For 24 years Saddam Hussein has had control of Iraq. For 12 of those years, nations around the world have insisted on the disarmament of the third world power. Numerous ultimatums have been given with little cooperation. This could be due in part to the fact that no reinforcement has followed any of the ultimatums.

Now the United States has realized that Saddam has manipulated the United Nations, among others, long enough, and something needs to be done.

With backing from only a few of our allies, the president has answered the call for action. Subsequently, appeasement is no longer an option; the only option that is left is to take a much stronger approach to a problem that has lasted for longer than a decade.

As students in the United States, we realize the need for certain measures to be taken in order to secure our safety and protect our freedoms. We do not live in an era of world peace, no matter how unfortunate that may be.

As we pass through the halls of Brewer High School, it is not hard to find students on both sides of the argument, some backing the war, and others strongly opposing our leader’s decision.

One student, Josh Kochis, commented, “I feel that it is a good decision because Saddam not only threatens us, but the whole world as well. He’s been giving us his blatant lies for too long, and now we have to act as a nation.”

In our conversations with our junior and senior friends, the pro-war mood seems prevalent, seeing Iraq and its dictator as a major threat to the United States and to other nations. The students aren’t only concerned with the bombing, but rather the liberation of Iraq and its people. However, they understand that force is necessary in this time of crisis.

As with all arguments, there is, of course, another side. Jordan Ecker, a senior at Brewer High School, takes a peaceful approach to the situation. “I don’t think that the U.S. has proved that Saddam has weapons of mass destruction and is just jumping at the chance for war. President Bush feels that he needs to finish what his father started years ago and set himself into the stone of the history books.”

The two extremes of war are seen everywhere, but with certain students here at school, the feelings toward the war are mixed. With parents in the National Guard who could be called up at any time, Stephanie Smith experiences being torn in the concept of war.

“The war is something that has to be done, but at the same time, it’s hard to fathom that one of my parents could be sent to Iraq, without knowing how long they will be there,” she said.

The views in high school are not particular to only students, but can reflect the broader view of the world. As our troops fight in the Middle East, America will struggle to find a medium of understanding.

Student Union is written by students at Hampden Academy, Brewer High School, John Bapst Memorial High School, Old Town High School, MDI High School, Ashland Community High School and Schenck High School in East Millinocket. The weekly column is a joint effort among the schools, the Bangor Daily News and Acadia Hospital. This week’s column was written by Brewer High School students. Their adviser is Sherri Thomas.