Columnist is unpatriotic

Lt. Col. Dan Chapman, USAF (ret.)
Memphis, Tenn.

Dear Editor:

In response to Brian Smith's "New Vegetarianism" (Oct. 26), I take issue with his inappropriate analogy to patriotism. While meat-eating and vegetarianism can be logically related, "patriotism" is open to wider interpretation.

Mr. Smith's conclusions about President Bush, flag burning or the United Nations have no basis other than his own opinion as to whether a proper definition of patriot should include his criteria.

Using his logic, I could brand him as unpatriotic based on my opinion, which could include, say, military service. That‚s reasonably patriotic, isn't it? I served 25 years in the U.S. Air Force, including time in the Persian Gulf. Therefore, I could charge him as being "UNpatriotic" merely because I (could) believe every patriot should be a veteran. If he is not, my criteria would cast him out as a patriot-wannabe, unsuited for patriot-vesting until he served in the military. Perhaps Brian has served, in which case, I wholeheartedly welcome him into my "Patriot Club." But if he hasn't, I'd welcome him anyway, just as I do my patriot friends who hold Mr. Bush accountable for bad judgment, or those who express their patriotic rights to burn colored cloth.

Lt. Col. Dan Chapman, USAF (ret.)
Memphis, Tenn.

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