American Legion Is "Extremist"

I really must find Norah O'Donnell's phone number to tell her that, if she really wants to go on national television and describe a group of people as "extremists," it would be the American Legion.

As my column from yesterday noted, that fine group of patriots voted at their annual convention this week to use any means necessary to "ensure the united backing of the American people to support our troops and the global war on terrorism."

"The American Legion will stand against anyone and any group that would demoralize our troops, or worse, endanger their lives by encouraging terrorists to continue their cowardly attacks against freedom-loving peoples," said Thomas Cadmus, national commander of the American Legion.

Sorry, Tom, but your unpatriotic thoughts are well out of the American mainstream.

In an Associated Press/Ipsos poll published today, an overwhelming majority of Americans say that you're dead wrong and that critics of the Iraq war should be free to voice their objections – to the tune of 90 percent thinking you are full of crap.

"Part of the Constitution is the First Amendment," said Mike Malone, a salesman from Odessa, Fla. "We have the right to disagree with the government."

Wow. Deep thinking, isn't it, Mr. Cadmus?

More on the AP/Ipsos poll in a while...