Paul Evans: Not your usual progressive tirade

T.A. Barnhart

Paul Evans is a good guy. He's the former Mayor of Monmouth, an officer in the Oregon Air National Guard with multiple tours of Iraq and Afghanistan, and he served as Gov Kulongoski's lead on veterans affairs. Among other things. He's not a hawk, but he does support the proper use of the nation's military -- and has put his own skin into that game, as they say.

He also is a passionate citizen. He sends to those of us on his mailing list the occasional missive, reflections on current events and his take on these. Today he sent out a lenghty, passionate and, frankly, angry email on the topic of "treason":

Over the past few weeks the term, "treason" has been tossed about. ... [T]reason conveys a specific meaning: betrayal of country, placement of self above service, and willful participation in conspiracy against the government. In simplest terms, it means knowingly working against our America. ... Few among us are truly working against our America - most of the time we just have a different approach - we favor different means in pursuit of the same ends. That said, there are a few among us working against our ideals. These people dishonor our flag, even as they blanket themselves within it.

We've heard that last bit before; in fact, we hear it a lot from those on the right. We even hear the President being charged of not loving America and working against it. But that's not what Evans is saying:

But the pitiful few have determined it is in their interest to constrain our economy. And in so doing, have acted against us all - restricting the growth of our economic recovery through constraining access to capital and credit for small businesses across the nation. Purposeful disruption of our economic security is nothing less than a clear and present danger to the United States of America. Further, sabotage - willful sabotage - of our industrial economy is conspiracy that threatens government - Our Government.

No, this is not your usual progressive message. Perhaps it takes someone who has been to Iraq and Afghanistan multiple times wearing the uniform to say this. It's a message that will resonate with progressives, even if the form of the message is not quite what we're used to hearing:

Today, those shouting so loudly and often in public about the value of faith, family, and country are too often working in private to destroy our America. We can still turn the tide, but it will take a new level of earnestness; it will take a clear-eyed focus upon the remedy for meaningful change. Let us throw the moneychangers from our American temple. Let us all work toward a time when our secular cathedral is a place where men and women of all partisan perspectives work together for progress. Let us renew our faith in the values that made our America: hard work, individual responsibility, shared sacrifice, and collaboration.

Not the way I would have written it, but I've not walked in Paul Evans' shoes. He wears the boots of an Air Force officer, and he knows exactly the real cost of going to war -- a war that, as he notes, was built on lies.

It's a strong message, a tough message, but it's worth reading and sharing. The full text is after the break.

Dear Friend,

Over the past few weeks the term, "treason" has been tossed about.

It is a serious charge, it merits a thoughtful analysis.

For treason conveys a specific meaning: betrayal of country, placement of self above service, and willful participation in conspiracy against the government.

In simplest terms, it means knowingly working against our America.

And while we must be cautious of painting with a broad brush, we must not be blind to the savage devastation that treason can wreak.

The vast majority of us know that passionate discourse is a strength of our democracy, not a weakness.

Few among us are truly working against our America - most of the time we just have a different approach - we favor different means in pursuit of the same ends.

That said, there are a few among us working against our ideals. These people dishonor our flag, even as they blanket themselves within it.

Not long ago, this was on display as a powerful few exploited the national debt ceiling debate to come to the aid of the privileged, at the expense of our America.

These same few sold our America on a war of choice.

These same few cut taxes on the wealthiest among us, established a prescription drug program that denies government the capacity to leverage market power for the benefit of real Americans, and then rewrote the policies of Wall Street - while forcing Main Street to pay the tab.

These few apparently cannot distinguish between real people and corporation (people); these few openly reward companies that shutter factory doors in our America and keep working capital overseas.

It is outrageous that over $1.3 Trillion in available capital remains "parked" outside our economy. These funds could and should ignite a new manufacturing renaissance.

But the pitiful few have determined it is in their interest to constrain our economy. And in so doing, have acted against us all - restricting the growth of our economic recovery through constraining access to capital and credit for small businesses across the nation.

Purposeful disruption of our economic security is nothing less than a clear and present danger to the United States of America.

Further, sabotage - willful sabotage - of our industrial economy is conspiracy that threatens government - Our Government.

Our back is against the wall, a time for patriots to answer the call of history.

Stand with our America, or stand aside.

We must be vigilant against enemies both foreign and domestic.

America deserves leaders that seek tax reform for the benefit of the many, not the privileged few.

America deserves leaders that advocate military campaigns in far-off distant lands when, and only when, absolutely necessary, not as a permanent state of war.

Americans deserve responsible, thoughtful oversight, a nation where legislation like Dodd-Frank can be implemented in an effective, timely manner.

As a veteran that believes in our America I am frustrated with our circumstances.

Political opposition is itself neither treason, nor even wrong. I wear the uniform of our country to protect the right of people to shout aloud - freely - everything I disagree with.

However, perpetuating the growing malignancy within the body politic that seems fixated on rupturing our union and discarding our ideals - is treasonous.

The 24/7 media frenzy has only accelerated this conflict. All too often scripted propaganda espoused by men and women through a network of seemingly limitless resources reinvent fact to support theory.

Not long ago, this formulaic misinformation was relatively subtle. This is no longer the case. We are playing to the lowest common denominator.

Ironically, our emerging Orwellian alternate-reality has given license and opportunity to those least qualified to comment about American values.

America used to be the place in the world where ordinary people could work hard, play by the rules, and change their future.

Our flag - used to mean the Peace Corps, at least as often as it meant the Marine Corps - and always for the same reasons: to protect the innocent, to lift up people in need, to showcase our values.

Today, those shouting so loudly and often in public about the value of faith, family, and country are too often working in private to destroy our America.

We can still turn the tide, but it will take a new level of earnestness; it will take a clear-eyed focus upon the remedy for meaningful change.

Let us throw the moneychangers from our American temple.

Let us all work toward a time when our secular cathedral is a place where men and women of all partisan perspectives work together for progress.

Let us renew our faith in the values that made our America: hard work, individual responsibility, shared sacrifice, and collaboration.

Let us begin anew.

Paul

By T.A. Barnhart Aug. 19, 2011