Larry Ogle’s letter, “Elected Officials Dishonor POWs,” was a wonderful example of the fascism fomenting in this country (characteristic No. 4 – see http://www.veteransforpeace.org/The_14_characteristics_030303.htm). Luckily he’s a conservative and can do no wrong. Typical conservative, he’s found an issue that has no effect on his personal life and elevated it to a national crisis. Perhaps elected officials can show their super-patriotism by wearing a chest-full of awareness ribbons too?

His closing sentence, “These people have no right to hold office or breathe while standing on American soil,” made me think he was calling on all like-minded citizens to light their torches, march on the offenders homes and mete out some conservative vigilante justice.

Had Mr. Ogle directed this veiled threat at the President he’d be visited by the Secret Service and have an FBI record. Nice as it must feel to be a smug, do-no-wrong conservative Republican, I still prefer being a “left-wing traitor” with a conscience.

Walt Mistler

Oak Harbor