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March 19, 2003
Sampling finds locals involved, concerned about war
By HENRY FREDERICK | News-Journal Staff Writer
PORT ORANGE — The way Rosemary Carter sees it, 48 hours is too long for President Bush to wait for an answer from Saddam Hussein about leaving Iraq before the United States fires missiles in his direction.
"We wouldn't want him to get away like Osama bin Laden," the 22-year-old college student said while working out Monday night at Gold's Gym on South Nova Road as the president's national speech was broadcast on six television sets there.
"We've given him 12 years," she said. "How much longer do we have to wait?"
Wally Bushman, 63 and a retired engineer, said he doesn't want war, but says the Iraqi dictator has forced Bush's hand.
"If the president backs down now, the world will think we're weak, especially North Korea," said Bushman, working out on a treadmill with his eyes glued to the television set in front of him. "I just feel Saddam has been given enough time to disarm."
Eretta Morris, a guidance counselor at Creekside Middle School, said she's concerned about the impending war's impact on the psyche of American children who will likely hear or watch it unfold on TV with their parents.
"I worry for them and how they will feel, but I certainly am in support of what President Bush is saying," said Morris, 52, also on a treadmill.
Ben Gross, 41, an attorney who works for the city of Daytona Beach, said he hopes the war is short and the president sticks to his pledge of rebuilding Iraq into a democracy.
"The nation-building after the war is what will be important," he said.