Editor,
While reading the letter by Autumn Slayton the other day, I couldn't help but wonder how it is that Americans could possess such little insight and knowledge of the Constitution and American society.
The answer is something that could likely be part of a doctoral thesis. However, I'm convinced it has something to do with American ignorance and selfish lifestyle. The argument that Ms. Slayton has made for the Daily Lobo to participate in censorship is not only weak and illogical but also un-American and this is why:
Ms. Slayton wrote that the Daily Lobo should not print letters that are "anti-American." I wonder what standard would be used to define what is anti-American. I am sure that there is a wide variety of opinions out there on what is anti-American. On top of that, who would have the authority not only to decide what is anti-American but also to take action against those who participate in these actions? With current technology, perhaps we could clone former Sen. Joseph McCarthy and have him head up a committee on anti-American activities.
Many Americans believe that patriotism is simply placing a flag decal on the window of their car. However, to me, patriotism is not a simple act. In fact, not only is it the fire that makes my blood boil when terrorists attack innocent lives, but also when individuals -- American or non-American -- try to take away the very ideals in which our county was founded upon. I love my country because of these ideals: freedom, liberty and justice. True patriotism is when we are willing to fight against those who are trying to take away our freedom.
If we were to censor things that were considered "anti-American," we would lose everything that separates our democracy from Saddam Hussein's dictatorship. In fact, I would argue that the mere act of censorship is itself anti-American. The strength of the United States comes not in the military might, but in the freedom and free-flow of our ideas. Other nations who try to compete with us, who are not democratic, never avail because they are too busy controlling the ideas and lives of their people.
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Ms. Slayton writes, " . . .let us not forget that 'we the people' voted him [President Bush] into office . . ." Where have you been for the last three years? Ever since the 2000 election, I have hoped that the world would have gained more knowledge on how the American political system operates, but I guess my hopes were too high.
Not only is Ms. Slayton wrong because she quoted the Declaration of Independence and not the Constitution, which happen to be two completely different documents, she is also wrong because "We the people . . ." do not directly elect the president ourselves, but rather an Electoral College is responsible for electing our president.
I wish it were the people who elect the president because we would have been a whole lot better off today having Al Gore as commander-in-chief instead of the village idiot.
Paul C. Campbell
UNM student
