By Brian Yates

What is it about these anti-American liberals? At the University of California at Berkeley (big surprise there), student leaders have decided that, during their 9/11 services, there will be no patriotic symbols. They will distribute white ribbons rather than red, white and blue. They will not allow the “Star Spangled Banner”, “God Bless America”, or the American flag. Apparently, these are all exclusionary and could possibly offend some students.

Hazel Wong, chief organizer for the Associated Students of the University of California (ASUC), said, “We didn’t want anything too centered on nationalism – anything that is ‘Go U.S.A.'” Well of course we wouldn’t want that – the fact that we were the ones attacked notwithstanding.

Wong explained that singing the national anthem and displaying the red, white, and blue would be inappropriate because they “don’t want politics disrupting mourning and grieving.” Folks, our flag, our colors, and our anthem are not political – they are symbols of America.

Jessica Quindel, president of the Graduate Assembly, an integral part of planning the events, finally gives us the real story behind their motives. She asserts that the day is not only about September 11th, but that it’s about President Bush’s response to the attacks. You see, to liberals, this day is not a memorial to the victims of these terrible attacks; this is a day to protest against the government.

Quindel said, “We are trying to stay away from supporting Bush. We don’t want to isolate people on this campus who disagree with the reaction of Sept. 11.” They don’t want to isolate people? Ladies and gentlemen, we were attacked here. We are the victims. But liberals don’t care about that.

These anti-American peacenik liberals could care less that 3,000 people died because of Arab terrorists; they’re mad because we fought back! How dare we fight back?

Quindel is a self-avowed hater of the American flag, the federal government, and the “Star Spangled Banner.” Yet, she still claims to be patriotic. “It depends on your definition of patriotism. Everyone has a different definition.” Quindel is as much a patriot as Yasser Arafat. You can’t hate America and, at the same time, be a patriot. It’s not possible. And isn’t it funny how liberals love to redefine things. It all depends on your definition of patriotism… it all depends on how you define a lie… blah blah blah. These people are ridiculous.

“God Bless America” is not being allowed because it is “exclusionary.” It mentions God, and singing it could “exclude and offend people.” No patriotic songs will be sung.

To prevent the exclusion of those who don’t believe in the American flag, there will be no tribute. Quindel explained this by saying, “The flag has become a symbol of U.S. aggression towards other countries. It seems hostile.” I’ll tell you what seems hostile: the fact that the United States of America was the victim of a terrible terrorist attack. The fact that thousands upon thousands of Americans were killed. And the fact that some wackos would dare to suggest that we are wrong to strike back.

This ridiculous decision by student leaders planning the event was finally overruled by UC Berkeley Chancellor Robert Berdahl. Berdahl informed the ASUC that red, white, and blue ribbons would be distributed and that the flag would be displayed. In a badly needed ‘in-your-face’, Berdahl said that “Jessica [Quindel] does not speak for the university. I speak for the university.” It’s about time.

Predictably, this decision set off the elitist liberal establishment. “There were people in the World Trade Center who were not American and people who were not American who died in the aftermath of Sept. 11,” said Quindel. And Cal-SERVE Senator Gustavo Mata: “Having the flag there takes away the importance of the day for people who do not agree with the terrorist attacks but are not American.” Well, who cares? America was attacked. And it is our duty to strike back.