What does it mean to be un-American?

Brad Rhymer

First I would like to thank Michael Brenner for his article on Thursday, "Patriotism is not a substitute for success." It was dead on.

Secondly, I would also like to thank Jennifer Killham for her most entertaining letter to the editor on the same day. Her imaginative connection of "proper flag etiquette" with fighting terrorism reminds me of some of my favorite comedies. The idea that paying proper respect to our flag has the power to discourage terrorism, and that improper use is equivalent to "aiding and abetting the terrorists" really belongs on an episode of Monty Python or Family Guy.

Sadly, I was pulled out of my reverie by the realization that this comedy is reality. Across the country, people are nodding their heads in solemn agreement when told that Iraq, Iran and North Korea are part of an "axis of evil," that "France is our enemy" (Thanks Bill O≠Reilly!), that the Patriot Act is good for our country and that flag owners will save us from the terrorists. But hey, if it≠s the position of our government, it must be true, so why question it, even for a second?

When our country was the last industrialized nation of the planet to abolish slavery, hey, we were just trying to hold on to cheap, profitable labor. When McCarthyism made a mockery of our judicial system, we were just trying to prevent espionage and . . . terrorism. When our government sends troops to invade county after country pursuing its own economic and political goals, we're just "protecting our interests" and securing democracy. And when the government asks for more funds to add fat to the already insanely bloated United States military budget, well . . . um . . .

Excuses and euphemisms fail me.

Surprisingly, though, it seems below most Americans just concern ourselves with the outrageous claims being fed to us by the government and the media. Questioning our leadership has somehow become, as Mr. Brenner neatly pointed out, "un-American." What a marvelous expression! This catch-all term can be used for anyone who has valid points that you don≠t agree with.

Personally, if being "American" consists of rote regurgitation of popular slogans and thoughtless, undying devotion to whatever idiot manages to buy his way into the presidency ("My country, right or wrong!"), then I am decidedly "un-American."

If, however, being "American" consists of questioning what our leaders tell us, decrying their injustices and denouncing their attacks on our liberties and contempt for our intelligence, then I think that we can all benefit from being more "American." If we fail to make use of our constitutional rights that allow us to do just that, they will inevitably fade away. The Patriot Act and future assaults on our liberties will see to that.

Brad Rhymer

Senior, linguistics

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