In a final round of e-mails touched off by a Neuharth column in USA Today, many strongly disagree with the notion that it is unpatriotic to question the conduct of a war.
By Greg Mitchell
(December 30, 2004) --
Yesterday’s column (if you missed it, read it below) in turn provoked a strong response much more favorable to Neuharth who, as we pointed out previously, served his country in World War II in Europe and the Pacific, earning a Bronze Star. Excerpts from the latest letters, mainly pro-Neuharth or pro-freedom of the press, follow. They accurately reflect the tone of the letters that arrived.
Alberto Saavedra: “The excerpts you posted have me very worried. Thank you for waking me up.”
Paul A. Cox: “As a retired veteran, I truly believe we shouldn't be there. Let’s bring my fellow soldiers home. But what makes our country great is that we can disagree on this war. Just because someone doesn't agree with the war, doesn't mean they do not support the troops. I can remember after serving in Desert Storm, we got a lot of support because people believed why we were there.”
Scott W. Phillips, Lutz, FL: “If one American soldier dies because your anti-war diatribes prolong the terrorists’ resistance, then you both are human debris. And no it's not patriotic to protest the war while our guys are in combat. That is Vietnam era bullshit. It was then too.”
Al Sayers, Pound Ridge, NY: “These are difficult times. It is difficult to think that we are engaged in a war for made up reasons and that the people in that country do not view us kindly and that perhaps those men and women who died in Iraq for us died in vain. I understand that it makes people angry. It makes me angry. But denouncing those who disagree with us is not the American way.”
Suzanne DeBolt, Niceville, FL: “Neuharth's column was an act of bravery. I commend him for it. But, whether one agrees with him or not, it is true that the media has fallen short in its role as the watchdog of government in recent years, most egregiously during 2002 in the run-up to the Iraq War. That is why Neuharth's bold journalism was so refreshing, and why it generated such a vicious response.”
Wade O'Hara Kane, Crescent City, FL: "I guess what gets me the most are those twits that don't realize or care that he fought in WW II. But what do I know? I'm just a bleeding heart Vietnam combat vet."
Jerry Rust, Long Beach, CA: “I'm sorry, Mr. Mitchell, but patriotism means supporting your government. If you ask for the withdrawal of troops when your government wants the troops to remain, then you are not a patriot. It's that simple.”
Wilmoth E. Nichols, Arispe, Iowa: "I am the wife of a veteran of WWII. My late husband served 52 months in the military during that time, he was in the 509th Composite Group and this is the unit that dropped the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Two of my sons served in Vietnam, not in the Texas Air National Guard. I am very much opposed to the war in Iraq, I predicted that if we started a war there it would bring Muslims from all over the world to support the Iraqis. If I, a mere housewife in little Arispe, IA, population 85, could see this, why could not the powers that be in Washington see it? I defy ANYONE to tell me that I am unpatriotic because I oppose this war!"
Ellen Johnson, Dallas, TX: “I note that every one of these letters (except those with initials whose sex I can't determine) are from men. Why are they here? Why aren't they fighting in Iraq if they're so gung-ho for this war?”
Elaine Supkis, Petersburgh, NY: “I do hope you forward all the pro-war letters to the Pentagon. Obviously, these men are eager to fight and since we are sending grannies and gramps to Iraq to fight, none of them are too old to put their money where their mouths are.”
Ben Spiker: “You can’t stop writing about these people who don’t understand what freedom of speech is. If you do, they will win eventually. It takes courage, but please keep printing the vilest of the vile emails and shine the harsh light on these people. Silence is not an option.”
Robert Burnett: “You state he served his country in WW2. What country was that? During WW2 what newspapers published pull-out editorials? Why do you suppose there were none."
Elaine Cole: “Mr. Neuharth is following in the footsteps of all great citizens of history, those who seek an end to injustice, no matter its form. I applaud his efforts, and I am pleased to note that the majority of Americans (in the latest Gallup Poll) at last agree with him that this war was a mistake.”
Greg Frayser, Nashville, TN: “What would Jesus do?”
Nancy Schmelter, Chicago, IL: “The reaction to Neuharth's article is a microcosmic sample of a psychosis that is rampant in this country. The rabid bullying, overt threats, and boycotts on rational debate are now synonymous with patriotism. This is ‘top-down’ stuff endorsed by government leaders, teachers, preachers, and yes, journalists.”
Michael Sidoric, Austin, TX: "I appreciate your balanced coverage of Neuharth's OpEd piece as well as the blazing reaction. Informed, thoughtful, and respectful discourse is the bedrock of society, not just democracy. I applaud your efforts to raise the bar from the gutter, aspiring for at least curb-height.
John Johnson: “Actually I find the increasing viciousness in the verbal attacks on Neuharth quite encouraging for the anti-war segment of US society. Increased anger would seem to indicate the pro war faction’s basic core beliefs are being more & more threatened. This, in time, will cause their reassessment of their core beliefs. A recent poll shows more Americans than ever before (51%) think the Iraq war was a mistake. I'm sure this figure will continue to rise over time, just as in Vietnam.”
Howard Bixler: “The old mainstream media is an abomination. Totally BIASED to the FAR LEFT, anti-American, anti-Christian and anti-military! My friends and I are carefully teaching our children the TRUTH about the media and academia! God Bless traditional America!”
John Dente, Wilmingtonm, DE: “Al Neuharth is a brave man and a true hero who speaks the truth to the lies and propaganda that brought us to this unfolding catastrophe in Iraq. Unfortunately, it is the media and the court reporters that have contributed to this hysteria by failing to pursue the stories about lack of evidence of weapons of mass destruction, the disgrace brought to the military by torture sanctioned at the highest levels, and the real threats to our liberties in the form of The Patriot Act.”
Desmond Morista: “Thank you for posting those e-mails and for the position held by Editor and Publisher for freedom of expression. These are extremely important services to our society.”
Luther G. Adcock, Sr.: “Hey Greg, fuck off, you old asshole.”
Some Readers Want to Lock Up Al Neuharth
Apparently, it is now an act of treason to offer an editorial opinion on the Iraq war that goes against the conventional wisdom.
By Greg Mitchell
(December 29, 2004) --
Some among us, however, may not recognize how virulent the anti-media strain has become, and the possible consequences. So let the following case history serve as an eye-opener or reminder, as the case may be.
This hardly seemed like a radical, traitorous notion. For one thing, it appeared in an opinion column, and surely, in our country, every American has a right to his or her opinion? Secondly, it came at a time when, according to the latest Gallup poll, a majority of American believe it was a mistake to invade Iraq in the first place, and feel the war is not going well for us.
Finally, since so few in the media have called for a withdrawal, you would think those who strongly support the war would not feel unduly threatened by one man's opinion. The New York Times, for example, wants the U.S. to send more troops there.
Yet, our brief article about the Neuharth column (which did not endorse his position) got linked at numerous other Web sites, and drew more letters than virtually any story we have ever posted. We presented a few excerpts from those letters, pro and con, in a second article on Dec. 24, but we did not quote from some of the nastiest--and, believe me, there were plenty in that category to choose from.
Just to give you an idea of what's out there, in the zeitgeist, here are a few additional extracts. Sadly, they represent dozens of others in the same vein. (More letters on Neuharth appear in Wednesday's USA Today.) One should keep in mind that Neuharth, besides his professional accomplishments, served his country in World War II as an infantryman in France, Germany and the Phillippines, and won a Bronze Star.
***
George Wyman: “Mr. Neuharth is simply UnAmerican.”
Jeffrey A. Norris: “Cowards and traitors like Al Neuharth want all the comforts they know and enjoy, without a sacrifice to buy it.”
Frank Butash, West Hartford, CT.: “Apparently it's easier to run with jackals than to stand up for your country when it needs support.”
Kenneth Genest: “They had two of these in World War 2. One was called Tokyo Rose and the other Axis Sally. Their job was to discourage the American soldiers. I see they have one now at USA Today.”
Dan Clawson, Fresno,m CA.: "A disgrace to the men and women who serve. USA Today supporting the terrorist cause."
Jerry Martin, San Francisco, CA.: “Yet another self-defeating fool with a large bank account shoots himself in the foot. Their dissent equals treason. The terrorists got him just like all the other rich liberals who side against our victory. They forget that wars end, and then the country takes stock of who was where. I encourage the fool to keep mouthing against our victory over the Muslim jihad, he'll pay the social price in the end.”
T. Conway: “Mr. Neuharth has made a serious business mistake. Watch the circulation drop over the next year. The Los Angeles Times experienced the same drop after they attacked Gov. Schwarzenegger...some never learn. P.S. What side did Mr. Neuharth fight for in WW II?”
Peter Kessler: “And as for the good war, WW II, the lefties were four-square for that one. Yes sir, they were saving the USSR, Stalin and Communism. It's sad we didn't join Hitler until he wiped out the USSR. Alger Hiss and the Uptown Daily Worker (The New York Times) be damned. I see you've joined the club. Well, you're probably a founding member.”
Joe McBride, Fort Dodge, Iowa: “Mr. Neuharth, thanks to you and your ignorance the terrorists are probably booking their flights to the U.S. now! If we pull out of Iraq with the job unfinished the terrorists will be bombing McDonalds, and blowing up malls and schools here, killing our innocent men, women and children.”
Craig Wood, Waianae, Hawaii: “Today's press undermines our troops and supports our enemies. They convince parents that supporting your President is dangerous. They concentrate their ire on any fight that involves the United States and ignore all others. Like the sex scandal in the Congo with United Nations forces…. But, let some Army private put panties on an Iraqi's head and all hell brakes loose.”
Duggan Flanakin, Austin, Texas: “Neuharth should be tried for treason along with a lot of other blowhards who should be spending their energies condemning the barbarism of our enemies, the same people who destroyed the Twin Towers.“
Boots Harvey, Brentwood, CA: “One must recall that Churchill had to put up with the likes of Lord Haw-Haw, William Joyce, and his propaganda during WWII. In the end William Joyce was executed for giving aid and comfort to the enemy during war time. Would that the same fate befall Al Neuharth!”
Mel Gibbs: “The Patriot Act will put both of you (Neuharth and Mitchell) on trial for treason and convict and execute both of you as traitors for running these stories in a time of war and it should be done on TV for other communist traitors like you two to know we mean business. This is war and you should be put in prison NOW for talking like this. Who the hell do you people think you are? You give aid and comfort to our enemies and aid them in murdering our proud soldiers. You people are a disgrace to America. Your families should be put in prison with you, then be made to leave and move to the Middle East ...This is a great Christian nation and god wants us to lead the world out of darkness with great leaders like President George W. Bush and Dick Cheney. Communists like Al and Greg will soon be in prison and on death row for your ugly papers. We won the election and now you are mad. We own America and all the rights, you people are trash, go back to Russia and Africa and take your friends with before we put you on death row after a fair trial.”
***
And then, on the other hand, we have this:
Justin Iovenitti: “We seem to have forgotten the value of discourse. His opinion piece urging the quick return of troops from Iraq is nothing more and nothing less than that: an opinion. There are Americans on both side of this issue, but neither can be disregarded as unpatriotic. The only way we betray our soldiers is through apathy. Unfortunately, we are more apt to hear he who yells loudest over the less audible voice of reason.”
Greg Mitchell (gmitchell@editorandpublisher.com) is the editor of E & P.
Related Articles
'Washington Post' Reconsiders 'Postwar' Label
Dec 5, 2004 – Editor and Publisher
Military Is Afraid to Tell Bush, Cheney the Truth, Says Sy Hersh in 'WP' Online Chat
Nov 4, 2004 – Editor and Publisher
Polls Don't Consider that Saddam's WMD Knowledge Was as Dangerous as Actual Weapons
Oct 26, 2004 – Editor and Publisher
Poll: Most Americans Now Say War Was a Mistake
Dec 30, 2004 – Editor and Publisher
'L.A. Times' Uncovers Another Guard Unit That Went to War Unprepared
Dec 23, 2004 – Editor and Publisher
© Editor & Publisher
No comments:
Post a Comment