As Afghan sites were
targeted by U.S.
missiles and President Bush reported on Sunday that “we are beginning a new face in our war against terrorism,” the students of QU responded with mixed reactions.
“It’s scary because you don’t know what is going to happen,” said Keri Zodda, a sophomore Mass Communications major. “I really just want it to be over and done with and just go back to normal life, whatever that is.”
The U.S. attacks aimed at strategic locations including terrorist camps and Afghan air bases, and the Taliban command center at the Kandahar airport was first to be destroyed.
“I’m concerned that more lives are going to be lost, that our way of life is going to change drastically, and that we’re not going to have a chance in the future that we all want,” Zodda said.
Other students felt the same way.
“I’m scared this is going to turn into a huge war,” said Melissa Brinley, a sophomore Business major. “Maybe we could have taken another approach to dealing with the main problem.”
Jen Starnes, a sophomore International Business major is a bit divided in her opinions.
“I’m shocked but at the same time I thought they should do something,” she said. “I don’t know if bombing is the right thing to do but it sounds like it.”
According to Bush, Sunday’s strikes were meant to disrupt the ability of terrorist groups to use Afghanistan as a base and to weaken the military capability of the Taliban regime. Bush said action was taken after the Taliban refused to meet several non-negotiable American demands.
“I feel the United States must take action in stopping Bin Laden from any more international terrorist attacks,” said sophomore Rob Brueggemann. “If this means using force against Bin Laden and anyone who supports his actions, I will support our government’s decisions on stopping terrorists at all costs.”
Junior Trish LiBrizzi agreed.
“I support Bush’s decision because we’ve waited for them to comply and give us answers and we haven’t gotten any, but I am worried about what comes next,” she said.
On Sunday, 87 percent out of roughly 140,000 people said on CNN’s web site that they expect another terror attack on U.S. soil.
Most students are not concerned about their own safety here at Quinnipiac, however.
“I feel safe at school. I don’t know why I do, but I feel like we are secure in where we are right now,” said Zodda.
Ashley Russell, a sophomore Legal Studies major, agreed.
“I feel safe here, but I wouldn’t want to live in New York,” she said.
Starnes looked at it a little differently.
“It doesn’t matter where you live, everyone is vulnerable,” she said. “I feel safe at school because we’re not in a big city.”
Russell’s main concern is that Americans are not going to be able to feel safe in their own country.
“They are going to come back at us if we do enough to them,” she said.
Starnes agreed.
“They are going to retaliate back,” she said. “They’re not going to sit there and take this, and I’m just worried about what’s going to happen.”
However, freshman Max Johnson was a bit more optimistic.
“We’ll probably bomb them again before they are able to do anything,” he said.
Most students, whether they like the president’s decision or not, are in understanding that this is going to be a long process.
“It’s probably not the end,” said freshman Max Johnson. “We are in it for the long haul.”
Brinley agreed.
“It’s like a cause and effect thing,” she said. “We just did that to them, they are going to come back and get us, it is going to be chaotic.”
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfield said that the war against terrorism will be broad and sustained. More than 40 countries across the world has proven to be on the U.S.’s side, promising air transit or landing rights. British Prime Minister Tony Blair has gone out to say that Britain will join in with war planes and submarines.
“The US needs to retaliate but I hope it doesn’t lead to more acts of terrorism in the United States,” said junior Corey Rogers.
Keri Zodda summed up her feelings about the attack.
“I think it’s going to be a long time before we really know what is really going to happen, but I think that we’ll come out on top in the end,” she said.