The Great American Bitch Rant


Articles Dante Alighieri Arthur Dent Jesus Jones Thomas Paine Other Authors Contact Us! Letter to the Editor Dante Alighieri Arthur Dent Jesus Jones Thomas Paine	The Great American Bitch Rant Ninotchka I was originally asked by an affiliate of this paper to do an article on false patriotism in America since September 11th. Over the past year, I have been highly vocal about my opinions on the subject, so it's easy to assume that I would want to write an article based on those opinions. I jumped at the chance in a self-righteous moment which caused me to daydream about the possibility that one of my articles would someday be shredded. However, my attempts to write said article were highly unsuccessful. I froze up, unable to articulate my thoughts in a way that would inspire my fellow students. As the days clicked by, my writer's block increased. I would hunch over crumpled pieces of binder paper in math class, scribbling down semi-witty phrases as visions of a shadowy mega-editor loomed over my thoughts. But that's just the thing: to me, the writers of the paper were shadowy. Communication with the staff was brief and roundabout. I still have no idea who is calling on me to write the article which you are now reading. On top of that, the entire school seems to be taking bets on who has written what. The writers, to their credit, hold their ground in concealing their identities. But it begs the question: what is everyone so afraid of? As Americans, we've had to deal with a lot of fear lately. Terrorism, Iraq, the lingering threat of biological warfare…we are living in difficult times. Our country is angry. It's looking to pick a fight. But by blindly backing a war effort, are we really doing our best as Americans? What do I mean by that? Since the horrific events of 9/11/01, the country has been all too eager to rally in support of George W. Bush, a man who thinks that "embetterment" is a real word. Sure, he did a fairly good job of handling the 9/11 crisis, but it's been over a year. A lot can happen in a year, including a drop in the economy and numerous other problems to which Bush should be paying attention. But for some reason, he's dead-set on a war with Iraq. Now, I won't go too far into the debate of whether or not we should go to war. However, I will say that everyone in this country has a right to his/her opinion, and slamming those who disagree with you is never the right way to settle an argument. America is great because it gives so much freedom to its dissenters, and neither your principal nor your President has the right to take that away. Many anti-war groups have been labeled as unpatriotic by others. This accusation is ridiculous and inaccurate. Patriotism has nothing to do with whether you agree with the President or even the majority vote. To be patriotic is to love your country for what it is and what it can become. In fact, the mere act of questioning is what this country is based upon. Disagreeing with your government does not mean that you love your country any less. Likewise, disagreeing with your school's administration does not mean that you love that school any less. So rest assured: you don't have to hang that American flag in your yard just because all of your neighbors do. You don't have to be suspicious of every Middle Eastern person attending flight school. Hell, you can even giggle if ol' Dubya brings back the word "normalcy." You're still just as patriotic as the rest of us. And you can feel free to express your opinions, either in publication like this or in your everyday life. You can hold heated debates in history class. You can read a poem at the next slam. You won't be any less of a student, and with time those opinions will become easier to express. Just keep this in mind: if we can't draw funny pictures of Kazakoff shredding things, then the terrorists really have won…	Archive Back Issues Why? Cartoons Poetry Random Rants Disclaimers Losers and Kudos of the Week Letters to the Editor Editor's Notes Picture of the Week
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Ninotchka

I was originally asked by an affiliate of this paper to do an article on false patriotism in America since September 11th. Over the past year, I have been highly vocal about my opinions on the subject, so it's easy to assume that I would want to write an article based on those opinions. I jumped at the chance in a self-righteous moment which caused me to daydream about the possibility that one of my articles would someday be shredded.

However, my attempts to write said article were highly unsuccessful. I froze up, unable to articulate my thoughts in a way that would inspire my fellow students. As the days clicked by, my writer's block increased. I would hunch over crumpled pieces of binder paper in math class, scribbling down semi-witty phrases as visions of a shadowy mega-editor loomed over my thoughts.

But that's just the thing: to me, the writers of the paper were shadowy. Communication with the staff was brief and roundabout. I still have no idea who is calling on me to write the article which you are now reading. On top of that, the entire school seems to be taking bets on who has written what. The writers, to their credit, hold their ground in concealing their identities. But it begs the question: what is everyone so afraid of?

As Americans, we've had to deal with a lot of fear lately. Terrorism, Iraq, the lingering threat of biological warfare…we are living in difficult times. Our country is angry. It's looking to pick a fight. But by blindly backing a war effort, are we really doing our best as Americans?

What do I mean by that? Since the horrific events of 9/11/01, the country has been all too eager to rally in support of George W. Bush, a man who thinks that "embetterment" is a real word. Sure, he did a fairly good job of handling the 9/11 crisis, but it's been over a year. A lot can happen in a year, including a drop in the economy and numerous other problems to which Bush should be paying attention. But for some reason, he's dead-set on a war with Iraq.

Now, I won't go too far into the debate of whether or not we should go to war. However, I will say that everyone in this country has a right to his/her opinion, and slamming those who disagree with you is never the right way to settle an argument. America is great because it gives so much freedom to its dissenters, and neither your principal nor your President has the right to take that away.

Many anti-war groups have been labeled as unpatriotic by others. This accusation is ridiculous and inaccurate. Patriotism has nothing to do with whether you agree with the President or even the majority vote. To be patriotic is to love your country for what it is and what it can become. In fact, the mere act of questioning is what this country is based upon. Disagreeing with your government does not mean that you love your country any less. Likewise, disagreeing with your school's administration does not mean that you love that school any less.

So rest assured: you don't have to hang that American flag in your yard just because all of your neighbors do. You don't have to be suspicious of every Middle Eastern person attending flight school. Hell, you can even giggle if ol' Dubya brings back the word "normalcy." You're still just as patriotic as the rest of us.

And you can feel free to express your opinions, either in publication like this or in your everyday life. You can hold heated debates in history class. You can read a poem at the next slam. You won't be any less of a student, and with time those opinions will become easier to express. Just keep this in mind: if we can't draw funny pictures of Kazakoff shredding things, then the terrorists really have won…