Posted on 10/23/2001 1:54:33 PM PDT by UB355
Kathleen is a person of peace.(Oh Please, but now you know what follows)
And, recently, that has earned her a lot of conflict.
She is a member of a small minority of Americans who believe our nation should not conduct a military war on terrorism - just a financial and diplomatic one. According to recent polls, she and her kindred spirits account for less than 15% of our citizenry.
Lately, she has begun to feel that the war on terrorism is, to some degree, being waged against people like her, as well as al-Qaida.
"I've been screamed at, called a 'traitor' and, in one instance, threatened with physical violence," she explained, her voice burdened with sadness.
What has Kathleen done to deserve these verbal assaults? Burned the American flag? Marched in anti-war demonstrations? Defended bin Laden?
Courage of convictions
None of the above. During conversations with family, neighbors and co-workers, she has quietly and respectfully expressed her opinion that war is not the answer.
"In America right now, being a voice for peace requires more courage than it did a few weeks ago," she reflected.
Throughout her 50-some years, Kathleen's heroes have not been generals, warriors or CIA agents. Instead, she has looked to the likes of Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., John Lennon and Jesus Christ, to name a few.
These proponents of non-violent action, while still publicly admired (and, in the case of Christ, religiously worshipped), have not been invoked a great deal since Sept. 11. Their messages of peace and reconciliation have largely disappeared in a fog of rage.
"I understand better now why so many peacemakers have been persecuted or assassinated," Kathleen explained. "The need for vengeance is very strong in some human hearts, and someone who tries to pacify that need often becomes its next target."
"Do you consider yourself a patriot?" I asked her.
"Very much so," she replied. "I love this country deeply. It has its problems, but it is a nation of high ideals and hope."
What does it take?
"What do you think being a patriot requires?" I wondered.
"There's more to it than sticking an American flag on your car," she answered. "If you truly believe in what this country stands for - liberty and equality - then you respect and protect the right of your fellow citizens to disagree with your point of view."
I recalled the anthems on the home front during the Vietnam War: "My country, right or wrong, but my country," along with "Love it or leave it." Once again a debate rages in media circles and on street corners about political dissent during times of armed conflict.
Some argue that speaking out against military action while the nation's troops are in peril aids and abets our enemies and undermines morale. Others maintain that suppressing freedom of speech plays into the hands of the terrorists, helping them achieve the objective of subverting the world's greatest democracy.
"It doesn't surprise me that people don't agree with me and that they want to debate me," Kathleen explained. "I welcome that. What surprises and disappoints me is that they attempt to intimidate me into silence."
By definition, patriotism is love of one's country and what it stands for. A big part of what America stands for is freedom of speech, the right to disagree with the majority without being harassed or silenced.
Patriotism is not about intolerance and repression.
Terrorism is.
Contact Philip Chard at (262) 547-3986, e-mail him at pschard@earthlink.net, or visit his Web site at www.healingnature.com. Appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Oct. 23, 2001.
The need for a violent response in this case is not because of a need for vengeance, it is a rational need to put a stop to the mass killings. If we don't take these necessary steps now, my dear Kathleen, you may be next.
You certainly aren't a gentleman.
Please: NO profanity, NO personal attacks, NO racism or violence in posts.
Kathy's philosophy is suicide for America.
Does anyone think she might be part of group of people who complain about the sanctions we place on places like Iraq, or could place on Afghanistan, while it's the leaders of these despot countries that cause the most harm to its people?
I will confront these traitors anywhere they congregate. If they think anti-war protest is going to be a fun, touchy feely day's work we'll try to bring the reality of that first attack on America home to them.
It goes without saying that violence is not the answer to these stupid naive misguided souls. Verbal confrontation is. A thousand people yelling "Traitors all!" to a thousand of these traitors should do the trick.
This is the new-age version of Jesus, not the Jesus found in the Bible.
Jesus did preach peace and loving your neighbor, but he did not say never be a solidier, or that all wars were unjust.
There are numerous instances of soldiers in the New Testament, never is there any condemnation of the fact that they were soldiers.
Check the last part of Revelation. Not only does Jesus come back and lead an army, he does all of the fighting.
As individuals we are not to get justice on our own. Governements were created to do that. Sometimes that includes war.
A case for a 'right war' with a 'right heart'.
God has already 'won' this war. Just being sure that we all agree that we have 'One Nation Under God'.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.