Patriotic passions muzzle dissenting voices

(On one hand, patriotism is being quelled for the fear of offending others On the other hand, as this and other articles will illustrate, Americans are being criticized by other Americans for not being 'patriotic enough' Just today, In a perfect example of ironic un-American behavior, 3 Firefighters were suspended in a Florida court for not displaying an American flag on their vehicle. Apparently it is patriotic to ignore one of the most important foundations of America, our freedom of speech. In my opinion, un critical acceptance of a governments behavior is as non-democratic as one can get. After all, democracy is a government for the people by the people, it derives its strength through the uniqueness and diversity of its individuals. - Mike)

Patriotic passions muzzle dissenting voices
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Expressions of patriotism are so fervent, bordering on mandatory,
since the terrorist attacks that citizens who do or say anything
against the tide risk suffering a public backlash. Even those who
question military approaches or criticize politicians find
themselves under attack. (09/27/01)

from - http://www.wired.com/news/conflict/0,2100,47117,00.html

'United We Stand' -- Or Else Associated Press

7:01 a.m. Sep. 26, 2001 PDT

WASHINGTON -- Uneasy with America's flag-waving fervor? Button up or risk
being ostracized.

Expressions of patriotism are so fervent since the terrorist attacks that
citizens who do or say anything against the tide risk suffering a public
backlash.

After getting an earful from angry residents, school superintendent Louis
Ripatrazone in Roxbury, N.J., rescinded his order to remove "God Bless
America" from school signs. He thought a religious reference might be
offensive at school.

University of Texas professor Robert Jensen received unfriendly e-mails and
calls after writing an editorial suggesting that the attacks were "no more
despicable than the massive acts of terrorism" committed by the United
States.

University president Larry Faulkner dismissed suggestions that Jensen be
fired, but called his views a "fountain of undiluted foolishness."

Peace activists in Buffalo, N.Y., say they were labeled "un-American" and
"crazy communists" by hecklers.

Since thousands died in the Sept. 11 suicide crashes in New York, Washington
and Pennsylvania, some Americans have been pondering what it means to be
patriotic.

Is it unpatriotic to sell stocks? Is it wrong to flip the channel when "God
Bless America," not "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," is sung in the
seventh-inning stretch? Is it un-American to criticize President Bush?

When it comes to being patriotic, "a lot of people are willing to talk the
talk," says sociology professor Charles Moskos of Northwestern University.
"But if you really want to walk the walk, then donate blood or enlist in the
military."

On the other hand, Moskos says it's not unpatriotic to openly disagree with
the president, refrain from flying the flag or sell stocks in a down market.
"If I sold the stocks and sent the money out of the country, that would be
unpatriotic," he adds.

And switching TV channels? "What's patriotic about watching flag-waving
while 'God Bless America' is being sung?" Moskos asks. "A lot of this is
make-believe patriotism, patriotism on the cheap."

To some people, patriotism is unquestioning loyalty of the
my-country-right-or-wrong variety, says John Bodnar, chairman of Indiana
University's history department. To others, patriotism celebrates the rights
guaranteed by American democracy, including the right to dissent.

"People have carried the flag for many reasons," Bodnar said.

Since the attacks, some Americans, in the eyes of others, are failing the
patriotism test:

In Fort Myers, Fla., the head librarian at Florida Gulf Coast University
apologized for ordering employees to remove "Proud to be an American"
stickers to avoid offending foreign students. An outcry brought university
president William Merwin quickly back from an out-of-town meeting to rescind
the order and exclaim: "Patriotism on campus is welcomed."

In Boca Raton, Fla., the National Council of Compensation Insurance Holdings
Inc., reminded employees that to avoid divisiveness, the company banned
flags at work. After flags were taken from cubicles, the company website was
flooded with angry e-mails. The company apologized and handed out paper
flags and patriotic lapel pins.

Rep. Martin Meehan, D-Mass., posted a police guard outside his congressional
district office in Lowell, Mass., after receiving threatening phone calls. A
newspaper had quoted Meehan as saying he didn't believe Air Force One was
targeted by terrorists, the reason the White House gave for delaying
President Bush's return to Washington the day of the attacks. Meehan said
his views were misrepresented, and that he believed Bush has done "an
excellent job."

When Bill Maher, the host of ABC TV's "Politically Incorrect," called past
U.S. military practices "cowardly," viewers complained. ABC stuck by him,
but FedEx and Sears pulled their ads. Sears spokesman Lee Antonio said the
retailer decided not to advertise on the show after "customers voiced a
concern for bashing our leaders, our military and the country." Maher said
he only meant that the government has been scared to let the military do its
job.

In Berkeley, California, firefighters were ordered not to fly large U.S.
flags from their trucks because officials feared the rigs would be targeted
by anti-war protesters. After the city received a blistering response from
around the nation, fire officials apologized and issued smaller flags to fly
on the trucks.

Tired of the flag flap, Mayor Shirley Dean said: "Put the flags on the
trucks and get on with it."