“In a broad sense, SATS are simply trying to emphasize the importance of human liberation and expand the marketplace of ideas on the USD campus.” — Robert Swan, Ph. D
In a broader sense, Dr. Swan and Patrick Linsenmeyer decided to make a political event out of something designed to honor the soldiers who have given their lives to give this country a beginning, who have given their lives to defend this country from the Nazis and Japanese and who even now give their lives to defend their country from the extremists and the anarchists who want to tear down the Western culture and Christianity to spread their perverted view of religion.
By placing the upside down flags, you not only desecrated an event that has meaning for millions of Americans, your actions serve to illustrate your ignorance on the issues which you espouse so dearly.
If you are trying to emphasize the importance of human liberation and expand the marketplace of ideas, and not just commit a hateful act, let’s look at some facts. Saddam Hussein gassed hundreds of thousands of Kurds in the late 1980s; Warlords in Afghanistan had carved the country up into little fiefdoms following the Soviet exit.
Millions were killed in the indiscriminate aftermath, including the Taliban takeover where dissidents were killed outright, women were and enslaved and extremists multiplied.
Since the United States of America invaded Iraq, they have had two successful elections, with almost 7,000 people running for public office in the March 7, 2010 elections. If Mr. Linsenmeyer would like the Iraqi civilians to have a say, why doesn’t he ask them?
Public opinion is changing. Many Iraqis do not want us to leave because they realize the benefits we have brought to their country. Security has improved, quality of life has improved, and Iraqis now have a chance. In a country that has seen a tyrant, religious extremists and a sectarian war, peace is now a strong option, thanks to the sacrifices born by the United States Military.
Professor Swan and Mr. Linsenmeyer are correct. Radical thought, differing beliefs and the expansion of the marketplace of ideas on the USD campus are a noble and honorable cause.
As a matter of fact, U.S. military members have fought and died for you to exercise your rights. However, when you exercise your rights ignorantly, you not only perform a disservice to all those who died to give you those rights, you also do your cause a disservice.
If you oppose military occupations in other countries, send your congressman a letter, write the President, but why dishonor the Americans who fought and died so you can live your life in freedom?
The American military does not make foreign policy, the people you elect do. We serve the Commander in Chief, the representative of the American body and the representation of your peers. By dishonoring those who serve the American public, you not only disgrace those who have fallen, but you disgrace yourself.
First Lt. Nathan Becker
USD Alum
Baghdad
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