One of the highlights of my otherwise dull and monotonous week is to see a new Flyer News out on the stands. My favorite part of this publication is the editorial page.

Week after week I read students opinions on certain issues. Sometimes I agree, sometimes I do not, but I have never been prompted to write my own until now.

I enjoy opening up the Flyer News, reading the editorials, and being enlightened every now and then by Mr. Steve Weishampel. While some of his articles are well researched and well written, his politically biased articles are an example of the absolute disdain and contempt he seems to hold for our great country and its citizens. Whether it is an article about why we should be handing out reparations to African Americans or the stupidity of Americans who put 'Support Our Troops' ribbons on their cars, I find myself in complete awe at the nonsense Mr. Weishampel writes.

I cannot address those issues here, because this editorial is restricted to 400-600 words and not 400-600 pages. My point of contention is one line in his March 31 editorial, which reads, 'I don't care to support our troops at all. I just don't think they are as useful as social welfare programs or good public educations.'

While I agree it is okay to be critical of some of the actions the military engages in, whether current or not, you must remember the men and women serving are not making the decisions. They are simply doing what their leadership asks of them.

While military actions are usually undesirable, they are sometimes necessary. World War II is a perfect example. You must support the troops in order for them to be prepared and ready when a conflict like that may arise. While warm and fuzzy social welfare programs may be desirable for some, the military must be prepared in the event anyone threatens the sort of Marxist utopia that you are attempting to create.

I ask of you, Mr. Weishampel, to not look down on our troops, as you look down on our military policy. They must be supported and well funded, so they may be able to protect our way of life and freedom; even if it means defending free speech as foolish as your own. This anti-troop and passive attitude you hold reminds me of an important quote from John Stuart Mill. He wrote, 'War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling, which thinks that nothing is worth war, is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself.'

The military may not be desired, but it is necessary. Support the troops whether you like our government's policies or not. Without the troops, who will be in place to protect us when we need protection? Mr. Weishampel, will you step up?

Erik Elam

Junior

Political Science

Military Science