As Anthony Pulliam watched President George W. Bush’s televised
message to the nation Monday, he found himself disagreeing with
parts of it. But the 17-year-old San Benito High School junior said
he’s certain the president made the right decision.
As Anthony Pulliam watched President George W. Bush’s televised message to the nation Monday, he found himself disagreeing with parts of it. But the 17-year-old San Benito High School junior said he’s certain the president made the right decision.
“I thought it was a pretty good ultimatum,” Pulliam said. “I don’t think they’ll (Saddam Hussein and his sons) leave. But I think it’s necessary, if the U.N. is not going to help us, that we have to take care of it ourselves. We’re the protectors.”
Pulliam was among millions of Americans who watched Bush set a 48-hour deadline for Hussein and his sons to leave Iraq or face military action.
Some of those who heard the president’s speech felt it is time to topple the Iraqi dictator, while others still have reservations about a U.S. military invasion of Iraq.
Hollister resident Gene O’Neill still does not think there is enough evidence to attack the Middle East country.
“I think he made a really good speech, but I just don’t agree with that war. I think it’s way out of line,” he said. “… They’re going to kill a whole lot of people for nothing.”
O’Neill said any weapons Iraq has are probably for defense, but added that Hussein is a “rough guy.”
Despite his feelings, the 82-year-old World War II veteran said he’ll support American soldiers in the Middle East.
“They (soldiers) can’t do anything about it,” O’Neill said.
Many local residents, whether they agree with the U.S. going to war, have decided to support the president and U.S. troops.
The Hollister City Council unanimously passed a resolution Monday night to support the troops in the Middle East and the fight against terrorism.
“We’ve got to support our troops,” said Councilman Robert Scattini, a former Military Police officer in the U.S. Army. “… I support the president. I still love this country, and I still love to hear the Pledge of Allegiance and national anthem. That thing last night that the Council approved – that was good.”
Bob Hammond, principal of Ladd Lane School and a local minister, said he doesn’t feel he has enough information to take a stand for or against the war, but he does support U.S. soldiers. The Vietnam War veteran remembers what it was like when troops were not supported.
“I came back (from Vietnam) in late 1968. It was not a good time,” Hammond said. “When I was in uniform, I had people throw things at me, call me names, spit on my uniform. It was a really divisive time in our country. I’d hate to see that again.”
Tim Foley, county superintendent of schools, said he feels war is the ultimate extension of diplomacy – that all other avenues have been exhausted. Schools across the country will talk about and learn from the current events as always, Foley said.
“I’m just glad we have a decisive president who delivered a clear message last night,” he said. “… Classrooms across the county and state will have a lot of study and discussion. There will be a lot of soul-searching on this.”
Many who watched Bush’s address said there is a need to be proactive.
“He seemed resolved in light of 9-11 that this is a threat and he doesn’t want to wait on the smoking gun,” Ron DeBlanc, a local pastor, said of Bush. “I agree with that. He’s got to protect the nation.”
Virginia Hodges, 49, an account executive, agreed that Hussein must be ousted to prevent future terrorist attacks.
“We are just sitting targets,” she said.
A CNN-USA Today-Gallup poll released Monday showed Americans generally support Bush’s plan to oust Hussein. The survey found that 57 percent think the president has made a convincing case about the need for military action against Iraq.
Some of those gathered around television sets Monday night worried about the impact of a war on the Iraqi people.
“Certainly, we don’t sympathize with Saddam Hussein,” said retired research economist Monzer Kahf, who emigrated from Syria in 1971. “The real worry is the people in the area. The whole area is going to be inflamed. It doesn’t take a match to burn it. It’s already burning.”
Iraqi native Casey Mahbuba, who emigrated to the United States in 1992, said he looks forward to the day when the Iraqi dictator is gone.
“We don’t care what happens to him,” he said. “We don’t care if he disappears. We don’t care if he dies. I just want to wake up in the morning and have there be no Saddam Hussein.”
Leona Hersh, 88, a retired homemaker, came away thinking Bush was on target in his description of Hussein.
“This man has never been a good man,” Hersh said. “Everyone says Bush wants the oil, but I believe some people just want to make a better world.”
Law student Jeffrey Usman said he agrees with Bush.
“If you believe that Saddam is developing biological, chemical and nuclear weapons, and would use them against the U.S., then it becomes an act of self-defense,” the 24-year-old Republican said.
Lindsay Patross, 23, a Democrat who watched the speech while exercising in a gym, still has her doubts.
“I think the administration has done a pretty good job of spinning, but I don’t have a lot of confidence that I’ve gotten what’s really going on here,” said Patross, a recent Cornell University graduate who majored in American studies.
Free Lance staff writer Kollin Kosmicki and the Associated Press contributed to this report
