Local Students Apathetic About Impeachment

Students in Jeff Grose's senior government class at Warsaw Community High School Tuesday were overwhelmingly against supporting President Clinton in his Senate trial, even though many aren't paying too much attention to the process.

"I haven't paid attention to it all because it's ridiculous. It's his own problem," said Emily Niemier.

"I wasn't paying attention until they started talking about impeachment. It's gotten old, it's the same stuff," said Matt Gard. "I don't think after everything he's gone through, no one's going to respect him."

Jason Marsillett said, "I've been paying a little attention. I don't think it's anybody's business."

Some students didn't have much opinion on the entire process.

"I really don't have much of an opinion on Clinton. I don't care," said Shannon Sucec.

Jenny Hoffman said, "I don't really know. I think that no one really cares. Everyone cheats on somebody."

No students in the class raised their hands when asked if anyone in the class supported Clinton. The entire class raised their hands when asked who was not in support of him.

"I feel it's pretty sad, him having the highest position and he's setting the standard," Steve Perry said.

Greg Ramos said, "As a person, he may not be perfect, but no one else is either. If he cheats on his wife, he'll cheat on America."

Grose said, "In my government class (last term), there seemed to be an interest in how it worked. That's what a lot of them are interested in, how this is working."

Many students in the class said Clinton could no longer do his job. Several felt he should be removed for the good of the country.

"I really don't think he could be very effective (if he remains in office). He promised us stuff and done the opposite," Travis Rinker said.

Josh Schmucker said, "I think he's a dirty swaggard."

If Clinton is not removed from office, some students said, it could have a profound effect on the country.

"I think it'll just make everyone think if he can get away from (perjury and obstruction of justice), and he's so much in the public eye, then the common man can get away with it," Brandy Brown said.

"I think," Chris Wilson said, "that if the common people and the Supreme Court can get in trouble, he should definitely get in trouble."

Gard said, "I think everyone knows what the definition of sex is. He's just trying to swindle his way out."

The students were asked how they would explain it to their children in 20 years. The opinions varied and some even doubt they would explain what went on.

"I'd pretty much tell them how it went, that we have a right to question our leaders," Ramos said.

"We probably won't explain it (to our children). No one explained Nixon to us," said Marsillett.

John Butler wanted to offer his opinion on the attack on Iraq in December. Students responded to his statement and whether or not it was a case of "Wag the Dog."

"One of the dumbest things I think he did was attack Iraq. He wasn't positive there were bombs or anything," Butler said.

Marsillett said, "I think he wanted everyone's minds off what he did."

"This is all very strange," Perry said, "how the U.N. is suppose to be all these countries, but the U.S. just goes in and does the bombing."

Wilson said, "I still feel the bombing had nothing to do with the impeachment."

Students in Dave Howett's history class also had some opinions on Clinton and the impeachment. Their opinions were slightly different from Grose's class.

Wendy Warren said, "I've been paying attention because he's our leader and we should know what's going on."

Jartu Schulterbarndt agreed.

"I think it's interesting and I want to know what's going on," she said.

Darnell Sutton said, "I haven't been paying too much attention because I think Clinton lies."

Travis Brainard said, "I don't think he's that bad of a person."

"I think," Amy Johnson said, "he can still be a good leader."

Amie Ridley said she really didn't know what was going on. She said she hasn't been paying attention and she doesn't care for politics.

Luke Saylor said, "I think everyone will remember it like they remember the Nixon scandal."

Dan Kuhn, social studies department head, said Monday his students last term were as divided over the process as the rest of the country.

"I would say that most (students) either support or oppose the impeachment," Kuhn said. "But only a few had really strong opinions."

He said they discussed the trial in the classroom but not daily. Many students, he said, were bored with the whole thing. Most of the discussion came during high points of the trial. "I found my solution was to allude to it and stick to the humorous side of it," he said.