To the Visor:

I feel compelled to respond to the column by Andrew Bluebond ["You can't disagree with me unless you listen to my arguments," Aug. 18].

Bluebond, like many Americans today, has a short memory and takes for granted the tremendous blessings and freedoms we enjoy daily. Americans are always looking to tomorrow rather than the great events of the past. This was evident in Bluebond's piece.

Countless members of my family--men and women--marched in the field or manned a battleship under the American flag. Teaching American history, I am constantly reminded of their sacrifices. It is because of thousands of soldiers and sailors from 1753 to the present that we enjoy the numerous blessings of liberty. It shocked me to read such a lack of acknowledgment of this fact. If it were not for these individuals, many of whom gave everything defending these freedoms, Bluebond would not be able to write such inflammatory remarks. Consider the many countries where the press is a puppet of the ruling authority. Not so in our great nation.

The flag Bluebond wrote of is more than a symbol, it is a symbol of what it is to be American. Throughout our history the flag has been a rallying point not only in battle, but also in times of national crisis. This symbol, more than any other, has continuously pulled Americans together. Remember what that symbol did to rally all of us together on Sept. 11, 2001. This memorable event serves as an excellent example of the power of such a symbol. I spend much time teaching the War of 1812 and the bombardment of Ft. McHenry on Sept. 13-14, 1814. Is Bluebond suggesting that that awesome 30 x 42 foot flag was no more than a piece of cloth? An entire region of the country pulled together to see if that symbol would pull through, and through their collective efforts, they did pull together to protect the liberties that they did not take for granted.

One can protest against the government in many ways. However, burning the American flag displays total disrespect toward all it stands for. If someone thinks it is his right to do so, then it is my right to defend that flag and extinguish the flame, and I certainly would.

I would like to pose a challenge to Bluebond. As a high school journalist, you have a great vehicle by which to express your views. The opportunity is there to write on a multitude of topics. Should you write incendiary articles of personal opinion in the school newspaper, articles that greatly offend readers, simply because you can? Where is the line of journalistic responsibility? I hope journalistic integrity alone would raise the bar for future columns. The school paper is an honorable representation of Hoban; I hope it does not become a political sounding board for a select few.

--Jason E. Anderson