Now we embarrass our entire nation by telling our troops that they cannot display the American flag, which they are supposedly fighting for and representing even though other nations are proudly displaying their flags.
Those mistakes, along with our massive premature buildup of forces that are just sitting around daring Saddam Hussein to "cross a line" before we do anything makes us look like a superpower that is all bark and no bite.
Our government lost all its self-esteem with the prolonged Iranian hostage crisis. It seems that we never learned how to reclaim it.
We should respect Saudi laws and customs while we are there. But respect is not synonymous with adoption.
By acquiescing to the Saudi demands of conformance to their customs, we show the world that we have no respect for our own citizens or society; we belittle our own people. We are showing the world that the United States is indeed a weak and unproud nation.
Richard Thompson
Mount Laurel
NATIONAL SELF-RESPECT
I write in response to the Dec. 5 article, "Why Old Glory isn't waving in breezes of Saudi Arabia."
If a nation is to be respected by other nations, it first must respect itself. Not flying the U.S. flag and ripping off the flag from uniforms of American soldiers is a complete disrespect toward the principles of this nation.
The fact that we are currently in Saudi Arabia is neither here nor there. If we have to hide the Old Glory in the sand, then perhaps we should not be there.
Bohdan W. Siryj
Cinnaminson
IF ONLY THEY'D TRIED
Regarding your article on removing the American flag shoulder patches and lowering the flag on the pole in Saudi Arabia: I would just like to have heard Gen. George Patton's remark if they had told him he could not show his colors.
William S. Larson
Glassboro
BEYOND DISAPPOINTMENT
I am very upset with the way members of Congress express how disappointed they are over the token amount of troops from our allies. Disappointment is felt when it rains on your picnic.
