No student consensus in reaction to ground war

and STEPHEN GLASS As news of a ground assault by allied troops in the Persian Gulf spread this weekend, students around campus could only agree on one thing -- they had an opinion. And in the first hours after the American-led U.N. coalition began its latest escalation of the Gulf war, some students protested, some supported, some prayed and some said they weren't sure where they stood in the war. "I've switched from being 100 percent behind the war to being confused," College freshman Adam Rosenbluth said. "I think we had a real chance at peace through the peace proposal. And I think we should've given it a few more days to work." Many agreed that the Soviet-engineered plan -- which the U.S. rejected on Friday -- deserved more consideration. The Soviet plan contained eight points including a complete withdrawal of Iraqi forces from Kuwait and a bilateral ceasefire. Notably, the plan did not mention any linkage to an Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank. "I think [the ground war] was a mistake," said College sophomore Mike Smolarski. "The Russian plan could have saved a lot of lives." College freshman Cliff Schecter said while he initially felt the coalition should have waited longer before an all-out attack, a ground war was inevitable. Schecter said that since the ground phase has begun, the U.S. should pursue it with all available forces. "If Saddam Hussein isn't stopped now, we'll have to deal with him later," Schecter said. Others agreed with Schecter on the need for an allied ground attack. "I felt it was the necessary step in our efforts to free Kuwait," College freshman Dave Peikin said. President Bush asked the country to pray for the U.S. soldiers in the Gulf in a speech Saturday night, and dozens of University students flocked to campus places of worship. Over 100 people, including dozens of students, listened to a somber and solemn sermon given by Father James McGuire at the Newman Center. McGuire devoted much of his sermon at yesterday's mass to the start of the ground war. He emphasized the theological problem posed by the fact that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has called on the Iraqi people to fight for God at the same time that President Bush has asked Americans to pray for allied troops. "Who's the right God here?" he said. "We have to find a way to live our faith distinct from our national policies."

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.