Opinion

First the flags, now it's treason

Richard Whitrock
Opinion Columnist

After last weekis flag debacle in which a government worker was asked to take down his flag because it might offend some anti-war people, I decided to research how many more examples of temporary brain loss I could find. Unfortunately, my research indicates either one of two things: Either stupidity is contagious, or a cosmic joke is at foot that isnit very funny.

A university in Ohio has told students that they cannot display flags from campus buildings because it might hurt anti-war studentsi feelings. Apparently, the flag is a voodoo item that will curse all those who come into contact with its evil powers.

In the ultimate example of taking leave of oneis senses, a college professor at Columbia University has called for the massacre of U.S. troops. Nicholas DeGenova even said he would "personally like to see a million Mogadishus" (the Somali city where 18 American soldiers were slaughtered). 

DeGenova also said "the only true heroes are those who find ways that help defeat the U.S. military" and "if we really believe that this war is criminal … then we have to believe in the victory of the Iraqi people and the defeat of the U.S. war machine."

Some anti-war people have gone so far as to justify the use of chemical weapons by the Republican Guard if Saddam decides to use them. They apparently believe that since Saddam is fighting for his life, using those weapons is fine.

How many brain cells do you have to lose to be one of these people? Do they not realize that they live in America, and the troops they are lambasting -- the troops upon whom they wish mass murder -- are here to protect them? Even the French have said if Saddam uses chemical weapons they would change their stance -- and to be more extreme than Chirac says a lot.

I can tolerate a lot, but the line must be drawn somewhere. Anti-war is OK, even a measure of anti-Americanism -- but Professor DeGenova should be arrested and tried for treason. Calling for the massacre of American soldiers in wartime, even if he believes the war is criminal, is nothing less than treason, and he should be labeled a traitor of the American people and deported from the country at once.

Raising the American flag in wartime should never, ever be unacceptable, no matter what message some people might get from it. Those that exercise their power to keep Old Glory from flying should be stripped of their positions of power and prosecuted for violating both the First Amendment and basic levels of human decency.

Supporting the death of American troops or advocating harm to anything American will not solve anyoneis inferiority complex, nor will it make anyone an important person. It is never necessary to tear someone else down to make oneself a valuable human being, and it is both sad and pathetic that so many people -- even Americans -- think it is.

If calling for the defeat and death of American soldiers who give their lives to protect Americans is necessary to your psyche, then I have only one thing to say to you: Get out or get help.

If displaying the American flag on American soil is offensive to you and makes it necessary for you to seek therapy, send the bill to the American troops fighting for your safety.

Whitrock, a sophomore architecture major, can be reached at richard_whitrock@hotmail.com.