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The following is a letter to the editor of the Champaign-Uraban (IL) News-Gazette that I just sent.

First, the article that inspired me: http://www.newsgazette.com/story.cfm?Number=12944

My letter:

I am Airman 1st Class Bryan Stevens, assigned to the 52nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 81st Aircraft Maintenance Unit, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. While recently back in Champaign on leave, I noticed a protest on N. Prospect Ave., and just this evening read the electronic version of an article discussing plans for a rush hour protest in the event of military action against Iraq. In response, I would first like to say, "You're welcome," to all of the anti-war
activists in C-U. Despite the fact that I disagree with your positions, feel that you are, as a whole, misinformed, and are acting solely on emotion, I still choose to uphold your Constitutional and God given rights to publicly demonstrate. As a member of the United States Air Force, I have willingly chosen and taken an oath to uphold the rights of all American citizens, as well as follow the orders of the President of the United States and the officers appointed above me. In the event of orders to participate in any offensive or defensive actions against Iraq, I will willingly fulfill my duty to my country, despite the label I may be given by such protesters. I would like to say, though, that without men and women such as myself, and the millions that served before me, you could be living in a regime where being so outspoken against your government could result in imprisonment and such heinous punishments as the removal of your tongues, such as the Iraqi government pursues. Without your Constitutional freedoms, you could be viewed as treasonous individuals, or insurrectionists, yet the actions you speak out against are the very actions that keep you free. So, in closing, I believe it is appropriate to quote George Orwell: "We sleep safely in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would harm us."

Sincerely,
A1C Bryan Stevens


"Work Hard, Party Hard, Hardly Sleep"

OUTSTANDING!!!!!!!!!!



Trample the wounded- hurdle the dead.

Excellent

You burn 'em, we'll turn 'em

Bravo!! give 'em hell!

A Proud Ambulance Rider! EMS

I'd say you spoke for all of us here, Raven. Thanks.

King George II on Gen. James Wolfe: "Mad, is he? Then I wish he'd bite more of my other generals!"

_________________
\"Those who hammer their guns into plows
will plow for those who do not.\"
- Thomas Jefferson

Nicely said Raven... on behalf of some of my female friends in the military and myself... Thanks for the words... very well written, and to the heart of the matter...

Tigress

'to thine own self, be true' W. Shakespeare

Ohhhhhhhh.........

I like that nickname.

Trample the wounded- hurdle the dead.

Very well spoken!!!

Welcome abord Tigress. Grab a seat on the front porch couch.

The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his. -General George Patton

I just got word that my letter was published, in a slightly abbreviated form, in the Sunday edition of the News-Gazette. I wil hopefully have it scanned soon...

I was kind of hoping they wouldn't publish it, so I would have a reason to send them more letters..but ohh well.

Thanks for the response everyone..

--Raven

"Work Hard, Party Hard, Hardly Sleep"

Good job Raven.

Trample the wounded- hurdle the dead.

Says something good about the News-Gazette, too!<img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>

King George II on Gen. James Wolfe: "Mad, is he? Then I wish he'd bite more of my other generals!"

_________________
\"Those who hammer their guns into plows
will plow for those who do not.\"
- Thomas Jefferson

I took a trip up to washington yestday and there was "the women's peace movement" two old ladies one of their husbans (I hope) all dressed in neon pink! they we handing out papers and playing a drum. they looked like pink gespies. we almost started chanting "nuke baggdad." looking back we should have.

A Proud Ambulance Rider! EMS

RAVEN ,YOU SWORD WAVING,BABY KILLER,RIGHT WING HAWK!!!!!!!!!

LOVE YOU MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WE RAN INTO ANOTHER ONE WHEN WE WENT THRU TO THE V.A. IN DANVILLE,CJ JUST GAVE THEM THE THE MR.BEAN WAVE!!!!!!!!!!!!<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

FOR WHAT SOME OF YOUR PEERS MIGHT CALL A NEWBEE,YOUR 100% VET TO ME AND WITH WRITING LIKE THAT YOU EARNED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PRESS TO TEST

_________________
\"Live Free Or Die\"