So the American Legion has called for an end to all public protests of the Iraq war: “The delegates voted to use whatever means necessary to ensure the united backing of the American people to support our troops and the global war on terrorism.” Mr. Cadmus, national commander, seems to follow the same flawed logic that so many ascribe to progressives; that the soldiers equal the conflict — to oppose the conflict is to oppose the solders. Nothing, of course, could be further from the truth, at least among the hundreds of anti-war protesters I’ve spoken to:
“Public protests against the war here at home while our young men and women are in harm’s way on the other side of the globe only provide aid and comfort to our enemies.”, said Cadmus.
Mr. Cadmus also seems to forget what it is that our troops are suppose to be protecting — not oil interests, not president Bush’s career, and not foreign policy, but the Constitution of the United States. I ask Mr. Cadmus to choose between the following:
Here in America we are descended in blood and in spirit from revolutionists and rebels — men and women who dare to dissent from accepted doctrine. As their heirs, we may never confuse honest dissent with disloyal subversion.
It is the absolute right of the State to supervise the formation of public opinion
The first is from President and General Dwight D. Eisenhower, the second from Joseph Goebbels. Which one better expresses you feelings Mr. Cadmus? Unfortunately, your words are closer to the latter.
