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Adversarial whining: A left wing
trait
In her July 2nd letter to the editor
Lynn Emerson-Walsh clearly acted as a spokesman for the group which
she represents making no less than nineteen accusations which malign
our “Support the Troops” group and cast dispersion on the Anacortes
Police department.
I would like to set the record
straight. I hope we can agree that there is a quantum leap between
accusation and guilt. Simply saying something does not make it so.
For clarification, a second face leads to identity crisis and
confusion. Is this the same Ms. Emerson-Walsh who often passes time
in lightheartedly conversation with my wife as she awaits light
changes on the contentious corner of 12th and Commercial
on Sundays?
A correctional note to Ms. Walsh;
the greater portion of the “Support our Troops” musical selections
range from military hymns and parade selections to many accepted
traditional pieces which exalt and honor our country and history.
These are interspersed by other “G” rated country and popular
selections containing a positive and patriotic message.
I would also pose a question to my
liberal friends. At what point did someone wave the magic wand
which transformed our “Support the Troops” group into “War-Mongers”
while simultaneously transforming the “War Protesters” into simple
“Peace Vigilers”, from “Pro-Abortion” to “Pro-Choice” or “God Bless
America” to “God Forgive America” or “God-Damn America?
Regarding a presence in my Website
“Hall of Shame” page, the entrance criterion is posted and quite
specific. The pictures speak for themselves; the captions are
truths, no slander involved. For those seeking clarification the
address is
http://go-patriots.com/Hall_of_Shame.htm .
Ms. Walsh alleges accusations of
personal assault. I suggest that there is a distinction between
adversarial commentary vs. assault. Her referenced sign displays a
message with which we all concur, “Peace is Healthy for Children and
Other Living Things”, We simply added another dimension which
states, and rightly so, that “Peace is bought by Soldiers and Other
Loyal Patriots.” Not so bad when you see it in black and white
rather than in a non-descript accusatory framework, is it?
Having previously addressed the
visitation and motivation of Ms. Walsh’s referenced instructional
guru it needs being said that a single disgruntled, misguided
malcontent does not displace or diminish the countless dozens upon
dozens of veterans and active duty personnel and families who have
stopped and extended their heartfelt thanks for our support and our
presence.
We are finally at the part of Ms.
Walsh’s letter which belabors the left wing text book rant and past
the section which deals with displaying the USA flag upside down. I
will argue that having our nation’s ensign being drug publicly
across posteriors and stepped on, in the dirt, goes a step beyond
the ‘maritime distress signal’ intended for such a display.
Ms. Walsh has painted a bleak
picture of the Anacortes Police department, which demands
clarification. She stated that in previous instances of alleged
altercation her group made statements regarding the incidents and
nothing was done. In those instances opposing and counter
statements were also made and filed. I suspect that the end result
was the weight of all factors adding up to no harm being done to any
person or persons.
The quality and quantity of the
musical selections so fervently endorsed by Ms. Walsh was covered in
a June 18th
letter by a visitor to Anacortes who described accurately and
admonished publicly the vulgar and distasteful content.
I would note that the responding
officer’s repeated reminder to your “children” regarding the
excessive volume level of their high powered amplifier located a
mere few feet from an active summer berry stand somehow does not
seem out of line.
Ms. Walsh expressed bias and
indignation because the police patrols fail to wave or give a
“thumbs-up” to her and her associates as they pass. I would pose the
following question. Precisely, Ms. Walsh, what have you,
individually or collectively, done lately to endear yourself to
those who protect and serve our community? Are you aware that the
son of one of these officers you are so quick to accuse has just
returned from his third voluntary tour in Iraq where he spent the
last fifteen months serving our nation? We have taken the time to
extend congratulations for his service. We salute both the father
and son for their dedication to duty and county and community. As a
group, we have waved to these officers every Sunday for nearly seven
years, a simple gesture and a friendly response. Some we have known
personally for many years longer. When they return a wave or provide
a gesture of approval, they do so as friends. They just happen to be
public officials.
I suggest that the conduct displayed
by your young people, specifically actions like “goose stepping” in
the street with the right arm extended while exhibiting the
country’s flag in a most dishonorable position and manner and
shouting “Sieg Heil” at a passing police car does little to endear
them, yourself or your “Anti-War Protest Group” to the members of
the department you are so quick to accuse and judge.
Perhaps a little less emphasis on
rhetoric and more emphasis on manners during your indoctrination of
these “poster children” would seem more appropriate.
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