LETTER: Participate, or lose out

Editor,

I believe that many USU students are losing sight of one of the critical concepts on which our nation was founded.

America’s birth was in dissension. We disagreed with the British monarchy and revolted. In order that abuse of the citizenry by the ruling authority would not occur again, a democracy was formed where one may express his views without fear of reprisal by the government, as provided by the First Amendment .

It is not un-American to express anti-war or pro-war views. Rather, both groups are showing a love for the democratic ideals that this country is based upon. Neither side is acting as traitors (a strong word which indicates an act of treason).

In the United States, an act of treason is defined in the Constitution as giving aid to its enemies, or levying war against it. For example, the soldier who is suspected of attacking his own unit in Kuwait is a traitor who will most likely be tried with treason, whereas protesters for peace are not traitors.

The ability to disagree is an integral part of a democracy, as is the right to express one’s views in public.

Here’s a quote from Teddy Roosevelt, a Republican president who was unabashedly outspoken – many times in unpopular ways. In “Roosevelt in the Kansas City Star,” he said: “The president is merely the most important among a large number of public servants. He should be supported or opposed exactly to the degree which is warranted by his good conduct or bad conduct, his efficiency or inefficiency in rendering loyal, able, and disinterested service to the nation as a whole. Therefore, it is absolutely necessary that there should be full liberty to tell the truth about his acts, and this means that it is exactly necessary to blame him when he does wrong as to praise him when he does right … To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.”

So I say, speak out! Clarify your support or feel safe in dissenting. Or mix it up – agree with the principle of the war and disagree with the administration, or vice-versa. By participating freely, we are all lovers of our country, patriots … In a word, American.

Nicole Davidson