Some, like Timothy P. McCarthy '93, said they have changed their minds about the conflict over the last few months. McCarthy said Bush's speech yesterday convinced him that war was the right choice.
"Last night, listening to George Bush, I respected a world leader more than I ever had before," said McCarthy, who has a friend serving with the ground troops in Saudi Arabia. "He ran his election on sticking to his guns, and he came through on the promise."
Both McCarthy and Hullenburg said the conflict has been keeping them away from studies, even as their exams approach.
"I figure I'll get a `B,' and with a few more hours of study, a `B-plus,'" McCarthy said. "It's not worth the cost of ignoring current events. It seems like a nerdy thing to do."
While staunchly supportive of the troops and the action, Scott D. Davis '92 said the conflict made it difficult to concentrate on his studies.
"It's hard to take your finals seriously," said Davis. "It's troublesome when you know people are going to die."
Life Goes On
Others said they supported the effort, but noted that life and exams must go on.
"It was the right thing to do," said Stephen D. Trafton '92, returning from his varsity crew workout. "If it comes to a draft, I would serve. But right now, I'm studying rather than worrying about it."
While most students were supportive of the war effort, many said they expect the issue to have an extremely divisive impact on campus.
"Feelings vary from house to house," said Eliot House resident Thomas J. Tucker '91, who said supports the troops. "There was applause for a vigil supporting the troops in the [Eliot House] dining hall. But that's definitely a stronger advocacy than I have for the war."
Adams House resident Eugene Stern '92 agreed that opinion seems to be split along house lines.
"Adams may be trying to set a record for the most arrests in protests," said Stern, who feels the U.S. should have given the sanctions against Iraq more time to work.
"I want to be pissed off about it in private," Stern said. "It doesn't seem like this is the right time to yell and scream."