The sound you hear out there is the song of nationalism. Sometimes it’s a healthy anthem. Sometimes it’s a horrific noise.
Part of America’s greatness is the way we argue about policy when things really matter, when we join our debates in the open air of freedom. How many members of Congress are reading the laws they are passing in the extreme heat of these moments?
In coming weeks and months you will hear that anyone who doesn’t muzzle his or her opinions, should they be contrary to national policy, is unpatriotic. In truth, what’s un-American is the notion that dissent is tantamount to treason.
I recommend that you check out a new posting from Electronic Privacy Information Center, quoting members of Congress from across the political spectrum who have “expressed their support for preserving America’s
freedoms, for safeguarding America’s ideals.” Read their comments.
Even if you disagree with what the Bush administration is doing, the president is a patriot. Attorney General John Ashcroft, who wants to dramatically expand surveillance, detain immigrants indefinitely and otherwise use every ounce of power at his disposal to find the murderers and prevent new atrocities, is a patriot.
So are the members of Congress — from the left and right — who want to protect liberty. And so are the people at the American Civil Liberties Union, even if you disagree with their views during this time of crisis.
The murderers of Sept. 11 should not mistake debate, or even dissent, for a lack of overall resolve. The people who committed these crimes are loathed beyond description in America and throughout most of the world.
We can and should re-examine our international policies. But support will never decline for bringing the murderers to justice, or for preventing more of the same. Never.
Our own leaders should be thankful that patriotism is not blind. It is open-eyed in an open society. That is the right way, the American way.