|
|
Political |
|
|
|
Presidential Candidate John Kerry recently
displayed courage in calling for a regime change in Washington DC.
Senator Kerry, a Democrat, was campaigning for President and commented
about his displeasure with President Bush’s handling of the war in
Iraq. Kerry was concerned about the damage the war was doing to our
relations with some of our closest allies. Kerry stated that it was his
belief that only a new President could repair the damage. In making his
comments, Kerry said, “What we need now is not just a regime change in
Saddam Hussein and Iraq, but we need a regime change in the United
States," Immediately following these remarks, Republican
leaders Dennis Hastert, Tom Delay, and Marc Racicot suggested that
Senator Kerry was un-American for making these comments in a time of
war. These Republicans claim Kerry’s comments show that he does not
support our troops. Tom Delay called the comments “desperate and
inappropriate.” Delay further denounced Kerry’s statement by saying,
“America before New Hampshire.” Racicot stated Kerry “crossed a
grave line” in calling for the replacement of a President in a time of
war. Since when did we stop exercising our right of
free speech in time of war. Moreover, nothing in Kerry’s speech showed
a lack of support for our troops. Kerry, in all actuality, should be
commended for making his comments; comments that go to the heart of the
problems facing us with this war. Had Kerry made any statement regarding our
troops, or any comment undermining their role in Iraq, he certainly
would have crossed the line. What Kerry did is what Republicans do not
want any of us to do, question the President, his actions, and the
errors he is making as President. We live in society where we can exercise the
right of free speech. Delay and Racicot seem to want us to put our right
of free speech in a “lock box” during this war. Republicans want us
to blindly follow this President, and keep any questions we have about
his conduct “locked away.” During this time of war, these Republican
leaders are suggesting that our right of free speech is suspended. Delay
and Racicot want to put free speech on hold requiring us to blindly
follow our leaders. Anyone opening the lock box to express themselves
during this “time of war” is “unpatriotic and un American”
according to Delay and Racicot. Senator Kerry displayed courage in making his
comments. Whether he is right or wrong is not the point, Kerry exercised
his right of free speech. As a decorated war veteran, Kerry is more than
qualified to discuss issues of war. He is more than qualified to raise
questions about the President’s actions in taking us to war. Now, more than ever, all of us need to keep in
mind that we have a right to speak out for, or against, this President.
It is our duty to speak out when we can. Delay and Racicot are simply
wrong—we cannot blindly allow any leader to take any action he or she
desires under the guise of war. Kerry’s statements were neither unpatriotic
nor “desperate and inappropriate.” Kerry’s criticism brought to
light the damage we are suffering from being at war. His comments were
aimed at questioning how the President’s actions are damaging this
country’s image in the world community. Kerry, as an American,
displayed courage in exercising his right to free speech. Americans
should applaud his actions, actions demonstrating that we live in a free
society, allowing us to have a free exchange of ideas. John Kerry definitely supports our troops. As a
decorated Vietnam Veteran, he has served our country by going to war.
There is no basis to believe that he does not support our country or our
troops. By making these statements, Mr. Kerry has shown that he has more
courage than either Delay or Racicot. During this time, we cannot put our right to
free speech in “a lock box.” To do so undermines the very document
that gives us this right, the Constitution. John Kerry must continue to speak out; it is his
right under the Constitution of the United States. Stuart James |
