PEOPLE

The Southeast Missourian asked people if they thought that America had kicked the "Vietnam syndrome" as a result of America's involvement in the Persian Gulf War.

Brett Yount: "I think America has definitely kicked it. This has been one of the most positive wars America has ever seen. We went in there and did what had to be done. President Bush has one of the highest ratings from the public that a president has had in a long time."

Heather Roth: "America has supported the soldiers in this war much better than it did with Vietnam. The homecoming for the soldiers will be much better this time than it was then. We did what we had to do. The prestige from this war will be much better for the soldiers."

Steve Baugh: "Yes, we have kicked the syndrome. The decision was made to do it, and it was done. It was decisive. It was right to give Iraq some time to get out of Kuwait, but when they didn't, we did the right thing by going in and removing them."

Katherine Elfrink: "Yes. As a nation, we have become stronger because we did win. We proved that we have the ability to conquer without causing a lot of casualties. We stand up for our rights, and we don't like to see other people crushed and or to have their rights taken away."

Carl Blanchard: "I feel that America is on the upswing because of what happened in the Persian Gulf. However, I have a concern that it was such a brief test and the exception rather than the norm. We as Americans should prepare ourselves for a conflict that might be much worse."

Tina Adrian: "To a certain degree, I feel we have kicked it. I feel, though, that we have a long way to go with working on foreign affairs. There needs to be more communication. The reaction to America by other countries seems to be better, but we still have a long way to go."