Lasso Online Survey
61 Percent of Students Oppose Iraq War

Sixty-one percent of the student body oppose the U.S. military incursion in Iraq, according to a Lasso Online survey.This survey, polling 378 students in all, was conducted last week, approximately one year after President Bush declared an end to major combat operations.A majority of three high school grade levels opposed the war, with only the sophomores, by two votes, supporting it. A similar survey, conducted last year, on the eve of the war, showed 63% of students in opposition.

Students were asked whether they supported the U.S. military action in Iraq, and, if so, whether they would still support it if a universal military draft were instated.Students were also asked if they felt that the Iraqi regime change has made the U.S. safer against terrorism.Only 34 percent of those surveyed supported the war (with five percent undecided); of these, 73% would remain in favor of the conflict even given a draft.Seventy percent did not feel that Saddam Hussein’s ouster has made the United States safer.

Respondents differed in their reasons for answering the way they did.Most who supported the war commented that Hussein’s tyrannical rule was reason enough to enter the country.Furthermore, many people said that they fully supported the troops, even though they did not agree with the cause, and more still said that they opposed the occupation, but it is far too late and too dangerous to pull out.

“Saddam was a weapon of mass destruction in and of himself,” wrote one junior boy.Another added, “It is important to defend the lives and security of the U.S. and to protect the human rights of the Iraqi people.We need to stay for as a long as necessary to ensure that people did not lose their lives in vain.”

Those who opposed the war did so for many reasons.Many said that there were more important foreign affairs than Iraq. “Al-Qaeda, North Korea, and sub-Saharan Africa are much more pressing concerns in regard to terrorism and human rights,” wrote a freshman girl.

Another common sentiment was that the Bush administration set no clear and consistent motive for invading the country, failing to find any banned weapons or terrorist links.Still more expressed dismay that the U.S. seemed to turn its back on Osama bin Laden to concentrate on the Iraq situation.“The administration did it with confused motives,” wrote a senior male.“Was it for terrorism?Was it for the Iraqi people?Why did we give up on Osama bin Laden?”

The recent prison abuses also helped shape opinion. One junior male wrote only, to explain his opposition, that “there is an Iraqi on a leash on the front page.”

Those who support the war largely agreed that they would remain in support if a draft were to be instated.“It is an honor to serve our nation for democracy,” wrote a junior male.Another explained himself: “We receive a great deal of aid from the government.If I need to go fight to defend the policies of this country, I would. Whether or not I believe in the cause is not important.I believe in this country and I will support its decisions even if I disagree.”

However, many war supporters also said that they did not believe that the regime change has made the U.S. safer against terrorism.One sophomore male, a supporter of the war, added that it has “made America seem more tyrannical”.Those against the war usually answered no on that question, as well: “Another 911 is now very possible,” said a freshman.Another added: “If there is [a terrorist network in Iraq], we have only given them further reason to hate us and attack us.”

Some very much disagreed: “Saddam had the ability and will to give terrorists weapons,” said a junior male.A classmate added that “it shows that America is a powerful nation that will not tolerate attacks against democracy and human rights”.

2004 Survey Results on Military Action in Iraq
Q #1  Do you support the U.S. military action in Iraq?
	9th Grade	10th Grade	11th Grade	12 Grade	Grand Total
Yes	41	37	20	29	127
No	84	35	61	50	230
maybe	10	5	3	3	21

Q #2   If you responded yes to question #1: If a universal military draft were reinstated in America, would you be in support of the military incursion in Iraq?

	9th Grade	10th Grade	11th Grade	12th Grade	Grand Total
Yes					93
No					34
maybe					0

Q #3  Do you believe the regime change in Iraq has made America safer against terrorism?

	9th Grade	10th Grade	11th Grade	12th Grade	Grand Total
Yes	34	14	12	39	99
No	83	48	55	55	241
maybe	3	1	2	1	7

Nearly 400 students, from grades 9-12, responded to the survey questions above. 
Chart by Becky Roa
Graphic by Matt Meyer

Tell us what you think.  E-mail lassogmhs@hotmail.com