Editor,
During the past few days, this country has seen some of the most unimaginable atrocities in recent history.
From the horror of the attacks on two of our emblems of international prowess has risen a sense of national pride and patriotism that cannot be matched since the attack on Pearl Harbor, that marked the official entrance of the United States into World War II.
I am happy to say this feeling of patriotism has not passed by the UNM campus. However, I am somewhat distressed with some of the darker effects of this newfound patriotism and need to increase "security" in this country.
The talk of the coming war on terrorism and comments of the possible invasion of the poor and desolate country of Afghanistan have dominated the airwaves and presses. Upon reflection, I find that the problem with waging war on terrorists is that they blend in perfectly with the demographics of the citizens of the United States.
Terrorists are invisible in this country; they are not restricted to just one religion, ethnic group or country. The tens of thousands of terrorist organizations that are around the world including some home bred terrorists such as the Unibomber, or Timothy McVeigh.
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Will the United States government be waging war on those groups and individuals as well?
The terrorists attacked our buildings and families but they did not attack the charter of this country. The current administration and the public are doing a good job on their own. The Office of Homeland Security, which is suppose to help coordinate the "entire resources of the United States to fight the war on terrorism," threatens to strip us, the American people, of our civil rights that are protected in the Constitution.
A good example of this is the talk for the dismissal of Professor Berthold for his shameful statements. The Constitution does not only protect us from the government but from tyranny of every type be that secular, religious or anything that may be used to restrict any individual's freedom of thought or beliefs.
Unfortunately, this guarantee allows many insensitive, controversial and hateful things to be said by anyone within the borders of this great and all-inclusive society. The greatness of the United States lies not in our military superiority or our economic splendor. The greatness stems from protection of the views and opinions of its citizens and guests.
It is this greatness that attracts so many, including myself, to these shining shores.
Jason Chang
UNM political science
undergraduate
