America not ‘Great Satan’
One would expect the “Voice of Reason” to be reasonable. I refer, in the latest case, to Will Stewart’s unseemly comments about the Iraqi war printed on the editorial page in a recent edition of your newspaper.
Even liberals (whatever that means) should be respectful when voicing an opinion. And even liberals should understand opinions remain opinions until supported by facts. Mr. Stewart’s article misses the boat on both counts. He may BELIEVE anything he wants – misguided or not – but I question the need for the Standard to dignify this sort of rubbish by providing a public forum.
It’s bad enough the references to President Bush and his administration were disgusting, inaccurate and juvenile, “another unelected warlord” for instance, but I’m particularly incensed when a fellow American denigrates our country by calling it “the Great Satan,” that favorite slur of militant Muslims. Mr. Stewart enhanced the epitaph by adding his own cute phrase: “And its Koalition of the Killing.”
I’m sure the troops on the firing line, the young men and women representing Britain, Australia, America and other nations, will be happy to know that, rather than being agents of freedom, they’re serving with a “Koalition of Killers.”
They may think they’re in Iraq to remove a terrible cancer from the world stage, but Mr. Stewart sees it otherwise. He seems to feel that those poor, misguided military people aren’t smart enough to realize they’re actually fighting President Bush’s “unsanctioned and illegal political war of aggression.” Balderdash!
Jane Fonda couldn’t have said it better. One can understand why Mr. Stewart felt it necessary to allot 40 percent of his article to defending his position.
I’m unable to close without clarifying the mantra of the “left” cited by Mr. Stewart. “My country, right or wrong” (incorrectly quoted) is a single phrase from the famous toast Stephen Decatur gave in 1814, but let’s look at what Commodore Decatur actually said:
“Our county! In her intercourse with foreign nations may she always be in the right: But our country, right or wrong.”
Isn’t that beautiful? Using just the last line adds a slant which Mr. Stewart may have intended. But the complete message reflects the true concept of America’s greatness. It shows the hope, even the prayer, our country will always act with honor. (And it’s worth nothing that Stephen Decatur led naval forces against Tripoli in our nations first pre-emptive war.)
Finally, it should also be noted that Commodore Decatur said “our” county, not “my” country as Mr. Stewart incorrectly quoted. That’s important, because the meanings are different. The essence of America is found in its concept of “We the people.” The founding fathers, men who exhibited all the foibles of humankind, managed to fashion a system that allows people of diverse shapes, colors, intellect and beliefs to be part of the whole. But the system works only when each of us respects the other, and when we present our opinions, and discuss our differences, in a rational manner.
Neither Mr. Stewart’s patriotism nor his stand on the war are at issue. I’m sure he’s an honorable man who loves our country passionately. But the danger for us all comes when we allow our passionate beliefs to degenerate into the unseemly name calling found in his article.
Sincerely,
A.M. Leggett
274 Todd Lane
McMinnville