Support Senator Russ Feingold--Sealed Lips Sink Democracies

Senator Russ Feingold has recently spoken out to censure our President. This act of individual commitment has stirred the Republican opposition into a near frenzy of vehement attacks on his patriotism. My memory was stirred by some of the insulting words that I have read and heard about Senator Feingold, and the following thoughts emerged.

When I was a child living in Los Angeles during World War II posters warning against loose talk were quite prominent in busy areas of the city. These posters often had the catchy phrase " Loose Lips Sink Ships". This admonition was primarily for military personnel on leave who might say something that could reveal their next mission. The posters were rooted in the genuine belief that useful information might be overheard by the enemy and cause harm. Door County's own American Folklore Theatre created a musical entitled with the phrase that portrayed this period of our history in a rather lighthearted manner. However, the implications for today are not trivial.

During the 1940's, the world was embroiled in a devastating war initiated by Hitler, Mussolini, and Hiro Hito, and we certainly had to be careful about divulging any information that might help the enemy. Today, throughout the world, we have instability caused by acts of war or terrorism against innocent civilians. "Loose Lips" can still cause untoward damage. We would all agree that some information must be secure that that would otherwise aid a potential terrorist.

However, this does not mean that we must abandon our Constitutional right to free speech and obligation to adhere to our laws. Some political leaders seem to think that our constitution and laws are not applicable to them now because we are "at war". They seem to believe that our laws and constitution can be ignored at will to " protect our country". They apply the "Loose Lips Sink Ships" slogan to all criticism and opposition and seem to think that it represents a real danger that is as bad as terrorism itself. They seem to believe that "permanently sealed lips" are preferred and required. "Loose lips" might utter something that should never be heard, and must always be sealed!

Silence seems to be advocated by our President and Vice President. It is also promoted by significant numbers in Congress who seem to believe that our country no longer can accept the tenets of democracy as the basis of government. They believe that sealed lips will preserve democracy. All critical speech is that emanating from " loose lips" in their viewpoint. Their lips are glued shut as they allow our government to move closer to a dictatorship.

Fortunately, there are a few politicians who stand out from the crowd and are willing to stand up for our constitution and laws. Russ Feingold, Senator from Wisconsin, is exemplary in his willingness to protect the sanctity of our Constitution when so many other "defenders of democracy" seem to have forgotten what the word "democracy" means.

Senator Feingold is by far the staunchest torchbearer of democracy amongst our elected political leaders. He consistently fights for the liberties of the people even when many of the people fail to grasp what or why he does. His recent Resolution to Censure President George W. Bush demonstrates the depth of his commitment to our democracy. Facing strong opposition from virtually all Republicans and many Democrats in Congress he, nonetheless spoke out for our collective liberty by calling for censure of a President who admitted that he violated and continues to violate our laws. How any member of Congress can oppose Senator Feingold's resolution is unbelievable. The President, Vice President and all members of the Senate and House of Representatives take an oath to uphold our laws and constitution before they take office. Yet, many of them seem to have contracted amnesia!

Their collective amnesia sends the signal to the American people and the world that our government speaks hollow words when it supposedly claims to promote democracy. If we do not protect democracy in our own country, how can we claim to be saviors of democracy anywhere else? Senator Feingold knows the answer.

He knows that the protection and advocacy of democracy is only possible if you practice what you preach. He knows that if we stand by and allow the destruction of democracy in our country that democracy will fail everywhere. Our country has been the bastion of democracy for over two centuries and Senator Feingold wants to assure that it remains so for future generations. He has the courage to ignore political consequences and support all of our people by carrying the flag of liberty and democracy for all of us. We must shower him with our support.

Speak up for the modern embodiment of Paul Revere, Patrick Henry, and Thomas Jefferson combined into one person-- Senator Russ Feingold. Our support of Senator Russ Feingold from Wisconsin is support for Democracy and our Constitution, and the America so many brave souls have given their lives to protect. Open your lips and tell the world that Senator Russ Feingold represents true democracy!