Published on October 19, 2001
 Web Posted: 10-19-01 8:14am

 Campus partisans debate war on terrorism
 By Sylvie Ellen and Sam Sessa
 Special to The Diamondback

Heated exchanges were inevitable, but peaceful discussion
dominated the fray last night in Francis Scott Key Hall,
as students and panelists from across the political
spectrum debated America's war on terrorism.

About 100 people gathered at the widely publicized event
sponsored by the Peace Forum, a campus organization
recently formed to promote world peace. Mark Gubrud, a
graduate student in physics, moderated the debate. The
Peace Forum selected representatives of four campus
political organizations to air their views about the war
on a panel. Each member of the panel opened with a
statement of his position.

"[The United States is] totally justified with waging a
war on terrorism," said College Republican Chairman Seth
Schraier, a junior criminology and criminal justice and
government and politics major. He said both College
Democrats and College Republicans support America's
position of retaliation for the events of Sept. 11.  
College Democrat Stephen Cobb concurred.

"This [war] is about the defense of our citizens and our
country," said Cobb, a junior individual studies major.
"We are doing this to promote the general welfare and
provide for the common defense.  We're not trying to
bully a small country."

 Kathryn Weber, a member of the International Socialist
Organization, suggested the war was "planned long before
we were attacked."

 "In this instance, I oppose war," Weber said.  "I don't
support the politics behind this war."

 In response to the terrorist acts of Sept. 11, President
Bush previously declared what he called a "war against
terrorism." On Oct. 7, the United States began bombing
Afghanistan, with goals of forcing the Taliban,
Afghanistan's current de facto government, to give up
suspected terrorist Osama bin Laden. Bin Laden is the
prime suspect in the Sept. 11 hijackings and numerous
other attacks against the United States.

 Jason Schwalm, a Liberalist member of the Peace Forum,
warned of the war being taken too far.

 "Terrorism is like cancer it cannot be cured, only
treated," said Schwalm, a graduate student in chemical
engineering. "The lesson here is just to be cautious."

 After the panelists provided their views, the floor
opened to questions. Audience members shared their views
and questioned panelists on subjects from the war to its
repercussions, as well as many other aspects of
terrorism. The debate closed with remarks from each of
the panelists.

 "I was extremely pleased with the quality of the
discussion," Gubrud said. "There was an extensive sharing
of views and information ... it was remarkably
well-controlled."

 Senior journalism major Marcus Hillman was less
enthusiastic.

 "I thought it was a good idea, but people were too quick
to jump on other people," Hillman said. "I admired the
panelists for stepping forward, but it would be better to
have some panelists who were a little more informed."

 Said Ryan Holmes, a freshman letters and sciences major:
"I think this type of thing attracts people with strong
views. If you keep an open mind, maybe you can change."