Editorial: Threats not related at all to patriotism

Monday, April 14, 2003 | 9:18 a.m.

Perhaps the people calling in threats to French restaurants in Las Vegas think of themselves as patriots because France is not supporting the United States over the war in Iraq. They are deluded. Their behavior is criminal, not patriotic. A threat against one French restaurant in town has been turned over to Metro Police, which is investigating. Two other owners of French restaurants say they, too, have received threatening messages.

It can be considered patriotic for people to write congressmen or this newspaper or to peaceably demonstrate -- no matter what position they take on an issue. But to oppose France's position by threatening someone is the opposite of being patriotic. People show their patriotism by obeying the law, not breaking it. Assaults and threats show a total lack of respect for this country and everything it stands for.

We have a more tolerant view, however, of people who express themselves by arguing for economic boycotts. One reason France was opposed to a war in Iraq was because it has many economic ties to that country. If individual Americans wish to sever their own economic ties with France as a form of protest, that is their right. The people who are attending the Regional Transportation Commission's meetings to protest the purchase of 10 French buses, for example, have a right to do so. We are not opposed to the purchase ourselves, but support people availing themselves of their right to express views at public meetings. Those who legally protest and those who threaten show the difference between patriotism and criminal behavior.