Have you noticed the quick up and down swings of patriotism in this country? Right after 9/11, everyone wanted a flag tatooed on their face so everyone else could see how much they love their country. Now schoolchildren in Maine are coming home crying because their teachers bashed the kids' parents for being in the military and shipping out. The most disturbing thing I have read about is a teacher out west somewhere who wore a button to school that said "Not My President, Not My War." I dislike Dubya as much as the next guy, but if you are a citizen of the United States then he is your President and if you don't like it, get the hell out of my fucking country! The implication of the button is her opinion that if she didn't vote for something, then she doesn't have to follow it if it wins. I, on the other hand, do not imply, I state, in no uncertain terms, that if you are a citizen of this country, then you have agreed to follow by the laws and rules of this country or face the consequences. And that includes standing by the decisions of the American people. That is not to say that you cannot protest something you dislike, but George W. Bush is the legally elected President of this country, and I think that anyone who lives here and says he's not THEIR President is spouting traitorous words and ought to move to another country where they can live happily under their president, whomever that may be. The teacher in question, by the way, was not punished, but was told not to wear the button as it goes beyond the bounds of decorum expected of teachers, yet is protected by the First Ammendment. I think she should be punished in a much harsher manner. This button tells the kids in her class more than that they have the right to protest peacefully, but that they have a right to disregard their government. That's not a good lesson for high school kids. As many of you do sometimes, I'm sure, I break the law on occassion, but I am also aware that I am breaking the law, and willing to face the consequences if caught. That teacher has a lot of influence over her students, and should use that influence properly, not subversively.