Political Blog Pursuing Balance & Moderation in American Politics

This last week MoveOn.Org generated a firestorm of controversy by taking out a full page ad questioning the veracity of reports by General Patraeus to Congress regarding the war in Iraq. Although I have not personally seen the ad in question, from all that I have read, I too find the ad disparaging General Patraeus to be indefensible. General Petraeus is acting honorably in the service of his country to do that which he has been asked to do. There is no good that can come from attacking our millitary officials for attempting to do their job.

However, I do take issue with the tone of political arguments related to criticism of the administration or the war - or any administration or any war. What makes the United States of America great is the right of its citizens to participate in its governance. As far as I am concerned this is a God given right that comes with the absolute freedom to exercise it at (almost) any time and for (almost) any reason. Today we are at war - in a war that many believe is necessary to protect our country from terror - but there are many who do not believe that is what we are doing. As citizens of this country, they are entitled to their opinion and they are entitled to express it. I take issue with anyone who claims that a citizen is any less of a patriot for questioning his country’s involvement in a war. This is NOT aiding and abetting the enemy. The war today may be justifiable - but one day we may be involved in a war that is not - and when that day comes, I sure hope there are citizens who will stand up and express their opinions instead of being afraid they are going to be denounced as weak, or unpatriotic, or as traitors. I do not believe anyone wants to live in a repressive society where people lose their jobs or are branded, hated, or discriminated against for their political opinions. I honestly pray, at times, that we in this country are beyond that. The tactic of demonizing people for their opinions is despicable and is a tactic that is trotted out when the proposition one supports cannot be defended on its own grounds. Our government leaders are not infallible - sometimes they make mistakes - and they are subject to the will of the people. The will of the people cannot be known unless it is expressed.

Good citizens can appreciate that in a pluralistic society - people will have differing viewpoints - the right to have differences is not terminated when we declare war. Being against the war - does not equate to being critical or unappreciative of our troops - the two concepts are utterly unrelated. We should appreciate the fact that there is still debate in our country about the decisions our leaders make. When the debate stops - oppression begins. Here the criticism was directed toward a millitary officer acting in an official capacity, and should not have been. However, questioning the ideas of our politicians, candidates, and prevailing policies is always fair game, regardless of the subject.