To the editor:

I am sadly not too surprised at the abundance of letters to the editor in support of a war in Iraq. However, it’s not so easy for me to grasp how those supporters of war can deem themselves the true patriots and at the same time oppose what the protesters of war are doing. When did it become patriotic to not only support the killing of innocent people (not to mention U.S. troops) but oppose so much of what America stands for?

Perhaps these “patriots” have forgotten what their country stands for. The First Amendment does blatantly let the people know that they do have freedom of speech and they can peacefully assemble to oppose what the government is doing. America is a place in which people have always done these things, and I think it is necessary to continue this tradition. We are the people, we make this nation what it is, and if we disagree with what our nation is doing then it is the people’s job to stand up and oppose it.

Peace!

Erica Goddard,

Lawrence