USD Magazine, Winter 2002

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by Timothy McKernan I n his classes, politically conservative freshman Jeff Lovell sometimes finds himselfin the minority during discussions about US. domestic andforeign policy, including the war in Afghanistan, but he doesn't apologize for his beliefs. "There are rimes when a show of force is the only effective way to deal with a situation," he says of the war. "Diplomatic and economic sanctions really only hurt average citizens, not chose in power. We know the al-Qaeda has been crying to get nuclear and biological weapons, and if we don't destroy char organization now, it will likely be disastrous for us lacer. " Lovell is among a group of students seeking to establish a new campus organization called Young Americans for Freedom, advocating limited govern– ment and a strict interpretation of the Constitution. The son of a Sacramento attorney prominent in local Republican circles, Lovell says he was largely apolitical until he rook an advance placement government class in high school. Thar experience solidified his belief in a strong military and conservative domestic policy. "I chink a lot of students have liberal views because they can afford to, " he says. "They're not paying taxes, and a lot of chem don't dig real deep into issues, so they just repeat things they hear in the media or from ocher students. I respect their opinions, bur I'm proud to be a conservative." Soon after arriving on campus, Lovell joined the College Republicans and volunteered for the campaign ofTim Kane, a conservative congres– sional candidate in San Diego. When USD's Associated Students sponsored a forum on the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and military action in Afghanistan, Lovell was eager to share his support of the government's response. continued on page 24

"There are times when a show of force is the only effective way to deal with a situation." - Freshman Jeff Lovell

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WINTER 2002