The Loyola College Republicans presented their side of the war in Iraq Wednesday night.

“It seems that the events that have been sponsored by Loyola haven’t been bipartisan at all,” said Philip Consuegra, political science freshman and co-host.

The event was a Republican response to the anti-war speeches given in St. Charles Room after the viewing of Bush’s State of the Union Address last week.

The Republicans say they feel that they have been under-represented.

“The reason you haven’t heard of us is because they don’t want you to hear about us,” said Consuegra. “This is a liberal university. They have tendencies to support liberalist ideas.”

The Republican candidate for Lt. Governor, Stephen Rue, spoke at the forum in support of Bush’s international policies.

“It is fear that is hurting America. The only way to eradicate this fear is to eliminate the vermin. Step on the roach,” Rue said.

He argued that fear of terrorism is hurting the American lifestyle and economy.

“We have to find ways to stimulate our economy. How will New Orleans be affected if no one visits because of fear?” he said.

Fighting terrorism is the main cause in a war against Iraq, according to Rue.

Loyola City College professor and bipartisan war advocate, Dr. Roger White, also spoke at the event. White argued why the United States should wage war against Iraq.

“Saddam is a regional nuclear super power. It is not about oil,” White said, “Iraq only has 5% of the world’s oil supply.”

The forum ended with an opportunity for audience members to ask questions.

Many of the students who attended were against the war, but eager to hear the pro-war argument.

“I think it’s important to get both sides of the story,” said Ashley Powers, history sophomore. “The war with Iraq could end up being a war against the entire Mid-East, and that would only increase terrorism within with the United States, which would cause more problems.”

One student asked what it meant that the United States has little foreign support.

“Forty nations around the world have agreed to work with us,” White said. “I don’t see an alternative to war,” White concluded.

“September 11 was the Pearl Harbor of this war.”

The anti-war audience stressed the negative aspects by using the Persian Gulf War as an example.

The war advocates stressed the need to reestablish the freedom of American culture and lifestyle.