An International Discussion
By John Petkus


On the 23 of March, students from Lake Superior State University traveled across the International Bridge to visit Algoma University College in Sault Ste Marie Ontario.   This visit was part of an annual tradition of initiating discussion of important political and social events between students of the two institutions.   In the Fall Semester, we play host to the event and in the Spring the Canadians graciously invite us over to their side of the river.
This year twenty students and faculty from LSSU were able to make the trip and were met by approximately the same number of students from Algoma.   The topics of discussion for this year were: The role of the United Nations in Iraq, and What can be done about Global Warming.  Both of these topics were discussed in length with both sides offering their own reasoning for what they believed about what should be done and helping to give new perspectives on oft over-opinionated subjects.  
Many Canadian students expressed a concern over the United States unilateral entering into Iraq in the first place without the support of the United Nations and said that the US was wrong in going in the first place without international blessing.   Some of the American students agreed but felt that the United Nations should still have an integral role in the rebuilding of Iraq.   Others expressed the view that the United Nations should rather leave well enough alone and stay out of Iraq all together.
The second issue saw most of the assembled students agreeing on the issue of Global Warming being a problem and many ideas were discussed of how best to see to diminishing the effects of it on our daily lives. Many Canadian students talked about how their own government was acting to stop global warming and many also talked about individuals taking the initiative to recycle and change our daily habits to be more environmentally friendly.   The Americans replied that these were good ideas and added some more about attempting to find more fuel efficient vehicles and working in the politics of our government to see more energy saving and conserving methods.
After the discussion we all gathered for a meal of pizza in the Algoma eatery and enjoyed hanging out and finishing up our discussions in an informal manner.   For many of us it was a great time to get to know some Canadian students and gain a new perspective on what they think about issues that are important to both of our countries.   On the whole a great way to spend the afternoon and I hope to go again next year as we once more discuss issues that we find of the utmost importance.    

