Patriotism shouldn’t silence our voices

During Reagan’s administration, Afghanistan lost 2 million-plus lives fighting the Soviet Union. When the Soviets retreated in defeat, other countries in the Eastern bloc rose up against their oppression. East Germany was one of them, and the wall came down. In Afghanistan, a liberal movement was under way. This movement was practiced mostly in secret but it was catching on and the people were becoming empowered. The Reagan administration thought this to be to threatening, so the administration backed the right wing fanatics (Taliban) and the liberal movement was all but wiped out.

Also, when President Reagan was in office, the U.S. was tried by the International Tribunal in The Hague, and found guilty of committing acts of terrorism for the atrocities we perpetuated in Nicaragua. There was the Iran contra scandal, where Reagan engineered the sending of arms to the enemy. And the prepared infant formula vote by Reagan, after being informed this product was killing 1 million babies every year, continued sending it.

During the elder Bush’s reign, this country fell into heavy deficits, and the day after savings and loan revelations became public (comparable to the millions this Enron tragedy will cost the taxpayers) war was declared on Iraq. George Sr.’s son, Neil Bush, made a lot of money on that scam.

While 9-11 was under way, Enron, which put George W. Bush in all his offices, was busy shredding. Rep. Cynthia McKinney Georgia asked the question: “What did Bush know, and when?” After 9-11, 15 journalists were fired for asking the same question.

People are afraid to speak out now. But there are many people out here who are aware of what’s going on. Some people are confused and feel they will be labeled unpatriotic. What’s really frightening to me is this atmosphere of censorship and condemnation of free speech currently in vogue.

My father was an officer in World War II and the Korean War, and he fought on the beaches of Normandy, where he won the Distinguished Service Cross and Purple Heart. He also won two more purple hearts with an oak leaf cluster, the Bronze Star, and other commendations; because of his willingness to lay down his life for this country, he will never know his grandchildren. My great-grandfather won the Congressional Medal of Honor.

I believe my family to care deeply for this country; that’s why I am writing this letter, asking, “how informed are you?”

Mukilteo

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