The Royal Gazette yesterday went out onto the streets of Bermuda to find out what people felt about the US military attacks on Iraq.

Emotions were mixed and often extreme as residents toyed with whether or not George Bush's Government was right to begin bombing Baghdad in a bid to oust Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein from his position. Views ranged from devout support for the US, as people felt Saddam needed to be stopped, to others who felt the new war was a "prophecy being fulfilled". Others were totally against the war.

People were asked what they thought about the war and how did they think it was going to impact Bermuda.

Danette Walker, from Devonshire, said she felt Bush had gone into Iraq to finish what his father George Bush senior had started when he was US president 12 years' ago.

Jennifer Rosenbaum and Mary Ellen Pennylegion said they thought that something needed to be done about Saddam Hussein.

"I am not sure that war is the answer, but he needs to be stopped," said Ms Rosenbaum, from Hamilton Parish.

"I think they are finishing what they didn't finish 11 years ago."

Ms Pennylegion, from Warwick, said: "I think Bush needed to get it done."

Robert Emery, of Paget, thought the entire war was a travesty.

"I don't think the US has a right to be over there and I really feel for the Iraqi people," he said.

And, on the same note, Michelle Johnson said she thought it was a tragedy because of the loss of human life.

"As a Christian, I believe that every life is valuable. I think it is all about oil," said Ms Johnson.

A Prospect resident, Stephen Bean, thought that it was pre-destined by God.

He said: "Unless the Bible is a lie, then prophecy is fulfilling itself."

Jennifer Gunn thought the war would impact on Bermuda's tourism, and she said believed Saddam had to be stopped in some way.