UNLV panel weighs in on terror topic

Jennifer Knight

Friday, Sept. 21, 2001 | 10:25 a.m.

An hour after President Bush asked for the support of the American people to fight the terrorism that resulted in the deaths of thousands, professors at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, questioned U.S. foreign policy.

The seven-member panel of history, psychology and political science professors offered their views about last week's terrorist attacks during a discussion on the steps of UNLV's amphitheater Thursday night.

One professor said the United States contributed to Osama bin Laden's rise to power. U.S. officials say bin Laden masterminded last week's terrorist attacks in New York and Washington.

"We nurtured (bin Laden) in the Soviet fight against Afghanistan," said Matt Wray, an associate professor of sociology. "Now we're accusing him of using Afghanistan in his fight against us. In my mind, it's raising the question: Are we becoming our own enemy? It raises the question of hypocrisy."

Several people in the crowd of about 150 people who attended Thursday's discussion applauded Wray.

"We're like the bully, and the terrorists seem to be like the person who finally had enough and goes into the bully's back yard and kills his cat," said Mark Harrison, a member of the audience.

A soldier stood up and defended U.S. actions, saying that although America isn't perfect, the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 were unjustified.

"I cannot understand, and I will not tolerate the killing of civilians," said Mike Decicco, who was wearing his Army uniform. "We need to make it so it is not profitable to harbor these people."

Bush's speech to the nation Thursday night reflected that view.

"You are either with the United States or you're with the terrorists," said Bush, whose comments prompted applause from members of Congress.

That sort of black and white notion is simplistic, said Barb Brents, an associate professor in sociology.

"We tend to demonize anyone who is not us," Bretts said. "We immediately look to foreigners and Islamics and look at things in terms of them or us."

Simon Gottschalk, an associate professor of sociology, said he studied the psychology of terrorists while living in Israel. The "us versus them" philosophy often reflects the mindset of terrorists, he said.

"(Terrorists') view of things are black or white. There are no grays," Gottschalk said. "These terrorists' minds work along the same lines."

Although many of the views expressed Thursday did not seem to reflect the feeling of mainstream America, there was neither great debate nor tacit approval regarding the panel's varied opinions.

Father Bartholomew Hutcherson, the campus' Catholic chaplain, preached temperance and tolerance.

"Revenge can never be the motivator for a just action," Hutcherson said. "My fear is that as we seek revenge Osama bin Laden will become our white whale and we in our Melvillian way will lead ourselves to the destruction of this Moby Dick."

"This does not mean we should not respond," said Mehran Tamadonfar, an expert in Islamic politics. "We just need to have a measured response."