One week after terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, some feel it is too soon to accurately record Americans’ thoughts on war and retaliation.
But several surveys of Americans days after the attacks indicate many feel retaliation and war are necessary actions.
In a CBS News poll given to 1,041 Americans on Sept. 11 and 12, 71 percent favored retaliation toward those responsible for the attacks, even if it meant killing innocent people. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
Some say Americans’ attitudes toward the attacks reflect a need to show national power and stability.
“We just want to do something to show we’re not powerless and that we’re going after a legitimate target,” said James Madison College Dean Sherman Garnett. “The one thing I would say is that it does reflect anger and frustration over the grief and emotions that are apparent to the nation.”
Garnett said it is unlikely most Americans realize what a war against terrorism in the Middle East entails.
“People think of a cozy little war that’s four days long where we plaster a bunch of terrorists, go home and have a parade,” he said. “That’s not what this is going to be. In the last 200 years we have learned it’s not an easy place to conduct military operations.”
In a USA Today/CNN/Gallup Poll given to 619 adults on Sept. 11, 86 percent of those surveyed said Tuesday’s attack represented an “act of war” against the United States, but 45 percent said they were very confident President Bush could handle the situation. The poll had a margin of error of minus 4 percentage points.
Garnett said he wasn’t surprised about the results.
“I think it’s up to the government now to fashion a response that satisfies a natural desire for vengeance but does something useful about the problem,” he said.
Criminal justice junior Addie Killermann said last week’s tragedy is still too much of a shock for many.
“It’s still fresh on their minds,” she said. “I don’t think we should bomb them like they bombed us. I think people get overwhelmed and just jump to conclusions.”
Others feel retaliation will only kill more innocent people and lead to war.
“It’s like going out and asking someone whose child got murdered if they want the person who did it to die,” said English senior Cheryl Light. “What happened to you is horrible, but retaliation against others isn’t going to bring that person back. It seems ridiculous to me.”
Light said previous wars involving the United States held more of a purpose.
“I don’t really see a good reason for a war,” she said. “It seems like in the past our wars have been for greater purposes. Seeing as how this is revenge, I don’t see how it is important to go to war.”
