Novelist Barbara Kingsolver in the
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel,
September 27, 2001:
Patriotism threatens free speech with death. It is infuriated by
thoughtful hesitation, constructive criticism of our leaders and pleas
for peace. It despises people of foreign birth. It has specifically
blamed homosexuals, feminists and the American Civil Liberties Union.
In other words, the American flag stands for intimidation, censorship,
violence, bigotry, sexism, homophobia and shoving the Constitution
through a paper shredder. Whom are we calling terrorists here?
†