[rwfromkansas]

Tell her to be proud. I am a freshman in college as well. My college is a Presbyterian school and pretty conservative (much more conservative than the actual mainline Presby denomination it is affiliated with (the branch that is battling over gays); kids who are members of the PCA and other VERY conservative Presbyterian denominations come here). Anyway, though it is pretty conservative, there are some liberals here. It feels good to usually be on the majority when I say something about politics.

However, something can also be said for being in the minority and being PROUD of that fact. In high school, sometimes I was in the minority. Even on certain doctrinal issues (predestination especially), I have arrows of fire thrown at me from all directions here at college. But you know what, it doesn't bother me. It enboldens me that people dislike some of my views so much as to resort to personal attacks; it leads me to be more confident in MY beliefs and their foundation. I admit, at first, it can be frustrating having people disagree with you since you want to fit in. After a period of time, defending your position as a minority becomes a source of strength if you allow it. I hope she will not let her desire to fit in compromise her beliefs and I don't believe she will. She should draw strength from the attacks.

[Trust but Verify]

She is at the University of Wisconsin, so that tells you what she is up against. I just think she should look at it as a challenge. One thing is for sure, she might be outnumbered, but her classmates are outmanned.

[truth_seeker]

"I admit, at first, it can be frustrating having people disagree with you since you want to fit in."

The desire to "fit in" needs careful thought. Why would a person wish to fit in with folks, who hold strongly to poorly supported beliefs?

In other words, why does one seek their friendship and approval? Wouldn't it be better to find folks with values like your own?

I served when drafted, during Viet Nam. My view at age 20 was that the war was wrong, but I truly relied on my elders, who said it was right to serve, personal views aside.

I continued to believe the war was wrong, for a few more years (but never demonstrated, never lost my patriotism for my country).

Later I came to realize that that war, poorly fought by us, was just, in the face of a truly evil world communist threat. I now view it as a "hot" battle lost, in a longer "cold" war against communism.

That cold war is still worth fighting, even should it have "hot" battles. We have mostly avoided ot battles, through showing strength and resolve to not allow communist military expansion.

Today's tie died peaceniks are mostly simply nostalgic, looking for attention, showing youthful rebellion. The liberal "educators" are beyond redemption.

Polls show that about 70% of Americans favor action against Saddam's regime of terror. Your daughter is in a majority, even though the campuses are chocked full of mindless "anti-war" fervor.

War is not an ideal solution, but ideal solutions are rarely available, and less often agreed to.

For the idealists, even though they don't recognize it, the world will be more peaceful, by stopping Saddam.

Ask the families of murdered Kurds and Shiites in Iraq, if Saddam should be stopped? Ask the families of dead Iranians, if Iraq should continue to maintain illegal WMD?

Forget about muslim rulers. Ask the citizens, if they yearn for life, whereby they could openly say: "Stop Saddam now."