Recently, it seems that the pro-war conservatives think that they have been “trumping” the left by waving flags and chanting “USA! USA! USA!” As a member of the left I find it to be very offensive that we are seen as un-American, and even anti-American. While we may criticize U.S. policy, it is not out of hatred of America – if anythin,g it is out of love.
After all, Old Glory does not just stand for supporters of current U.S. actions or warmongers; it stands for all Americans. We do not wish to see the flag that represents and symbolizes us stained with blood or shame. In many ways the left stands for American ideals even more so than the right.
Ashcroft’s Patriot Act has severely limited personal freedoms, and a second “Patriot Act” was proposed that would allow the government to wire-tap and investigate citizens without even serving a warrant.
Some say the Patriot Acts are justified in these times of crisis, but in the words of the great Benjamin Franklin, a man who signed the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution: “They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
President George W. Bush himself was quoted as saying “There ought to be limits to freedom” when referring to a liberal Web site. Limits on our freedom of speech? Is the president suggesting that we eliminate the First Amendment in the Bill of Rights?
If you value your freedom, take up the flag, march in the streets, and make your voices heard! Use your powers of opinion and speech while you still have it. Fight for your freedoms. As Goethe said: “He only earns his freedom and existence who daily conquers them anew.” May God bless America, land of the free.
Michael Beuerlein undeclared freshman
