HONOR AND DISHONOR

As we write this there are still a few hours to go before President George W. Bush lays the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery. This is a time-honored annual ceremony on Memorial Day. It requires no explanation as to its purpose. It is an annual event, well attended at the Arlington Ampitheater that stands adjacent to the well-worn path trod by the elite guards from Fort Myers.
The speeches, the music and the wreath laying are a way for the nation to pay tribute to all men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of America and the freedoms Americans enjoy.
One of the most valued of freedoms is the freedom of speech.
On the past weekend we came across a replay of Air America's Mike Malloy. Beyond calling President Bush a moron and a nitwit, and beyond calling the Bush family the Bush Crime Family, and beyond cursing and swearing at just about everything we are about in the War on Terror, Malloy went a step further. He called our troops at Guantanamo Bay torturers. He called our military a bunch of murdering bastards. These were his words and we call him to account for them here.
On this Memorial Day we ask each reader, do you agree with Malloy?
If you do agree, you should consider that in a number of countries on earth today you would be put in prison or perhaps even executed for speaking as does Mike Malloy.
You should also consider that those we honor in a special way on this day gave their lives so you can voice your hatred of our country and our present day defenders of freedom. The troops you so despise stand so far above you that no amount of your hateful speech and anti-American rhetoric will be heard above the music, words and prayers today at Arlington. And no amount of your hateful rhetoric will diminish the respect we owe to America's defenders, living and dead.