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Wednesday, March 12, 2003 Page: 7A
There are a lot of people out there who pray earnestly for some loved one
they hope will return safely from their selfless duty in service to this great
country. My family and I want you to tell your loved one in the military that
a flag flies for them in a rural Pennsylvania back yard and countless prayers
are said for their safe return.
The “collective” voice in opposition to our military’s recent mission
(includes) the likes of socialist and virulent anti-American, anti-democracy
agitators. It also included those who were simply in opposition to this
action, be it an intellectual or moral objection. I would not at all object to
the freedom that such persons have to do this, yet I find their arguments
being mostly without substance and extremely naive. I take special objection
with those protesting for more inspections, as I find them even dishonest in
their view.
The people screaming loudest for the inspections to “work” are at best
banefully naive and ignorant on this entire matter. The only reason we have
inspections today is because George Bush went to the U.N. and demanded them.
When the inspectors were kicked out six years ago with tons of chemical
weapons still unaccounted for and Iraq’s nuclear program going full-bore, nary
a peep was heard from the U.N. France did nothing, Germany did nothing, no
protesters took to the streets anywhere demanding that inspections take place
to disarm Iraq. Now that three thousand Americans are dead and a strong leader
wants to disarm a madman of weapons of mass destruction, you’ve suddenly found
a problem.
How many more innocent lives, in addition to thousands already lost, will
be required if we delay in finally realizing that the war-mongering,
bloodthirsty regimes in the Middle East, Asia and Africa have already declared
war on everybody who will not bow to their ambitions? All the “peace and
diplomacy” being offered for the past 30 years by the U.N. has only
emboldened them, making their attacks in the past six years more frequent and
more deadly.
That being said, you who protest, believing there is never a justification
for war, continue to do so. Be sure to note, however, that unlike the
governments we are fighting against, you have the right to object and to not
be conscripted to serve against your will. This right, this freedom, was
secured by war and kept by war. And one more thing. This anti-American flag
you have been flying at your rallies, the one with the white peace sign in the
blue field, is entirely offensive and un-American. How dare you desecrate that
beautiful flag under which so many good, brave men have died.
Joseph Martin
Berwick