Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor;

Congressman John Murtha performed his most honorable task recently when he called for an end to our military exercise in Iraq because it was harmful to our own country, poorly deployed, and based on false premises.

Murtha spent 37 years in the Marine Corps, earned the Bronze Star, two purple hearts, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, and the Navy Distinguished Service Medal. For the last thirty years he's been one of the most respected voices in Congress on military issues -- universally respected by Democrats, Republicans and military brass alike. Yet Dick Cheney said this about Congressman Murtha's recent remarks:

" . . . the president and I cannot prevent certain politicians from losing their memory, or their backbone."

Do Murtha's character and achievements mean so little to the commander in chief and Vice President that his words can't make them pause to reflect on their own capricious rush to conflict? It is shameful that anyone serving in public office and particularly those two gentlemen who should best represent the overall character of good Americans would so easily and disdainfully dismiss the considered words of a respected, decorated leader.

How are ordinary Americans supposed to exercise the flipside of courageous patriotism, dissent, when even congressmen are dressed down for it? The President and the Vice President are acting like children in the schoolyard. It’s embarrassing—and dangerous.

I cherish my right to complain. It is important that this freedom be exercised without hesitation for fear of persecution. When a citizen questions the authority of the President, it is not anti-American. It does not harm our troops to question their purpose in Iraq and call for their swift return. It is the essence of patriotism.

To disrespect considered dissent is to disrespect freedom of speech, which is to disrespect the very core principal the President and Vice President have sworn to uphold—the freedom of the citizens of these United States.If you can't express your ideas you aren't free.

If anyone in this fracas has proven themselves unpatriotic, it is Dick Cheney and George W. Bush.