atrocities of Americans who support this effort to remove which Saddam Hussein has committed against inSaddam Hussein from power. If the American nocent people for his own sick ego. His actions policies upset you so, I have an idea. Take an excannot go unnoticed or be allowed to continue. tended vacation in Iraq! And don't come back.

As Americans we are supposed to believe in doOur country is better off without you and your ing "the right thing" and this is the right thing. poor representation of what it is to be an Hussein must be stopped and we have the power to American! do that. Let's see how long you last over there voicing

Our military is the best and they need our supyour opinions about war, or any subject for that port. This is a time when, as a nation, we all should matter. put aside our differences and represent America as —Name withheld a whole. by request

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Officer says ROTC cadets wait, watch

By Saundra Frantz Student Writer

The war in the Gulf hasn't changed the approach of ROTC training programs at Central State University, however, the students are faced with challenging problems, according to Lt. Col. Gene Heintz, of Central States ROTC.

War is not something new and for years the United States has been preparing to defend itself against the worst of enemies, said Lt. Col. Heintz. The university's ROTC unit trains cadets to defend the U.S. and even in times of peace it's an intense job taken very seriously, said Lt. Col. Heintz.

Even though the program itself hasn't changed some of the students attitudes have, Lt. Col. Heintz said.

Many of the students have friends and family serving in the gulf and, as with anyone, it weighs on their minds, an ROTC cadet said.

Those who serve in the Army Reserves or National Guard have the pressure of waiting to see if their unit will be the next called By Corina Ormsbee Student Writer

As missiles explode across the Mideast some Central State University students watch and worry about the safety of their friends, family and civilians who have been caught in a desert storm. "Innocent people being killed, I don't like that. Civilians are innocent," said Hassan Hussein, a sophomore from Saudi Arabia.

Hussein's father works for the Arab American Oil Company near an airport the Air Force uses. Hussein believes politicians are often and for some that means not fmishing the semester, said Lt. Col. Heintz.

Along with these types of challenges comes a change of attitude. "I think there's a greater sense of urgency on their part to learn it." Lt. Col. Heintz, said.

While the challenges placed on students are enormous the ones already serving in Operation Desert Storm have the greatest challenge and our support as a nation means a great deal, said Lt. Col. Heintz. Too much support, however, can also cause problems.

The current rate of mail being sent overseas is creating a backlog since plane space is down due to shipment of equipment. "No one's complaining it's just overwelming the system," Lt. Col. Heintz said. The military is receiving 12 pounds of mail each day for each individual serving in Operation Desert Storm, said Lt. Col. Heintz.

For the next 3-4 weeks the military is requesting people to refrain from sending packages and instead send letters, Lt. Col.Heintz

War touches many

said.V the cause of disagreements between nations. He also said he does not think Iraq will further aggression toward Saudi Arabia. "What causes the problems are politicians," Hussein said. "I don't hate anybody for his beliefs or his color."

Jessica Pereira, a freshman from the United Arab Emirates, which borders Saudi Arabia, is not only worried about her father, who works for the UAE military but is worried about her country as well. "If Saddam attacks Saudi and gets Kuwait, the Middle Eastern countries are in danger," Pereira said. V