your response to the little piglet from UMass was excellent and inspiring. You described everything that needed so doing; Tillman's character and bravery as defined by his joining up (and NOT because he was a rich man foregoing his fame), the historical precedents of patriotism as the norm our forefathers had, and the inherent cowardice and hypocrisy that is rife within the left.
As an American of Puerto Rican ancestry, I can attest to the seeming insanity of living in a worldview defined by group identities and a continual, daily cheapening of the values upon which America is built. It is a life where - if one does not take that extra step to find out why things are the way others say they are - one can easily find that white means bad, black and brown means good, thought and logic are eschewed in favor of feelings, which naturally leads to what we FReepers easily recognize today as moral relativism and bowing before the Most Wise Goddess of Non-Judgementalism.
From there, it is a seemingly small step towards denying belief in anything that requires taking a stand in favor of Western Judeo-Christian values... because these same values allowed Humanity to free itself from the sort of group-centered views that once defined our ancient and tribal beginnings, and which in some parts of the world - Iraq with it's Sunni/Shia/Kurd and tribal structures comes to mind - still exist.
Perhaps it's not such a small step after all - I'm reminded of a book written by Dr. Scott Peck, "People of the Lie" - wherein the author convinced me that those who spend years living a lie may come to a point where they privately realize their lies, yet still cannot free themselves from the lies because in their revelation, they see that they have built their life upon a false foundation... and at that point, the ordinary nature of their humanity decides it is too difficult to accept their wrong and change. What could have been an epiphany instead becomes yet another compromise against seeking the truth... and it's sooo much easier to do! A small step, indeed... not so small when one looks into the mirror of his soul, and sees behind his reflection the falsehoods that lie behind him.
Mr. Gonzales lives his lie yet, this I feel certain of despite not (nor ever wanting to...) knowing him. He is a Fool, and furthermore, one who has probably spent many tens of thousands of dollars (... of either his money or his daddy's, probably the latter, but that's not important - he's "entitled" to it...) gaining the education at a "prestigious" university that has made him the fool he is today.
At first impression, I would likely give him the benefit of the doubt, see his articulateness (not to be mistaken as proof of integrity &/or character) and say there is yet hope for him, or that maybe he hasn't yet reached the point in his life where he re-appraises that life, that point where he "looks into the mirror of his soul". Further reading of his comments regarding Pat Tillman, though, indicate to me that he might already have had his chance, and - in looking at that reflection in the mirror, and all that lay behind it - decided that it was easier to continue living the lie than it was to seek the truth, or to dare to rebuild his life on a foundation of character, integrity, patriotism and faith in God.
But having made this decision, Gonzales still doesn't like what he saw in his reflection... someone must be blamed! Pat Tillman - American Hero - was a convenient target, and one whom - from I pray be his current place in the Right Palm of our Lord - would not respond in defense against the charges brought against him by this little pup. Mr. Gonzales knows cowardice well; he epitomizes it.
Mr. Gonzales in his disgusting attack against Pat Tillman, attacks all Americans of good will and love of country. To paraphrase John Adams, Rene Gonzales "...is no countryman of mine...".
CGVet58