LETTER: Be careful with political rants

Editor,

Gabe White’s article from the Aug. 28 issue entitled “Traitors surround the United States” demonstrates not only counterproductive partisan mudslinging, but also reasoning motivated solely by fear. The issue of regime change in Iraq remains highly controversial and hotly debated – which is not necessarily unfortunate. It is vital to approach any potential action there with caution, taking into consideration historical and contextual factors, else it backfire and we have, say, another Bay of Pigs on our hands.

It is dangerous, especially post Sept. 11, to use “patriotism” as a political tool, lest it develop pejorative connotations. Patriotism is not blind allegiance to a leader regardless of what policy he or she adopts. To not question the president or his decisions would be undemocratic, foolish and most definitely unpatriotic.

Political science is a discipline that encourages equal treatment of all sides of an issue. Ultimately, Mr. White’s assumptions about Iraq may be correct, but I urge him to logically form those assumptions.

Nick Raichart