Letter: Ordinary people are heroes, too

Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2005 | 7:33 a.m.

Maybe in addition to a Presidents Day we need a national holiday for the First Amendment. Then our children could learn about our responsibility for our freedom and about the ordinary Rosa Parkses of the country, as well as about the Washingtons and Lincolns.

On Jan. 19, 2003, millions of ordinary people in this country and around the world marched in protest of the Iraq war. It was unique in history because the war had not yet started. Although the protest failed to stop the invasion, this event of historic note symbolized not just the marchers themselves but also the many people of conscience who were whistle-blowers or who would resign their government posts in protest.

There was great pressure to conform to the government propaganda. Most senators voted for war powers, but some did not. Most of the media caved in to the propaganda -- with notable exceptions.

It seems that every day we hear more stories of people who were the exceptions -- who risked or sacrificed something to tell the truth. These are the real heroes. These are the people who should be mentioned in history classes.

In a democracy we cannot be fearful followers and we cannot leave heroism to those who are larger than life. Sometimes they lie.

Jerry Bitts Las Vegas