Presidential Candidate John Kerry recently displayed courage in calling for a regime change in Washington DC. Senator Kerry, a Democrat, was campaigning for President and commented about his displeasure with President Bush’s handling of the war in Iraq. Kerry was concerned about the damage the war was doing to our relations with some of our closest allies. Kerry stated that it was his belief that only a new President could repair the damage. In making his comments, Kerry said, “What we need now is not just a regime change in Saddam Hussein and Iraq, but we need a regime change in the United States."

Immediately following these remarks, Republican leaders Dennis Hastert, Tom Delay, and Marc Racicot suggested that Senator Kerry was un-American for making these comments in a time of war. These Republicans claim Kerry’s comments show that he does not support our troops. Tom Delay called the comments “desperate and inappropriate.” Delay further denounced Kerry’s statement by saying, “America before New Hampshire.” Racicot stated Kerry “crossed a grave line” in calling for the replacement of a President in a time of war.

Since when did we stop exercising our right of free speech in time of war. Moreover, nothing in Kerry’s speech showed a lack of support for our troops. Kerry, in all actuality, should be commended for making his comments; comments that go to the heart of the problems facing us with this war.

Had Kerry made any statement regarding our troops, or any comment undermining their role in Iraq, he certainly would have crossed the line. What Kerry did is what Republicans do not want any of us to do, question the President, his actions, and the errors he is making as President.

We live in society where we can exercise the right of free speech. Delay and Racicot seem to want us to put our right of free speech in a “lock box” during this war. Republicans want us to blindly follow this President, and keep any questions we have about his conduct “locked away.” During this time of war, these Republican leaders are suggesting that our right of free speech is suspended. Delay and Racicot want to put free speech on hold requiring us to blindly follow our leaders. Anyone opening the lock box to express themselves during this “time of war” is “unpatriotic and un American” according to Delay and Racicot.

Senator Kerry displayed courage in making his comments. Whether he is right or wrong is not the point, Kerry exercised his right of free speech. As a decorated war veteran, Kerry is more than qualified to discuss issues of war. He is more than qualified to raise questions about the President’s actions in taking us to war.

Now, more than ever, all of us need to keep in mind that we have a right to speak out for, or against, this President. It is our duty to speak out when we can. Delay and Racicot are simply wrong — we cannot blindly allow any leader to take any action he or she desires under the guise of war.

Kerry’s statements were neither unpatriotic nor “desperate and inappropriate.” Kerry’s criticism brought to light the damage we are suffering from being at war. His comments were aimed at questioning how the President’s actions are damaging this country’s image in the world community. Kerry, as an American, displayed courage in exercising his right to free speech. Americans should applaud his actions, actions demonstrating that we live in a free society, allowing us to have a free exchange of ideas.

John Kerry definitely supports our troops. As a decorated Vietnam Veteran, he has served our country by going to war. There is no basis to believe that he does not support our country or our troops. By making these statements, Mr. Kerry has shown that he has more courage than either Delay or Racicot.

During this time, we cannot put our right to free speech in “a lock box.” To do so undermines the very document that gives us this right, the Constitution.

John Kerry must continue to speak out; it is his right under the Constitution of the United States.

Stuart James
Sjames139@comcast.net