A multifaceted exploration of what being un-American means during times of war was the subject of a student panel discussion last night.

Panelists for the hour and a half discussion were Sean Clark, chairman of Penn States Young Americans for Freedom; Brian Battaglia, representative of Penn State College Republicans; Jamie Salen, member of The Streets Project; and Michael Maneval, coordinator of Penn State's chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union.

The discussion began with each panelist giving a brief overview of his or her views on public dissension during wartime. "The proper level of dissent is any means necessary, short of revolution to make sure voices are heard," Salen said.

Maneval agreed that the right to dissension exists at all times. Clark said free speech protects citizens and should not be abridged in times of war. "Just because you have the right, doesn't make it right," he said.

Battaglia said protest during war is unpatriotic and un-American.

"There is a time to debate the war, but once war starts it is very un-American to protest it. Once battle is engaged in, we must stand beside them, if not, you are un-American," he said.

Mike Gallo (senior-political science) moderated the discussion by asking five questions of the participants. One of the questions was whether it is possible to be anti-war and still support the troops.

"If anything protests show support of our troops because it shows the concerns we have for them and all of humanity, protestors support more because we want them home" Salen said. Battaglia called people that openly voice anti-war opinions unpatriotic.

Some students said the panel did not accurately address the issues of what can be defined as un-American. Don Harrison (freshman-division of undergraduate studies) said he thought too many other war issues took away from the focus of the discussion.

"Every time they got to an un-American vs. American topic, somehow the discussion went to a war discussion instead what is un-American discussion," he said.

Pat Gehrke, director of Public Debate, said the purpose of the discussion was to get more people actively involved issues. Getting four people to come together with four different outlooks is a beautiful thing, Gehrke said.

"Debate and discussion is what deepens the ideals of democracy," he added.

Gallo and Julia Graham (sophomore-economics) organized the panel as a class assignment.