Th e Oberlin Herald — Opinion Page 129th Year, Number 47 Wednesday, November 21, 2007 Mean people’s rights are as important as any It’s hard to love the Rev. Fred Phelps and rights away, especially since they have been his offspring. attacking war-battered families in their time They’re all nuts, and not in an amusing or of grief. entertaining kind of way. Maybe the most effective response, though, The Phelps family and a few followers hang has come from an offshoot, out at the in Topeka, the Patriot Guards, a group of motorcycle rid- where they foment hatred, especially hatred ers who station themselves between Phelps’ of homosexuals. rabble and the mourners at a funeral. The God hates homosexuals, the Phelpses say. wackos get their say but the family is spared They claim he’s punishing America for har- most of the indignity. boring them by killing our soldiers in . Is there something wrong with Americans The family and the church have a long his- that we allow this kind of behavior? Or some- Why won’t they let me shop? tory of spreading this venom. They’ve staged thing right? How can we let a small groups of What does almost every woman rallies, marches, parades and demonstrations. hatemongers spread venom at the funeral of and most men want to do when they’re in a foreign country? They used to show up every day outside the a fallen soldier? Shop, of course. home of the publisher of the Topeka Capital- But if our troops fight to defend our free- Yeah I know, you said visit the Open Season Journal and once picketed a Press doms, as we often say, doesn’t that include historic sites, go to museums and Association convention. the freedom of people like Fred Phelps to be sample the local cuisine. By Cynthia Haynes The press, they claim, pushes the homo- nuts? Well, that’s all true, but you’d [email protected] better get some shopping in so that sexual agenda. And since God hates “fags,” Even the American Civil Liberties Union, you’ll have something to take back He must hate the press, too. often criticized for backing whatever liberal to your husband, wife, parents, floors. got the Viet Cong slouch hat. I gave The attacks get personal. It’s hard to take. cause comes down the pike, has defended Mr. children, grandchildren, brothers, I flew through that place, grab- my sister the other slouch hat and No one likes dealing with Fred Phelps, but half Phelps and his decidedly unliberal behavior sisters, boss, employees, neighbors bing chopsticks, refrigerator mag- her husband, a Vietnam vet, the his family seems to be (Fred himself in the name of free speech. and nonsignificant others. A bauble nets, small bags, letter openers, tea other officer’s hat. He planned to or two for yourself is also a good and a dozen other small items for wear it to work. I just hope he isn’t is a disbarred , and at least two of his That’s the danger — and the genius — of idea. gifts for the staff. I spent about $100 wearing it to the American Legion daughters have law licenses) and they sue over our strong system of human rights. It includes So why did I find it so difficult to in 30 minutes. In the same amount next week. any attempt to block them. the freedom to be obnoxious, the freedom to do any fun shopping on our recent of time, Steve was able to buy a nice In Hanoi, the guide was the worst Then a couple of years ago, this kooky clan be wrong. excursion to Taiwan and Vietnam? bracelet for our youngest daughter. about allowing us any time to shop. got the idea that God was punishing the U.S. But without the First Amendment guaran- The answer is simple — tour In Saigon, our guide was more He was shouting, “No shopping, no guides. I actually had one shout, understanding. In fact, he was the shopping,” while I bought a conical by killing our soldiers. They began picketing tees of free speech and religion, our country “No shopping, no shopping,” at us best guide we had the whole trip. He straw hat like the peasants wear. It at the funerals of men and women killed in would be far less than it is. in Hanoi. I think he was working on had the bus driver stop at a rubber cost me a whopping 10,000 dong combat. It’s because our founding fathers had the commission and we were buying plantation where a gang of children — about 60 cents. I doubt if there’s That’s nice, isn’t it? foresight to protect our rights that we have from street vendors, and there’s no selling $1 rubber-tree-seed neck- much kickback on that purchase. Your son or daughter is killed in action in the liberty we so cherish — that our troops kickbacks there. laces hit us up. We all got back on We did score about 20 beaded We started off in Taiwan and the the bus with at least one. handbags off a little girl on a mo- some God-forsaken foreign land, and a bunch defend — today. government-sponsored guide kept He also took us to a square near torbike. She was persistent and of nutty demonstrators show up outside the The freedom to say unpopular things is part us so busy we didn’t have a chance the old cathedral and post office. followed us all over town. funeral. It’s hard to take. Disgusting. of that. to buy anything that wasn’t in an There, we had about an hour to walk Depending on when we bought And despite some attempts to curb the If liberty means putting up with Fred Phelps approved shop. around and enjoy the buildings and them, the fancy bag with long bead- practice, it’s perfectly legal. The church has a and his tribe, so be it. The Republic will sur- Well, I did get a $3 pair of de- buy all the junk we wanted from the ed handles sold three or four for $20. signer sunglasses from a vendor peddlers. I stocked up on post cards I’m not the world’s best bargainer, religious and political voice, both protected by vive, as it always has, and we’re a better coun- as I boarded the bus the first day in and postage stamp books. so I ended up with three, which was the First Amendment to our Constitution. try because we allow everyone — even the Saigon. After that, the guide kept He hurried us though the Cu Chi about three more than I needed. Many would gladly take the Phelpses’ nuts — to speak their piece. — Steve Haynes an eye on me. I was obviously a tunnels, an infamous Viet Cong However, since I bought them out troublemaker. stronghold outside town, but I was of the window of a moving bus, I We finally got our chance to buy able to pick up a few gems. There think that counts as a “shopping some trinkets the last day of the aren’t a lot of people in town with experience.” Sing out for former prisoner trip. Viet Cong headgear, including a That little girl was good. Our guide took us to a govern- Communist officer’s hat. I bought After all that, about the only thing Hallelujah! Amen! Preach on, ment-sponsored art market and two of each. I had money for in Hong Kong was brother! gave us 30 minutes to shop its three Steve got the officer’s hat and I a new suitcase — a big one. Sunday, we had the thrill of a lifetime when we, along with good friends Bob and Ila, Dewayne and Aurelia and Destry and Marisa, got Out Back to worship with a congregation in By Carolyn Sue Kelley-Plotts Vietnamese see it differently Wichita. [email protected] A young man, Andrew, who had Surreal. attended our chapel services while We looked at each other, the sales- he was at the Norton Correctional chance to sing with him “on the Jody’s company. Her daughter lives man from Tennessee and myself, Facility, called to let us know he outside” was irresistible. in Wichita and Jody went along for as we walked through the jungle Along the Sappa was off parole. The predominantly black congre- the ride. outside Saigon. His first question to us was, gation he is part of was established You know how good conversa- We had just toured the tourist “Could you come and sing with me as an outreach to people who have tion makes the time go faster? Well, attraction built around the old Cu By Steve Haynes at my church?” been in prison. Jody and I talked about 90 miles an Chi tunnels, a Viet Cong stronghold [email protected] With a little juggling of our It is a perfect tie-in with our hour and the road just flew by. north of Saigon. Today, it’s been weekend schedule the answer was, outreach to the families of men in We’re tired, but it’s a “good” rebuilt with representative bunkers “Yes.” prison. tired. showing how the sturdy commu- in 1975 marked the end of nearly a throwing the bodies in trucks,” she A couple of phone calls later, The congregation was kind Now, the trick is to get Andrew up nist soldiers lived underground century of war and occupation for said. Bob and Ila were on board and so enough to give me a few minutes to here so everyone else can hear him. while the Americans ravaged the Vietnam, including domination by Chaotic film of the last helicopter were Dewayne and Aurelia. Both tell them about the Haven, the house The invitation has been extended surface. the French and the even more cruel leaving the U.S. embassy burns in couples have children in the area in Norton we operate to accommo- and he has agreed. At one point, a guide shows you Japanese. our minds. and didn’t need much of an excuse date families of inmates who come How about I let you know when how a “liberation fighter” could If anyone today questions why But today, our guide points out, to go visiting. to visit for the weekend. he’s coming? You have to hear him just disappear under a camouflaged the U.S. didn’t “win” this war on the more than 60 percent of the popu- Andrew has one of the most We were made to feel welcome sing. trapdoor. Several of us, including battlefield, they need only to know lation in Vietnam was born after amazing voices I have ever heard. and given time to sing three songs. publisher Charley one statistic: While American battle the war. His range is beyond tenor and his Andrew joined us, hitting the high Najacht, a retired National Guard losses are listed at 58,000 killed in They have no memory of the voice is crystal clear. I don’t know notes like I knew he could. A lady colonel who was a platoon leader in action, the Vietnamese count theirs conflict with the Americans and the much about music, but I can tell he from the congregation jumped in From the Bible the war, tried the spider hole. at 3 million, including 1 million “reactionary elements.” They care Then there’s a tour where you can combat troops. only about the growing economy has perfect pitch and an incredible with us, and her strong harmony Then shall the earth yield crawl through what’s left of a real An enemy willing to take that and feeding their families. talent. added to what, in my humble opin- her increase; and God, even tunnel. Just going down there and kind of losses and continue fighting The same might be said of this His friendly nature and humble ion, was a pretty awesome sound. our own God, shall bless us. looking creeped me out. will wear any power down. country. demeanor made him someone we All in all, it was a great weekend. Psalm 67:6 wanted to know better. And the Adding to the fun was my friend Americans and the French be- So the U.S., under the old conser- And if you want to know who won fore them had a different name for vative Richard Nixon, just pulled the war, look around at Cu Chi or the this area. They called it the Iron out. Support for the war was gone. airport shops, anywhere in Vietnam. Triangle, an area so difficult and so Peggy Hutchinson, who was with us Cynthia marveled at the fact that fortified that it denied all attempts on the trip, was a pioneering woman everything is priced, not in dong or to subdue it. journalist in the ’60s and ’70s, one francs or euros, but in dollars. The Americans tried, mounting of the first women combat reporters. “Maybe we did win,” she said. Serving Oberlin and Decatur County since 1879 three major offensives through She recalled being on the roof of the Or looking at the bustling suburbs Caravelle Hotel downtown watch- of this city of 7 million, with their Phone: (785) 475-2206 Fax (785) 475-2800 the zone in 1966 and 1967. One USPS 401-600 division-level sweep involved more ing as the communists rolled in to new wide roads and LED traffic 170 S. Penn Ave., Oberlin, Kan. 67749-2243 E-mail: [email protected] than 16,000 troops. B-52s tried to take Saigon. signals and herds of motor scooters, Published each Wednesday by Haynes Publish- carpet bomb the tunnels. American “They were shooting people and maybe in the end, everybody won. ing Co., 170 S. Penn Ave., Oberlin, Kan. 67749. Nor’West Newspapers troops known as tunnel rats crawled in to demolish them. Periodicals mail postage paid at Oberlin, Kan. STAFF Steve Haynes...... editor But eventually, the Americans 67749. moved on and the communists Alumnus likes name Steve and Cynthia Haynes, publishers Kimberly Davis...... managing editor Mary Lou Olson...... society editor rebuilt the tunnels. The Americans Official newspaper of Oberlin, Jennings, Nor- even built a division firebase on the To the Editor: catur, Dresden and Decatur County. Member of Judy Jordan...... proofreader south end of the complex to block I would like to thank you for your Letter the Kansas Press Association, National News- Carolyn Kelley-Plotts...... columnist attacks on Saigon. editorial on a potential name change paper Association, Colorado Press Association, Cynthia Haynes...... business manager Today, guides point out that it was for Fort Hays State University. David Bergling...... advertising manager located partly over one tunnel. The I attended Fort Hays for three to the Editor Press Association and Inland Press years prior to transferring to the Association. Pat Cozad...... want ads/circulation Vietnamese brag that the Americans Karla Jones...... advertising production never figured out how the guerrillas University of Kansas for my senior change when I receive the next Subscriptions: One year, $33 (tax included) in Decatur, Norton, Joan Betts...... historian could pop up right in their midst. year. I was not aware that President Rawlins, Sheridan, Thomas and Red Willow counties; $38 (tax For a generation that lived through Ed Hammond had suggested a name call! I will also write to express my included) elsewhere in Kansas; $42 elsewhere in the U.S. Foreign Jim Merriott...... sports reporter what is known here as the American change and appreciate knowing displeasure at any name change due subscriptions, $50-$250 (in US dollars only) extra per year (except to the very reasons listed in your APO/FPO). POSTMASTER: Send change of address to 170 S. War, it’s more than a little strange to this is going on, since I live out of Penn Ave., Oberlin, Kan. 67749-2243. be here — in the midst of a green, state. editorial. relatively prosperous and booming As an alumnae of the university, I Kay Harold Office hours: 8:30 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri. country — and hear all this from the receive regular calls for donations. I 1926 Highland Ct. (Also open most Saturdays when someone is in.) “other” side. will be sure to add my voice to those Clinton, 52732 The departure of the Americans who are NOT in favor of any name

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