Patriotism, according to the dictionary, is the love of one’s country. It’s a simple concept, and a feeling almost universally shared by Americans, from those who instinctively support all that is done in their name, to those who dwell on our weaknesses. Despite our differences, most of our countrymen and women understand just how blessed we are to be living in this nation.
So when the patriotism of a fellow American is questioned, tempers flare. That’s what happened after one of my most respected colleagues, John Murtha, a long-time Congressman, a decorated Vietnam War veteran who served 37 years in the Marines, and an acknowledged expert on military matters, called for the United States “to immediately redeploy U.S. troops consistent with the safety of U.S. forces.” White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan responded by equating the conservative Murtha’s stand to “the policy positions of Michael Moore and the extreme liberal wing of the Democratic party,” and by characterizing it as a “surrender to the terrorists.” On the floor of the House, Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-Ohio), a congresswoman of less than three months, delivered “a message” to him: “Cowards cut and run. Marines never do.” At this point, boos and shouts erupted from Members who could see the launching of another political “Swift Boat” attack on yet another war hero, as well as a clear violation of House rules.
Is it unpatriotic to criticize a government at war? Do suggestions that disastrous U.S. policies be abandoned amount to giving aid and comfort to the enemy? Whether one agrees with Congressman Murtha or not, I strongly believe the answer is “no.” The right to disagree is the greatest strength of a democracy, for it is only through free and open debate that the wisest course may be chosen. Matters of war and peace are no exception. To try to silence dissent by labeling opponents un-American or unpatriotic is nothing new, but it remains as toxic as ever. As Adlai Stevenson said half a century ago, “To strike freedom of the mind with the fist of patriotism is an old and ugly subtlety.”
Stevenson made his comment during the height of the Cold War, as our country was being torn apart by the vicious and unsupported anti-Communist witch hunt of Senator Joe McCarthy and others. The courage it took to report the truth in the face of McCarthy’s tactics is brilliantly depicted in the recent movie, “Good Night and Good Luck.” As a World War II correspondent, Edward R. Morrow had demonstrated his courage and love of country repeatedly. That, however, did not deter McCarthy as he attempted to smear Morrow and his colleagues when they broadcast news stories exposing how McCarthy’s lies had destroyed innocent Americans.
In the 1960s and 70s, opponents of the Vietnam War were accused of aiding the enemy. In December, 2001, then-Attorney General John Ashcroft leveled the same charges when objections were made to the Bush Administration’s plan for dealing with detainees. Instead of acknowledging the civil liberties problems raised by the plan, he accused critics of giving “ammunition to America’s enemies, and pause to America’s friends. They encourage people of good will to remain silent in the face of evil.”
Precisely the opposite is the danger. It is the civic obligation of citizens to speak out when our nation is threatened. Maine’s Senator Margaret Chase Smith said it best. Like Morrow, she stared Joseph McCarthy down as she stood in the well of the U.S. Senate and delivered this “Declaration of Conscience.”
Those of us who shout the loudest about Americanism in making character assassinations are all too frequently those who, by our own words and acts, ignore some of the basic principles of Americanism-
The right to criticize;
The right to hold unpopular beliefs;
The right to protest;
The right of independent thought.
The exercise of these rights should not cost one single American citizen his reputation or his right to a livelihood, nor should he be in danger of losing his reputation or livelihood merely because he happens to know someone who holds unpopular beliefs.
Who of us doesn’t? Otherwise none of us could call our souls our own.”
Those who would silence debate about Iraq today should remember Senator Smith’s words.
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