Team Colors for 2001

[Eric Tarnowski]

As an extremely patriotic American I must express my opinion about the idea of not putting American flags or colors on our shirts and maybe even switching to United Nations colors or flags. I think that it is absurd to not wear American flags or colors just because not everyone is from America. We are not forcing teams to comply with this, it is only an idea. In fact, I encourage any teams from other countries to wear their flags or colors on their shirts. I am proud to be an American, and I am sure they are proud to be citizens of their respective nations. We cannot tippie-toe around and be affraid to show our unity and pride on the basis that it might be offensive. Patriotism is not a crime.

As far as switching to United Nations flags or colors goes, I am totally against it. The United Nations is not a country or government, it is an organization of member states...individual member states. On top of that, countries such as Afghanistan (the country harboring Bin Ladin and his terrorist network), Sudan, Iran, and Iraq--countries on America's list of countries that support terrorism--are members of the United Nations. To wear a UN flag on our shirts would not achieve the goal of the entire idea, the idea that we are united behind OUR country.

As of today, the United States of America is involved in a military conflict with some of those who support terrorism. American men and women are putting their lives on the line half way around the world to protect all of us from the dangers that became so brutally apparent on September 11. We should not be ashamed to show them that we appreciate what they are doing or at least that we sympathise with those directly affected by the attacks. We must stand proud and united behind our country and the liberty and justice it represents.

Eric