It has been two weeks since Sept. 11, but no one has forgotten the terrible images. The country is slowly attempting to return to the way things were before the largest terrorist attack in U.S. history.

President George W. Bush seems to be at the height of his presidency. He is speaking better than he has ever spoken before. The public is listening to every speech and watching his every move.

We wait for this war to begin.

And while we wait, everyone is trying to be sensitive during this challenging time.

But are we being so sensitive that we don’t want to hear anti-war views?

Somehow, after two planes flew into the World Trade Center, people have been hesitant to question the government or the president.

And it’s happening in all segments of society.

First let’s look at the wonderful world of politics.

The House of Representatives passed the use-of-force resolution with a vote of 420-1. Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., voted against the resolution because she thought Congress needed to keep a check on Bush’s military power. (Isn’t that Congress’s job?)

“I am convinced that military action will not prevent further acts of international terrorism against the United States,” she said in a statement. “Finally, we must be careful not to embark on an open-ended war with neither an exit strategy nor a focused target.”

Now she is being openly criticized for her opinion and has been called un-American and a communist.

All because she wanted the country to use a little restraint.

On the entertainment side of things, “Politically Incorrect” host Bill Maher is also being criticized for his opinion.

In one show, he said past U.S. military actions were “cowardly.” Later he clarified his comments saying it was aimed at political leaders, not actual military personnel.

But Maher has defended his right to criticize the government, even during this emotional time despite the fact that two sponsors, FedEx and Sears, are no longer advertising during the show’s time slot.

In the same show where Maher uttered his now-politically-incorrect opinion (something that he is paid to do), a chair was left empty in honor of a frequent guest who was on the hijacked airplane that flew into the Pentagon.

ABC is correct in its decision to support the show and defend Maher. Network officials have said the show needs to continue to be a “forum for the expression of our nation’s diverse opinion.”

These kinds of forums for debate are what is needed during these times, not a country brainwashed into believing war is the only way.

Even the Daily’s columnists and editorial board have been criticized for questioning the effectiveness of this impending war.

In one letter to the editor from an ISU alumnus, he wrote “To the Daily’s editorial writers, your touchy-feely editorial belongs in a trash bin (`Open Forum Beneficial’).

I do not recall reading about `forums’ after the Pearl Harbor attack. FDR gave a moving address to the nation, Winston Churchill rallied Great Britain after his touchy-feely predecessor and `allies’ didn’t have the courage to stand up to Hitler.”

He wrote that our country is at war, whether we like it or not.

Okay, so America is at war. It is starting a war on terrorism. I don’t agree with the war, but I understand that it is going to happen.

So then what’s so wrong with an open forum to discuss different ways of reacting to this war?

Open forums allow people to share their opinions.

Both sides are able to express their feelings.

Those who feel that war is the answer are able to tell their side. They have a right to that. But each person also has the right to disagree and question the other person’s opinion.

It doesn’t make you un-American to question the war. It’s your right as an American to question the war.

All the public seems to talk about is how this war will unite America. We are returning to a sense of patriotism that hasn’t been seen since World War II.

Is that a good thing?

Is it OK to have an entire country return to a state of mind where you don’t question the government?

Everyone has a right to an opinion. And that shouldn’t end just because a war starts.

Michelle Kann is senior in journalism and mass communication from Garnavillo. She is the newsroom managing editor of the Daily.