Nevada high school students divided on war

SPARKS -- It's 10 a.m. Friday, and the huge explosions broadcast live by CNN from Baghdad light up the television in a classroom of high school seniors.

A bright bomb blast of flames and billowing smoke draws cheers and applause from a half dozen students.

"Whoo-hooooo!" shouts one in a shirt with an American flag.

But dissent is quick.

"Why are you clapping?" asks a student from across the room.

Welcome to "We the People," an American government class at Reed High School -- a suburban, middle-class school that on this day offers what seems to be an American microcosm of the varied views on the war.

"People are losing lives," Megan McCormick said. "I don't think it is something people should be clapping about."

Wait a minute, says Tom Diehl, who is wearing a cardboard sign around his neck that reads "I support the troops and President George Bush."

"We're not clapping because people are dying. We're clapping because I can see the liberation in action," he said.

"What if we never got involved in World War II?"

Christy Forbush also was offended by the clapping.

"But also, it's part of human nature," she said. "We're on a side now. We are Americans."

Over the next 90 minutes, the two dozen 17- and 18-year-olds examine nearly every facet of the war -- from national security and patriotism, to morality, the First Amendment and their own fears.

Some cry, some hug -- some argue, but later apologize for getting too personal.

"I've been pretty hard-core, pro-war from the beginning," said Ainsley McPherson, tears welling in her eyes.

"But I don't think I really realized everything. I don't know -- I'm scared. I've got two friends there and I don't want anything to happen to them."

The advanced class is made up of budding conservatives and liberals, Republicans and Democrats, anti-war protesters, even a soon-to-be soldier.

All eyes are glued to the television as the bombs fall and CNN's Peter Arnett explains that the promised "Shock and Awe" U.S. air attack is under way.

"I watch these images and I just have this sick feeling in my stomach. They are turning the place into a freakin' fireball," said Max McLaughlin, a member of the student council and one of the most outspoken war critics in the class.

Diehl, who takes ribbing from some classmates for his allegiance to conservative talk show host Michael Savage, acknowledges war is "tragic" and should be avoided if possible.

"But it can't be avoided. Saddam Hussein refuses any diplomatic resolution," he said.

Teacher Mark Towell is the son of former U.S. Rep. David Towell, R-Nev. He's proud of his students. As part of their yearlong class, they compete against other Nevada high schools based on their study of U.S. history, the Constitution and modern politics.

He reminds them, "Every difference in opinion is not a difference in principle." But some students are unwavering.

"Nobody likes war, but I think we're totally justified," said Lucas DeLong, student body vice president.

Saddam Hussein "needs to die and that's the bottom line," he said.

Most are torn.

"I'm having a huge personal struggle," said Sara Zaidi, who has lived in Pakistan and visited other Middle Eastern countries.

"I have respect for all life. I don't like death and I don't like conflict, but on the other hand, if it is for the better ...." Her voice trails off.

Nicole Nelson points out Saddam Hussein is already killing his own people.

"People are going to be dying whether we go in and use some sort of force or not. I'd rather see people die for a good reason," she said.

Mark Stone is just as adamant in his opposition.

"Why are we better than him if we accidentally kill 10 citizens?" he said.

But Forbush, who is active in drama, said there's a difference.

"Saddam Hussein doesn't care who he kills. It's what makes me lean toward war. At least we care -- we feel bad for everyone we kill. We feel remorse," she said.

McCormick likened Saddam Hussein to a playground bully.

"He's picking on the little kids. The U.S. is the one kid that helps out the underdog. They are probably taking all his crap and wishing we'd come in and save them," she said.

Andrew Maurins worries about where it all ends.

"There are so many other countries out there that meet the same criteria, that we'd be just as justified to go to war with, like North Korea and Libya," he said.

Later the talk turns to patriotism.

McPherson, who has a part in the school's upcoming musical, said that while she's generally supportive of the war, she's bothered by criticism of those who speak out against it.

"If we call people un-American because they are speaking out about our government, I think it contradicts everything we are fighting for."

Tommy Bond said he agrees "we have freedom of speech. But how morally degrading is that for our troops?" he asks.

Cynthia Alonzo has been taking it all in. The daughter of an immigrant, she recently enlisted.

"I joined the U.S. Marines for my country," she said, choking back tears.

"I signed my life away to put my self in the place of others. I will put my life on the line to save someone else. I just want to feel respected," Alonzo said.

"The only way I will know peace in my life is not on this earth but when I die and I'm in heaven. If war is the only way to go through it, then so be it."

Everyone is quiet.

Bond and Forbush get up to give her a hug.

"HERE is an American," Bond said.

"God bless you," DeLong added.

As the class wraps up McPherson says, "Right now, I'm just trusting our government that they know a lot more than we do."

Nelson concludes that the war is "the lesser of two evils."

"War sucks for either side."