Of patriots and traitors

This morning I received an email from a friend telling me to take a look at an account of a peaceful war protester who was roughed up at a small Republican fundraiser.

As you'll see in the story, he wasn't roughed up badly - but the entire account is another troubling sign of how the ruling class is turning this country into a land of intolerance, narrow-mindedness and bullying. And this "love it or leave it" attitude jeopardizes the foundation of our country.

With that said, this account doesn't go without its bright spots.

First, the fact that some individuals are still willing to endure personal persecution to voice important opposing views, even at seemingly non-essential local levels, is a refreshing sight.

People who do not seek a national spotlight for themselves and who truly believe they can make a difference just by preaching their heartfelt message - and doing it peacefully without recognition or fame - are the basis for why our democracy has worked for as long as it has.

Civil dissent is a necessity for democracy - unlike what our current administration is trying to make you believe. Dissent does NOT equate to treason or traitorous behavior, it equates instead to the unique freedom to openly debate our course and existence as a country. In other words, dissent equates to being an American. It equates to Patriotism.

The second thing I find heartening in the story is the intelligence, and supportiveness, of the Police officers who were called to the scene. They performed their duties in both a professional and knowledgeable way. Kudos to them. Big Kudos.

So, at the end of the day we get to witness a snapshot of our country in minutiae: patriots, traitors, protectors, defilers, intellects, and idiots.

It just depends on your point of view to determine who is who.