President Bush’s announcement to use military force against Afghanistan and the Taliban was received with mixed reactions from people, but one thought is unanimous among city officials. “What’s done has been done thoughtfully and intelligently,” 7th Ward Ald. Joe Sosnowski said.

Sosnowski added the timing of the air strikes was perfect, and any hasty military action taken too quickly would have been a problem for the United Sates.

“The air strike needs to be done … we want to be sensitive to the surrounding people,” he said.

Fifth Ward Ald. Pat Conboy, who was a college student during the Vietnam War, said he understands the problem this type of war causes for everyone. Though he’s against violence, Conboy does believe the measures taken are necessary.

“We all have to devote ourselves to a just world,” Conboy said. “The United States is justified in doing what it can to control this type of terrorism … justified to eliminate this evil.”

One concern raised by city officials was the type of war the United States could be getting into against Afghanistan.

The country is not only difficult to navigate, as Vietnam was, but the people of Afghanistan are ready for war, Sosnowski said.

“The terrain and environment are different,” Sosnowski said. He added that he hopes the United States has learned how to fight this type of war from past experiences, referring to Vietnam.

The Taliban’s unwillingness to negotiate shows they’re ready to go to war if necessary, Sosnowski said.

“Wars have been going on there since before the Soviets … It’s a sad thing, but it’s part of those people’s daily life,” Sosnowski added.

In their attack against Afghanistan, the Soviets were unsuccessful and so were the Germans, something we should take into consideration, said 6th Ward Ald. Dave Baker. A war in that area could be difficult for the United States.

Baker added that he hopes we can stick to the theme of going after individuals, not entire countries.

Conboy echoed Baker’s response, saying he hopes the United States could do what it needs to do without hurting innocent civilians.

“I think all of us in DeKalb and elsewhere need to reflect on the events and pray that humanity starts to love and care for each other more than it has in the past,” Conboy added.