Where has Patriotism Gone?

In as much as I despise those who would degrade the honor and respect for the Presidency that we all must hold as citizens of this great country, it is not my goal, in this paper, to capitalize on their incompetence. We as Americans have lost the true meaning and definition of patriotism and I intend to prove this through an example whose words truly made my stomach turn.
In October of 2004 a lady by the name of Cindy Sheehan was interviewed by a liberal reporting agency. It appears that throughout the interview Cindy exploits her son’s death to gain some weight for her cause. This “cause” is no more than an excuse to bash the President and his policies.
Cindy states that, “I think he [the President] rushed into this war -–this invasion –- without having proper intelligence.” It appears to me that Cindy has made an uneducated guess on the decision of President Bush. In order to make a wise decision, one must have all the facts. This is something that Mrs. Sheehan lacks and is evidenced by this statement, ” from his false claims that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction to there being no connection between Iraq and Saddam and Osama bin Laden.” None of these assumptions could be proven correct. Beside the point, what is so inhumane about you that you would just sit by and watch countless people being murdered by their own leader? When it is in your power to make a difference and perhaps change the world and you do nothing, then you have become the thing you had the power to change. A part of you has died and lost that burning passion that should bind you to what is right, noble and honorable. It is very obvious that you have already lost that zeal and desire for your country. Perhaps, Cindy, you never had the privilege of that passion. The passion and love for your country that brings a tear to your eye when the Star Spangled Banner is played, or when you see that American flag waving gently in the breeze over Arlington, and at that moment you realize what it took for our country to remain free. Our fore-fathers paid a great price to give us this freedom that we enjoy and in turn we must pay a price to maintain that freedom. Your son, whom you so carelessly trample under foot and disgrace, paid the ultimate sacrifice. He gave his life for his country! There is no greater love. He also gave his life willingly. He knew he was going to Iraq and he obviously felt it necessary to go and accomplish his mission. He felt that our presence there was important. Perhaps you should look to your son for an example and maybe learn a lesson from his honorable life.

Andrew Short, USAF