With all due respect to Ms. Kayla Down, who suggested that protesting and patriotism don’t mix, it is a mockery to our great country to ask that we stop demonstrating. So, you are “sick of everyone protesting the war?” I’m sure a lot of people were “sick” of Susan B. Anthony protesting the inequity of women. Many were “sick” of Martin Luther King Jr. marching to end social injustice. Most of all though, I bet most Iraqis are “sick” of watching their neighbors, sisters, mothers and fathers being killed.

Our Founding Fathers were men who were brave enough to dissent against a monarchy so we could have this very freedom you mock.

You said, “As U.S. citizens, our position to change the current events is limited.” My friend, have you forgotten that this is a country of the people, by the people, for the people?

When our government kills tens of thousands of innocent civilians, accidental as it may be, that blood is on our hands. When our intelligence services torture people and deny them counsel, that injustice is done in our name.

The beauty of America has nothing to do with lying and misleading, it has nothing to do with torture or abuse, it has nothing to do with taking innocent lives.

The people of America won’t be silenced; we love this country too much for that to happen.

Sasha Kemmet

Sophomore

Electrical Engineering