The Promethean Honesty Integrity Objectivity Accuracy Volume 3, No. 14 January 24,1999 l Siena College Loudonville, New York Marine Sparks Controversy Students Hold Prayer By TARA PAULINY At first, Vigil Assistant News Editor supporters of Larsen praised By SHEILA MAHON Last Thursday, controversy the courage that Assistant News Editor arose when Eric Larsen, who has he had to stand resigned from the Marines because, up for his beliefs. As the situation in the he said, he "joined to protect the Among those Middle East grew increasingly ideals, the freedoms, the Consti­ who rallied for tense, a group of Siena students tution not to be a member of the Larsen were gathered in the quad to conduct an International Oil Police" spoke to a some members all night Peace Vigil on Monday, group of people from Siena and the of Troy High January 14. Support for the Vigil School, who ear­ surrounding community. was much better than expected, lier that week According to Carl Weis, who with the crowd reaching up to walked out of heads Civic Forum, the sponsor of thirty people at some points in the classes in pro­ the event, the discussion took place evening, and six braving the 15 test of their ad­ because, "in a Democracy we can degree night all the way through to still have discussions about difficult ministrations refusal to allow sunrise Tuesday morning. issues." This convention of de­ Steve Baumann, a junior, mocracy was tested when Larsen Larsen to speak. Eric Larsen. speaks at Siena last Thursday. Photo By John Sylvcstre organized the Vigil in order to "bring opened the floor for questions and They applauded the campus closer together even tensions began to rise. his bravery for speaking out against right to oppose this war. It is the though our views may differ greatly Many people, largely be­ the institution of the Marines and duty of every single soldier in the from each others. ... I personally longing to the Siena community, opposing the Middle East policy of military to oppose this crisis. When support our troops in the Middle spoke out against Larsen. One per­ our present administration. Oth­ a soldier knows that something is East. I just wish to God they weren't son called him a "traitor and a ers spoke of his "right to express so wrong and so corrupt, then it's there." The evening was centered disgrace to his country who was his own opinion and act upon his their duty-as an American- to stand around Bible readings, the Prayer not fit to wear the Marine uniform." conscience." up and be counted." He states, "I of St. Francis, and the Prayer for Another argued that he was "mar­ One student said of the dis­ say to those folks that have some George Bush and Saddam Huessin. keting himself for his own personal cussion that it was "out of control. qualms about Marines speaking By focusing on these prayers, benefit," while still others con­ . people went crazy. They were out, 'If you can't stand living in a Baumann hoped to make it clear tended that Larsen "could not care yelling, being rude and attacking democracy, or you can't stand that this was not an anti-war dem­ less about the troops over there or Larsen personally." Larsen con­ hearing an opposing viewpoint, just onstration or protest, but, "an op­ he would be over there himself." tends that "It is your constitutional love it or leave it.' " portunity for us to come together as a community and pray for peace, so that the soldiers over there can stay safe." State Cuts Financial Aid Karen Johnson, a junior who stayed at the Vigil from sunset Monday until sunrise Tuesday By JEN BEAUREGARD in Regents and $110,000 in TAP). would occur, but nothing like this morning, felt that, "it definitely went Assistant News Editor Also affected was the tuition for has ever happened before. Many better than we had anticipated." SUNY schools. The state increased are concerned over possible future She was also pleased because, "we "I apologize. I think that it is tuition, but the TAP awards were cuts. Siena scholarships will not got a lot of issues opened up on unfortunate. I wish Siena could do not cut for SUNY students. be affected by the State's cuts. campus, and we let people know something," stated Ann White, Di­ The Regents were cut by a total White has contacted a that we were thinking of the sol­ rector of Financial Aid, concerning of 100 dollars and the TAP cuts number of legislators concerning diers and hoping for a peaceful the recent cuts in TAP and the varied according to what was re­ the cuts and suggests students put outcome. Regents Scholarships. ceived. White found that students pressure on the State about the Although the majority of These cuts occurred because were more concerned with the cuts taking back of funds. January is people attending the Vigil were stu­ the state overspent by 20% and is in the Regents Scholarship than financial aid awareness month, and dents, there were other supporters trying to find ways to decrease the with TAP. phone numbers are available for as well. According to Baumann, budget deficit. The total amount According to White, there were students wishing to express their lost in aid was $160,OO0($50,0OO hints earlier this year that the cuts concerns to their legislators. (See Vigil, Page 5) Special on the Middle East follows Page 7 Grammy Picks Page 13 H.J. Makes Super Bowl Picks Page 15 A Look at Non-Violence Page 11 EDITORIAL PAGE JANUARY 24, 1990 THE PROMETHEAN «6* $romet&eau Statt Editor-in-Chief Barbara A. Riedell ( Editorial Managing Editor RESPECT: Matthew J. DiPaulo News Editor What does it mean? Dan Casey- War is Hell...hell for the soldiers, hell case. Public opinion on campus leans for their families, hell for the victims, and heavily in support of U.S. policies and hell for those left at home. As war erupted in troops in the Middle East. After all, who can Executive Sports Editor the Persian Gulf, public opinion seemed to be forget that there are at least two current Mark Smith divided. A large majority expressed support Siena students, and many Siena alumni for the President and his use of force in the among our forces in the Persian Gulf. Copy Gulf. A small, but vocal, minority expressed The overwhelming support for the Kristi Lombardi their desire for a peaceful resolution to the troops was clearly evidenced at the Siena/ Joan Kenney • Samantha Brindley conflict, and their disillusionment with the Hartford basketball game played on Janu­ policies of the Bush administration. ary 16. The crowd began chanting and News This war has brought many issues to clapping at a fevered pitch usually seen Tara Pauliny • Jen Beauregard • the forefront of our national consciousness, near the end of a close game. But this was but there is still one issue that has remained not for the Saints. It was for five ROTC Sheila Mahon • Dave Leno relatively obscured. It is solely through the students carrying the U.S. flag. And it was rights guaranteed by the first amendment for the National Anthem sung loudly and Features that the protestors were able to express their out of tune by a fiercely patriotic audience. Patty Melamed • Laila Ghabrial concerns. In the nights before the war began Stacy Walsh • Kevin Wheatley The U.S. Constitution begins with the Siena students conducted vigils, braving words "We the people," and it is the people the cold, wind, and other Siena students. Arts & Entertainment that it protects. Regardless of their feelings You see, although they are supposed pa­ JeffCastler about U.S. involvement in the Middle East, triots, many Siena students are too narrow Amy Webber • Kelley Torrey each American has the right to express those minded to accept a viewpoint other than feelings in the manner he or she chooses. their own. And they trample on the first Dan Cordes In many cities protestors against the amendment rights of those they label anti- war were countered by protestors who sup­ American. Sports port the government. It seems that in this In a dorm window on campus there Andrew Pelosi time of crisis, patriotism is "in." It is shameful is a sign that says "War is Hell." It seems H.J. Lester that Americans regard pacifism as the oppo­ that we could all agree that no one wants Pat Gillespie site of patriotism. Rather than spending this or any other war. Whether the owner of time labeling others, it would do all of us the sign supports U.S. policy or not, he or Photography good to truly examine a point of view that she has a guaranteed right to express his or James E. Fernandez differs from our own. her opinion. Some students do not seem to Kostas Mallios Is it so impossible to be a patriotic feel this person has these rights, and pelted Leigh Selling • John Sylvestre pacifist? Working for peace does not make a the window with ice balls. person anti-American. More importantly, Regardless of the maturity level of supporting the U.S. government and our the offenders, it is symptomatic of a much Managerial Staff troops does not make a person pro-war. larger problem. Siena markets itself as a Kimberly Taylor In this extremely difficult time what place that embraces diversity and encour­ Dave Baccile is needed is understanding and tolerance. ages pluralism. Where is this evidenced? Carolyn Sgambati Unfortunately, at Siena this has not been the Certainly not in the behavior of Siena students.