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.
Dear Little-skull-full-of-mush Amir,
I know you were 8-9 years-old when Bill Clinton was elected in 1992. He was elected by many misdirected adults that spent those years teaching you anti-American thoughts. Many of these adults now see clearly when you elect someone who loves himself and runs when pressed, were wrong.
Turn-off the MTV, video games and read about Stalin/Hilter/Mao/PolPot who killed millions when people like you "ran".
I can only imagine the vermin stuck to the walls in the corrirors of Bezerkeley High.
Don't worry, the libs haven't reached all of us just yet. I am seriously considering enlisting right now. Just this weekend, both of my sisters (ages 15 and 22) told me they would go if needed. Even my brother, a psuedo-Buddhist, Green Party leaning, Kurt Cobain worshipping 18 year old says he wants to help, but prefereably not in a combat role.
Barbara Lee's district, no less. It was a free vote for her because she knew her constituents are as dumb as bricks.
Are you nuts? I would not want these ingrates fighting this battle. They'd probably give all our secrets away to the enemy. Remember, "...they don't care, it's not their war, and America(see president Bush for the proper pronunciation)desevered this."
Wasn't RED China promising to target LA and other California cities with ICBMs?
Some one should tell the little @$$ (of course he's probably one of them anyway).
Glad to see they went out and talked to the average American.
What you are seeing here is the result of parents who did brain damage to themselves with their love of drugs, teachers who spell KAT instead of cat, and the west coast center of hate America and all the good that it stands for!
Marin county is crawling with adults who think like these little watermelons. We lived there in the early 70's and the hate America mantras used by these dumbed downed ebonicers were standard in Marin county even 30 years ago.
At least 40% of Napa's dumbed down and drugged out, semi adult population would agree with these wastes of skin and air!
I'm sure that 30 to 40% of the NE, the dumbed down and drugged out left wing extremists would agree with these west coast scumbags if they could get by with it!
We have tell these scumbags the same message as the rest of the world, you are either with us in this war for survival or against us! Political positions like these show that you are no better than the terrorists who flew the planes to kill 5000 Americans!
Perhaps we should ask these 'educators' why they are training a future generation of counter-cultural, America-hating jackasses.
"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."
I wonder what they do teach during civics class, or is there any such these days?
I've always worried about a whole generation that doesn't understand the freedoms that so many died for! But my daughters and their friends have really responded and heard alot more about all this because of what happened this past week. And I would hope that many would be informed enough to counter any Blame America BS that is thrown at them, as my daughters are.
Currently I don't think so, but there have been times in my life when loved ones and others would agree with your sentiment.
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.