War Against Our Rights

Last Wednesday, Thomas Cadmus, National Commander of the American Legion declared war on anti-war protestors at the Legion's national convention in Honolulu. "The American Legion will stand against anyone and any group that would demoralize our troops, or worse, endanger their lives by encouraging terrorists to continue their cowardly attacks against freedom-loving peoples," said Cadmus. The delegates voted to use whatever means necessary to "ensure the united backing of the American people to support our troops and the global war on terrorism."

In his speech, Cadmus declared: "It would be tragic if the freedoms our veterans fought so valiantly to protect would be used against their successors today as they battle terrorists bent on our destruction."

He explained, "No one respects the right to protest more than one who has fought for it, but we hope that Americans will present their views in correspondence to their elected officials rather than by public media events guaranteed to be picked up and used as tools of encouragement by our enemies." This might suggest to some, however, that American freedoms are worth dying for but not exercising.

Mr. Cadmus would do well to remember the words of his predecessor, former American Legion National Commander Harrold L. "Butch" Miller, regarding US intervention in Yugoslavia. In a letter to President Clinton, Miller urged the immediate withdrawal of American troops participating in "Operation Allied Force." He further stated that, "the United States Armed Forces should never be committed to wartime operations unless the following conditions are fulfilled:

  • That there be a clear statement by the President of why it is in our vital national interest to be engaged in hostilities;
  • Guidelines be established for the mission, including a clear exit strategy;
  • That there be support of the mission by the US Congress and the American people; and
  • That it be made clear that US Forces will be commanded only by US officers which we acknowledge are superior military leaders."

Personally, I perceive Mr. Cadmus' declaration of war against anti-war protestors, and the resolution to use whatever means necessary to carry out this war, as a threat to my civil liberties. I am not concerned for my physical safety, even though "whatever means necessary" may be understood by some to include violence. As Benjamin Franklin said, "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."


Posted at Sunday, August 28, 2005
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