Letter to the Editor

Criticizing president is a right

Monday, June 11, 2007

Dear editor:

I have read with a great deal of interest the communications between Courtney Hiler, Ted Mikolajczyk and Mike Bradbury. Their passion for their beliefs and their convictions are very evident in their letters.

I remember when I was a young NCO and my supervisor would listen to my justifications to some actions I had just taken and he would say, "You are right, but you are wrong!" This applies in their case.

We need to follow our government, but we don't have to fall our sword to do it. In uniform we silently voiced our dissatisfactions at the polls on election day. Out of uniform we not only voice our dissatisfaction at the polls, but we do it openly to our elected official via e-mails, snail mail and telephone calls. Democracy is a great thing.

Here is a thought I would like to share with Courtney, Ted and Mike. It was taken from a program souvenir for the Vietnam Memorial, dated 1982. It was done by Henry J. Gray, then Chairman and CEO of United Technologies.

ON PATRIOTISM

True patriotism is more than getting a lump in your throat when the flag passes by. It involves determination on your part to see that America remains free. It involves your willingness to put the best interest of the nation ahead of your own self-interest. Single interest may be important. But the art of democracy is the ability to recognize the common good. The ability to give, not just take. 231 million people can pull our nation apart or pull it together. Which way did you pull today?

As far as being able to criticize President George W. Bush, it's our right as citizens of this great country. As for President Bush's performance in office, I'm reminded of what Abraham Lincoln said, "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power."