A Patriot at Gunpoint

My latest Huffington Post, “A Patriot (At Gunpoint)” is here.

Comments, as always, are amusing. Some wish to spit in my face. Some wish to take up arms to defend my right to provoke them to spit in my face by writing about their desire to spit in my face or coerce me with arms. Others wish to take up arms against those who would take up arms to defend their right to spit in my face for not appreciating the sacrifices they would make for me by taking up arms.

This kind of internet hyperbole is a luxury. The people who write about how thankful I should be that someone is taking up arms are not the ones taking up the arms. The father of one of my students leaves tomorrow for his second tour of duty in the Sunni Triangle. His daughter, Amber, is smart, adorable and nine years old. I didn’t ask if he would spit in my face if he knew I didn’t stand for the flag. I didn’t ask if he was taking his gun to Iraq for me, or for his daughter, or just to pay the bills. I hope, for Amber’s sake, that he comes back soon and whole.