When College of Arts & Sciences sophomore Peter Burke discusses political issues, he doesn't want a polarized shouting match or partisan hostility. He just wants to talk.

Burke and about 35 other members of the Marquette community got that chance Thursday night, bringing their views and questions about what it means to support American troops to the John P. Raynor, S.J. Library's conference room for a Crosswalks dialogue on the topic.

The event, sponsored by University Ministry and the Manresa Project, was designed as "a place to foster dialogue between people with different perspectives," according to Manresa Project Intern Meghan Griffiths in her introduction to the program.

Griffiths, a College of Arts & Sciences freshman, said the Crosswalks program began during last year's presidential election campaign at the suggestion of a student "who was frustrated with the polarization of campus and the inability of students to talk to each other about issues."

She said the dialogue was not intended to produce a consensus view among participants or to sway participants toward any particular point of view, but rather to foster "a desire for mutual understanding, a desire for active listening."

Soup and refreshments were on hand as participants began the evening by writing on slips of paper words, phrases or questions that came to mind when they considered what it means to support our troops. Michael Smith, assistant director of University Ministry, read several of the slips aloud.

Submissions ranged from "signs in people's yards" to "duty, honor, courage" to "promoting lasting peace and justice" to "flags, lots of flags."

Participants then broke into small groups to discuss the issue. Each group established guidelines for an open and respectful dialogue.

Because several participants expressed a desire to speak confidentially and to keep group discussions off the record, the Tribune was unable to report on the proceedings of the dialogue itself.

However, a number of participants were willing to discuss their experiences after the dialogue had concluded.

Burke said he came to the event because he saw "the need for progressive dialogue on certain issues."

"There's very little of that going on on this campus and in this country," he said.

Katie Mescher, a College of Communication senior, said an empty stomach, a promise of soup and an interest in the topic brought her to the event.

She said the dialogue was a valuable way of "just bringing people together to talk."

"Everyone has their own viewpoints, and it's good to hear why they have those viewpoints," she said.

Greg Jackson, a College of Arts & Sciences junior, said he enjoyed the dialogue but felt his group, comprised mainly of persons who were opposed to the troops' mission but sympathetic toward the troops themselves, would have benefited from a greater diversity of viewpoints.

He said a Reserve Office Training Corps student was part of his group but did not express a strong opinion on the issue.

Jackson, Burke and Mescher all they said they struggle with the issue of how to support troops without supporting their mission.

College of Engineering junior Neal Styka said the ability to hear different perspectives on the topic attracted him to the event.

He said while he opposes the war in Iraq, talking about the troops helped better his understanding of "how we can support them with compassion."

Styka and Burke both said the dialogue helped them come to a better understanding of their own points of view.

"I took away a better understanding of opposing views, and a better understanding of myself," Burke said.