I wonder if he would be saying this if one of HIS family members had been killed.
Posted on 09/17/2001 3:16:15 PM PDT by watsonfellow
Local teens shrug off terror attacks
Many say they feel little loyalty as they can't rely on government
By Paul T. Rosynsky and Jane Rochmes STAFF WRITER
OAKLAND -- While much of America is uniting to fight the evils of terrorism, many East Bay high school students said Friday a war is not theirs to wage.
As hundreds gathered on the steps of City Hall Friday to remember those lost Tuesday during the dev astating terrorist attacks in New York City and the Pentagon, high school students came together in stead to talk of weekend plans and the latest gossip.
The wave of patriotism across the country hasn't reached many area teen-agers who questioned Friday the need to retaliate and vowed not to fight if called upon for duty.
With the terrorist attacks occur ring more than 3,000 miles away, teen-agers had trouble making a connection to the tragedies and a harder time finding a reason to care.
"It didn't happen in Oakland, it could have but it didn't, so I don't feel scared or nothing," said Hieu Le, 15, a student at Castlemont High School. "Why should I go fight in a war and die for nothing."
Similar feelings were echoed throughout the blacktop courtyard of McClymonds High School and corridors of Berkeley High.
Although many said they felt sym pathy for the victims and those who had lost loved ones, when it came to risking their own lives to fight for America, most said they would try to find a way out.
"I'm not risking my life for that, I love myself too much," said Amir Kellogg, 17, as he sat with friends during lunch. "If they came after me I would have to run."
Their lack of desire to defend freedom comes, they explained, from a lack of confidence in the government to help their own communities. Many blamed the U.S. relationship with the world as reasons for the attacks and said they don't want to help because they have not received help in the past.
"How are you going to defend a nation if that nation can't defend against things like homelessness," asked Jamaal Germaine, 15, a sophomore at McClymonds High School. "I'm not in a rush to help our country because our country is already messed up."
Students instead said any war waged by the country against ter rorist states of the world would only worsen the situation, setting off an infinite series of retalia tions.
"I think the United States deserves it," said Berkeley High senior Pat rick Rizzo. "It's pretty sad for the poor people, but the United States does the same thing. We're prob ably going to do the same thing after this. We're not going to send anybody into the country, we're just going to bomb them like they did us."
Added senior Phillip Chan: "I don't think that going and attacking a specific country is going to solve anything."
And with the only exposure to war coming through television high lights of the Persian Gulf War, teen-agers said they see no need to risk human life when the country can instead depend on technology to fight evil.
"If there is a war, it won't be a war like we're used to in the past," said Antwonn Smith, 17. "We got too many missiles to use. We're not even going to have to send people out there."
Jane Senemen is news editor of the Berkeley High School Yellow Jacket.
How different did those of long ago respond.....
The Spires of Oxford
I saw the spires of Oxford As I was passing by, The gray spires of Oxford Against a pearl-gray sky, My heart was with the Oxford men Who went abroad to die.
The years go fast in Oxford The golden years and gay, The hoary Colleges look down On careless boys at play. But when the bugles sounded war They put their games away.
They left the peaceful river, The cricket field, the quad, The shaven lawns of Oxford To seek a bloody sod -- They gave their merry youth away For country and for God.
God rest you, happy gentlemen, Who laid your good lives down, Who took the khaki and the gun Instead of cap and gown. God bring you to a fairer place Than even Oxford town.
Winifred M. Letts
Why doesn't the stupid kid go to Iraq and live if he hates the US so much? If he really prefers fanatic Islam to the US way, then he's certainly welcome to go live there.
We live in a college town and sadly, these men's counterparts in the younger generation weren't really moved and seemed to have no problem whatsoever enjoying a round or two.
I wonder if he would be saying this if one of HIS family members had been killed.
The sad fact is these attacks are going to have to continue, and get worse, to WAKE UP THE IDIOTS in this country who don't understand the severe price that has to be paid for liberty. Our founding fathers didn't let someone else gain and keep freedom for them, they knew it had to be fought for themselves.
Yeah, because of commie pieces of s*** like you!
I guess MTV will have to go off the air and Nintendo will have to go bankrupt before this imbecile finds something worth dying for. I have no use for these little spoiled brat bastards. They can all go rot in Afghanistan as far as I'm concerned. In fact, before we send REAL Americans to die, let's just airdrop these little pissants behind the lines with rifles. Then they can either use them or die. I don't particularly care which.
Obviously, they have failed to understand that Those Who Refuse To Learn From History Are Doomed To Repeat It.
"How are you going to defend a nation if that nation can't defend against things like homelessness," asked Jamaal Germaine, 15, a sophomore at McClymonds High School.
Sigh! :^(
If you can go to prison for growing the "wrong" flowers in your garden you're not free.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.