Web Opinion by Todd Beezley

A Question of Loyalty

Since September 11^th, American flags and bumper stickers have sprouted faster than April dandelions. But I hope that no one in our listening audience has any desire to uproot this fresh outpouring of welcome patriotic fervor.

The word "patriot" had fallen into disfavor in recent years. One-world loyalists and their willing accomplices in the media had painted anyone willing to wave the red, white and blue as naïve jingoists, at best, and dangerous militia types, at worst.

Those of us who happen to believe that our nation and generations of Americans yet to come are best served by honesty and truth in high places were demonized as threats to the American way of life.

If there’s any silver lining to the tragic events that woke up our nation at 9 a.m. on 9-11, it’s the rebirth of allegiance to the flag…and to the Republic for which it stands. The national anthem, today, is more than just another distraction to be dealt with before kick-off time.

Those "United We Stand," bumper stickers say it all.

The question we must ask ourselves is, "Now that we’re united, for what do we stand?"

I’m hoping those of us who see a chance to improve the fabric of our government and "the system" will not miss this opportunity.

I, for one, am not opposed to government. I oppose bad government. I oppose big government. But if only for the defense of our nation and its people, we see there is a legitimate function that can and should be served by our representative republic. Even our founding fathers recognized that fact.

So, how can those of us who have habitually criticized government abuses seize back the moral high ground and present our case as the "true patriotism?"

I suggest we clarify our motives to our fellow Americans who appear satisfied with the status quo.

Two prime opportunities to start the ball rolling have occurred in the past week.

Private researchers who spent two years analyzing data from the government shootout at Waco, Texas that destroyed the Branch Davidians and killed scores of innocent women and children, have concluded that federal forces did, indeed, open fire on those within the retreat center. This directly conflicts with official conclusions claiming that no federal gunfire was directed at the center during the final assault.  In fact, there is absolutely overwhelming evidence that the FBI went in with guns blazing.

In an unrelated episode, a former high-ranking CIA official was said to have purchased "put calls" on American Airlines and United Airlines stock just days before the 9-11 attack. There are those who believe this circumstantial evidence proves the U.S. intelligence community knew about the pending attack, in advance, and was unable or unwilling to stop it.

Personally, I am willing to entertain both reports as true. But how can we raise these issues as relevant to post-"Twin Towers" America without appearing to be trouble- makers?

First, keep these reports neatly in order at the front of our file folders and pick the proper time to promote them. It’s going to be hard to attract media attention for the follow-up these stories deserve as long as U.S. bombs are raining down in Afghanistan or vials of some biological hazard are feared to be floating around somewhere in America.

Second, convince some concerned Congressman or high-profile spokesman who works within the system to champion the cause. The best way to change the system is to work within it…even if the desired result takes years to achieve.

Third, never give up. Shine enough light on the rats and soon enough they’ll scurry back into the darkness.  I suggest mandatory polygraph tests for all law enforcement officials involved in the Waco siege and assault.  We've spent more than $20 million on the Danforth Report and Ft. Hood infrared recreation and that's money poorly spent unless we take unusual steps to ferret out the truth.

Fourth, don’t be afraid to wrap yourself in the flag. You are working to improve this land and our way of life. Don’t let anyone misrepresent your cause or your case.

Here’s a litmus test to judge true patriotism.

Those who would destroy our Constitution to save our nation are certainly not patriots. Those who would preserve our Constitution to save our nation most certainly are.

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