I write as an alumnus who is deeply angered by the hypocrisy of current U.S. foreign policy. But rather than reiterating the anti-war position, I'd like to comment on the experiences I've had talking to many counter-protesters at the peace demonstrations I've attended daily since the war began.

Every day I've been accused of being unpatriotic. (And stupid. Despite having a Bates degree, and advanced degrees, yesterday a gentleman with a mullet haircut walked up to me at a peace rally and said, "You're really stupid.").

Apparently, much of the "support our troops" contingent equates "patriotism" with "military service." Certainly, military service is one way to show patriotism, as all three of these letters from Bates alums demonstrate.

But, I'm unwilling to give ground that military service is more germane to the health of our society than the 50 percent of my income I donated to non-profit organizations last year, or the 1,100 hours of volunteer time my wife and I contributed. Or the work of educators. Or health industry workers. Much of this kind of work requires that we create new communities and structures "from scratch." Excuse me if joining the military, which requires very little imagination (and for which you get paid), does NOT seem superior to the sorts of patriotism I witness day in and day out among my volunteer friends.

Do we now live in a country where the only valued patriotic contribution is putting yourself in harm's way (or, more precisely, based on the people who have confronted me at demonstrations and dinner parties, knowing someone who might be in harm's way)?

We don’t - even if that's the simplest rhetoric. Cheer for the war heroes if you want - but they aren't the best, nor only, nor largest, class.

David Foster
Class of ’77
dfoster@ioma.com