America goes to war: Biolans’ reactions to war mixed
Issue 21, March 20, 2003
HongDao Nguyen
Editor-in-Chief

America went to war with Iraq Wednesday evening after Iraqi President Saddam Hussein rejected an ultimatum from President George W. Bush to leave his country or face military disarmament.
“At this hour American and coalition forces are in the early stages of military operations to disarm iraq, to free its people and to defend the world from grave danger,” Bush said Wednesday in a nationally televised address.
Hussein formally rejected Bush’s ultimatum Tuesday, Mar. 18.
A coalition of forces including the U.S., Britain and Australia began striking select military targets Wednesday, but more than 35 countries are giving the U.S. support, Bush said.
United Nations Security Council members have battled for weeks over what to do with the country accused of not complying with Resolution 1441, which orders Iraq to destroy all weapons of mass destruction.
The U.S. abandoned all attempts at building worldwide support Monday, and later that evening Bush issued his ultimatum stating diplomacy had failed.
Huge anti and pro-war protests have been held all over the world — and here in the U.S. — for weeks leading up to military action. Opinions are also mixed at Biola.
“I think war is definitely not a good thing—it’s the last choice of any option,” said sophomore David Perez, a war supporter. “But our president has certain information, and if he believes it’s in the best interest to protect the country, I’m behind it.”
Dave Peters, chair of the political science department, said Bush is justified in going to war. He decried Hussein’s tactics, circulated in the media, ranging from sponsoring executions to encouraging family members to snitch on one another.
“[Hussein] has been violating terms of the Persian Gulf war from 12-years ago,” Peters said.
Julie Rowe, a senior, supports the war. She said people are naive if they don’t believe Hussein has weapons of mass destruction and won’t use them, because he’s used them before. Hussein is said to have used chemical weapons in 1988 to kill thousands of Kurds, an Iraqi ethnic minority.
“They have everything — lots of chemical and biological weapons,” said Rowe, a social science major who did a five-week study on Iraq in Washington, D.C., last year. “After the Gulf War they found them under buildings — under schools and hospitals."
Peters said America is doing what the U.N. should have done to make sure Iraq complied with weapons inspectors. Resolution 1441, passed last November by the U.N. Security Council, said there would be serious consequences for Hussein if he did not disarm.
“It is a sad thing that collective security did not work,” he said.
However, there are many Biolans who don’t believe Americans have enough information to warrant war. Chris Lindley, who works for Auxiliary Services is one.
“Bush seems to think that [Hussein] has weapons of mass destruction,” said Lindley, who is also a 1997 Biola alumnus. “He says he has proof, but I feel as an American citizen I haven’t seen proof.”
Lindley said he was frustrated at the way Bush has linked war with Iraq to the events of Sept. 11. 2001, because Hussein hasn’t been conclusively shown to support the al Qaeda terrorist network. He believes there are other regimes, like Saudi Arabia, who are proven financiers of al Qaeda, but the U.S. hasn’t attacked them.
He thinks that France and Germany are “finagling” over attacking Iraq because of their oil interests, but he added, “I think we have as much oil interest as well.”
One of Lindley’s main concerns is Muslims in Iraq and around the world will see the U.S. attack as a Christian crusade against Islam. Though Hussein is a member of the secular Ba’ath political party, he has framed the war as a religious assault.
“The Islamic Fundamentalist movement is growing and they feel like they’re being attacked,” said Lindley, who ultimately wants to be a missionary to Muslims and reads widely on policy and politics.
Freshman Aaron Impson is also anti-war. The history major has attended an anti-war protest in L.A. and is concerned with the outcome of the war.
“The implications and consequences of the war are far greater than what it is going to accomplish,” he said.
Some students like Amanda Kelley, a junior, are undecided about the attack. Previously Kelley had been anti-war. She said that she thought the war was being rushed, especially since the U.S. doesn’t have U.N. support and seems to be going into war unilaterally. Kelley knows other countries are backing the U.S., but she wonders if it’s just because they want to be in line with America, which is seen as the stronger side.
Most Biolans agree war should be the last option
“I know I’m praying about it every other day, that God gives the president wisdom," freshman Jon Matthew said.

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Biola international students reflect on the war in Iraq
Issue 22, March 27, 2003
Travers Korch
Staff Writer

For international students attending Biola this semester, it may seem that home is a world away now that the United States is at war with Iraq.
Biola’s 323 international students now also face the reality that they are living in a nation that is fighting a war generally opposed by many in other countries in the world.
Carissa Dwiwardani, a freshman, came to Biola from Indonesia seven months ago. She’s concerned for her security because her family isn’t nearby, but her biggest fear is she won’t be able to return to the U.S. if she goes home for the summer.
"I come from a country that's often referred to as ‘the country that has the biggest Muslim population in the world,’" Dwiwardani said. "Getting visas is ridiculously hard and in the airports, I go through a different procedure than some other countries, which is longer and more intricate, just because of my passport."
She knows that 9-11 has caused America to be more cautious about such issues, but is still worried that the war will make things more difficult for international students.
Nate Chung, a senior from Hong Kong, and president of Biola’s International Student Association, said the war has not significantly affected his experience in America.
"I still only get to experience what Biola experiences in this tension and war," he said. "I don’t have great fears or concerns."
Chung came to Biola in 1999 after living in China since he was 11. Although he has lived in the United States for several years, Chung said he supports the country and its leaders.
"I feel more loyalty to the U.S. even though I know that I'm not American," he said. "I get to pray for the U.S. and I am more appreciative of the fact that I am here."
For senior Esther Vorherr, the issue of an American-led war has caused her to evaluate her standing as both a German citizen and one who has been living in America for the better part of three years.
"The hardest thing is the tug of war in loyalties to two countries," she said.
Vorherr said 9-11 had a significant effect on her views. In spite of that horrific event, she said war isn’t as real to some Americans because of a lack of tangible consequences. On the other hand, Vorherr said war is still too real in her home country.
"Germany is very much against war; it just came out of two," she said, adding that the country has become a rather pacifist nation because of its relatively recent history.
Vorherr said education in Germany is different, with memories of World War II still too fresh. She also cited concerns of what international effect the war may have.
"France has always been arrogant," she said, alluding to France’s stance against the U.S. position on Iraq. "I’m fearing that this will have a long term affect in U.S.-German relations."
Although she said she’s "against the war but for the U.S.," Vorherr believes the U.S. should follow through with its commitment.
"Although I don’t necessarily agree that the decision made is the reasonable way [to resolve the crisis], the U.S. needs to finish the war it has started," she said.
Rutsuko Nakajima, a freshman who came to Biola last August from Japan, said the war is legitimate for the liberation of the people under Saddam Hussein, as well as for international security.
"I still do not know if it was really the right time to start a war, but I believe that the decision of President Bush is supported by prayer and carefully planned by advisers," Nakajima said.
She also said there is a considerable difference between media in the United States and in her home country.
"If I could choose a place to be in this time of war, I would choose to be in the United States because I have noticed that the information which the Japanese people get through Japanese media is less than that the United States," Nakajima said. "In the United States, I am required to have more critical thinking skills by gathering information, evaluating and formulating my opinion about war."
She was surprised at the willingness of students who "voluntarily exchange their opinion."
"People are more open to hear different points of view rather than maintaining the harmony of the conversation," Nakajima said.
Chung also notices the differing opinions at Biola.
"It's hard to pick a position and say this is right or wrong, but I support the leaders of this country," he said.

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Weapons of mass destruction explained by prof
Issue 22, March 27, 2003
Erin Kiley
Guest Writer

While the United States and its allies continue to wage war against Iraq and terrorism in general, there is an increasing fear among American officials that the U.S. may one day face the threat of weapons of mass destruction [WMD].
WMD include biological, chemical, radiological, and nuclear weapons. The Biological Weapons Convention, signed in 1972, prohibits the manufacturing, stockpiling and use of biological weapons. However, there are some countries today, including Iraq, that have stockpiles that are unaccounted for.
Large amounts of chemical agents, such as Sarin and VX, have an immediate effect on an individual. Biological agents, such as Ricin and Anthrax, have more of a long-term effect. Because of this, biological weapons are more suited for terrorist attack than a war, which usually has more of an emphasis on short-term results.
Produced from the beans of a castor oil plant, the chemical weapon Ricin is a protein toxin that acts as a cellular poison.
"Ricin is a nerve agent, which means that it disrupts the nerve transmissions, and causes the body to go into shock," Jim Rynd, a Biola chemistry professor said. "An individual can stop breathing and lose all activity that is controlled by the nervous system. It is a cytotoxin; it kills cells that come in contact with it, and the individual dies of asphyxiation."
On the other hand, compounds such as Sarin and VX, which are chemical nerve agents, are man-made. According to U.S. officials, stockpiles of 50-gallon drums of the ingredients used to make them have been found, proof that Iraq was producing the material.
"To make a nerve gas, such as Sarin, it would require a lot more sophisticated equipment than for making a bomb," Rynd said. "It’s not just going to be somebody that makes it, but it would have to be done in a laboratory that a country would have control of. That is why a place like Iraq, which has the technology and the infrastructure, could make such weapons."
It is unknown where Iraq is storing and manufacturing its alleged WMD, although reports surfaced last week that U.S. troops found a facility that recently had been used to store chemical agents. Meanwhile, many in America are fearful Iraq will use WMD in the future.
"[WMD are] extremely dangerous, but more specifically because Iraq has openly stated and demonstrated their feelings of hate against the U.S. and will to use them," said Glenn Gizzi, a biblical studies major.
Others believe disarming Iraq is good for the world, not just the U.S.
"I believe that the WMD is extremely dangerous and that it should be disarmed," said Matthew Clark, a biochemistry major.

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Missions trips cancelled
Issue 22 - March 27, 2003
Ruth Ellis
Staff Writer

Two spring missions trips were cancelled after Biola administration withdrew its support due to travel and safety concerns because of the war in Iraq.
One other scheduled summer trip, to Nigeria, was postponed because of political unrest in the country.
According to SMU president Rosie Swager, provost Gary Miller cancelled the trips to France and England due to anti-American sentiment in both countries. The decision was made after several commitees met to review the trips.
The France team is looking to go somewhere in the U.S or Canada instead, and the England team hasn’t decided what they are going to do.
For the Nigeria team, six members were scheduled to go from May 26-June 16, and will now have to wait until Interterm to make the trip.
According to Swager, Biola will not support a team going into a country with a travel warning because the university would be responsible for the students’ safety.
The University would not be liable if the team went anyway.
The decision was disappointing, but not unexpected.
"I wasn’t too surprised, but I couldn’t help but think why does this policy have to take place now?" said co-leader Marilyn Foute.
The team was going to stay in a hostel, put on a Vacation Bible School for kids and do ministry outreach to AIDS victims, prostitutes and street boys.
After Biola decided not to support the team, the group began to look for a church they could affiliate with, and route their finances to. The money the team was receiving would have to be sent back to the donors with the request that it be rerouted to the church. Unsuccessful in those efforts, the team met Sunday to pray whether to cancel or reschedule the trip.
Foute said, the students’ parents were not comfortable that Biola was not supporting the trip, and some did not want their son or daughter going. Another factor is that elections are going to be taking place in Nigeria in May, and this will cause tension in the country.
It was finally decided Nigeria is not a safe place because of the war in Iraq, which increases tension among Christians and Muslims.
"Nigeria is a Muslim country, and they would be for Iraq," Foute said.
Also, the U.S. Embassy recently closed down due to the war.
The leaders of the team believe God has been closing the doors for them to make the trip in May but has started opening them up for a trip over Interterm.
"In the last few days it has been pretty clear that we shouldn’t go to Nigeria this summer and that we should reschedule," said Timothy Oberg.
The team will also have the benefit of having help from Foute’s parents, who are missionaries in Nigeria, and by Interterm they may be able to go under the support of the university.
"It didn’t seem like a good idea to not go under Biola," Foute said.
Through the process of uncertainty and reorganizing, the team said it has learned to trust in God and know that he is in charge.
"The moment we thought we had control, God would yank the rug out from under us and remind us that he is in control," Oberg said.
"This is God’s providence and grace, because if something goes wrong in Nigeria, we won’t be there for it," he said. "Whatever tensions are there will hopefully blow over and we can be there to love and minister to people after the fact and maybe have more of an impact."
Even though the team is now planning to go in January, they are still meeting, raising support and praying. SMU is still working with the team by doing one-on-one with the leaders, training and counseling.
"If for some reason the team doesn’t go in January, the ministry is still alive," said Oberg.

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A soldier writes home
Issue 23, April 3, 2003
Travers Korch
Staff Writer

“We are still just waiting here. There are a lot of storms. It is starting to heat up, and we end up with a lot of free time right now. We do not have access to phones, any kind of a building, a permanent general store, running water or plumbing,” Cpl. Jonathan Dyk wrote in an email sent from Kuwait
“We do have outhouses and sand though, and if you squint just right and put in earplugs, you can pretend that you are at the beach (facing away from the ocean),” he wrote on March 15.
Dyk, a 23-year-old U.S. Marine, sent the quoted email to family and friends from the battlefields of Iraq. He is a member of the 4th Light Reconnaissance Armored Battalion of the Marines.
A graduate of the Torrey Honors Institute, he is nine units shy of graduating from Biola.
The email is one of the only forms of communication that Dyk’s family receives from him these days, and his family passes those messages on to some 230 friends and family members.
Dyk’s emails not only keep his loved ones informed, they are also a snapshot of what some soldiers in the Middle East are going through.
In a recent letter, he announced, in a celebratory fashion, that his smallpox vaccination scab had finally fallen off. Later in the email he talked about how his food is sometimes contaminated by sandstorms, and of how the Marines got Pepsi’s one week.
Since he was activated from the reserves and shipped to Kuwait on Feb. 17, contact with Dyk has been very limited.
His father, Daniel Dyk, said he received a cell phone call from his son on the day before the war started, March 18.
“Jono sounded rested and alert,” he said.
Other than the three letters that he and his wife, Kim, have received from their son, the elder Dyk receives e-mail updates from the wife of the sergeant of Dyk’s division and watches the television news coverage. Last they heard, their son was somewhere on the Euphrates River.
“He likes to water ski, so I assume he was skiing with some Navy seals,” jokes Dyk’s father.
His duties entail preparing parts for mechanics in order to fix vehicles in case of problems, but he also acts as a “standard fighting Marine in the field” when battles take place.
Such danger has understandably had a toll on his parents.
“We have had wonderful support and can feel it,” Dyk’s father said. “Sometimes we cry for a moment or two—we cringe when we see a few more marines have been killed in the battle.”
Juan Rodarte, another Biola student in the army reserves, is anxious to join his fellow soldiers in Iraq.
“I’m angry I’m not there now,” Rodarte said.
The Stewart Hall resident assistant has been in the reserves for three years. He is part of a seven-man airborne infantry reconnaissance scout team which would precede any infantry line units sent to Iraq from his base, as the “eyes and ears of the base commander.”
Rodarte has not been told he will be going to Iraq, but said his team is ready and the possibility always exists that he will be called up.
Despite the imminent danger that awaited him in Iraq, Dyk expressed pride and courage while writing a letter in the car ride to Camp Pendleton at 2:30 a.m. on the day of his departure to Kuwait.
“And so I leave today, immeasurably proud to take up the mantle of defense for freedom standing in the illustrious line of many brave and noble men who have gone before me,” he wrote.
“Pray for my safety, yes, but more importantly pray that I do my duty with honor and courage,” he wrote. “Pray that should sacrifice be required of me, it would be well pleasing to God and to the glory of my country under whose flag I have been given the privilege of serving.”

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